A compression and kink resistant tubular implant for nerve repair. The implant includes a tubular biopolymeric membrane and a polymeric supporting filament. Also provided is a shaped compression resistant implant for ridge augmentation in dental surgery. Methods for producing the implants are also provided.

Various systems and process for fabricating customized medical devices via the freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels process are disclosed. The mechanical properties of the fabricated objects can be controlled according to the manner or orientation in which the structure material is deposited into the support material and the three-dimensional movement of the extruder assembly. Further, the dimensions of the fabricated objects can be validated by adding a contrast agent to the structure material, obtaining a three-dimensional reconstruction of the fabricated object, and then comparing the three-dimensional reconstruction to the computer model upon which the fabricated object is based. These and other techniques are described herein.

A nerve repair conduit configured to be secured on first and second portions of a selected nerve. The nerve repair conduit includes a polymeric body having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior lumen. In addition, the nerve conduit includes at least one drug reservoir to hold agent(s) that may, for example, facilitate nerve regeneration. The drugs diffuse from the drug reservoir(s) into the nerve repair conduit through an outlet (e.g., a semipermeable membrane) in proximity to the first and second portions of a selected nerve. The nerve repair conduit may be configured to deliver the agent(s) at a rate having substantially zero-order kinetics and/or at a constant rate over a selected period of time (e.g., at least 1 week).

In one aspect, apparatuses for providing chemical gradients are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus described herein comprises a conduit having a first end and a second end, one or more microchannels disposed in the conduit and extending from the first end toward the second end, and a fiber coiled around the exterior of at least one microchannel, wherein the fiber comprises an active agent that is operable to diffuse into the interior of the microchannel.

A bioresorbable material incorporating magnesium (Mg) wires into NGCs is disclosed. The bioresorbable material includes magnesium, and a biodegradable polymer, for example, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA). The bioresorbable material can include magnesium wires incorporated into a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffold to provide both directional and biological cues in a fully bioresorbable material. A method of producing a bioresorbable material is also disclosed, which includes placing a plurality of magnesium (Mg) wires on a layer of a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) solution, placing a second layer of the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) solution on the plurality of magnesium (Mg) wires, and drying the plurality of magnesium (Mg) wires between the two layers of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) solution.

The invention generally relates to a method of regenerating a nerve fiber in a damaged neural tissue of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: administering an aqueous formulation comprising superparamagnetic particles to the damaged neural tissue in the patient; applying a magnetic field in an orientation which is parallel to the nerve fiber; using the magnetic field for aligning the superparamagnetic particles; forming one or more aligned chains of the superparamagnetic particles in the magnetic field as a scaffold to guide directional growth of regenerating nerve cells; and reconnecting damaged nerve ends in the damaged neural tissue of the patient.

A spinal cord device comprises a body formed of a biocompatible, biodegradable matrix. The body includes proximal, cranial and distal, caudal surfaces for connection to two ends of an injured spinal cord after removal of an injured section and has through channels with openings in the cranial and caudal surfaces for connection of descending motor pathways and ascending sensory pathways. The device has a transversal diameter (D.sub.t), an anteroposterior diameter (D.sub.a) and a length (L), wherein D.sub.t is from 9 to 13 mm and the ratio anteroposterior diameter/transverse diameter (RAPT) is from 0.5 to 1.0 and wherein the position and dimension of the channels, RAPT value, and cranial surface area and/or caudal surface area of the device are adopted to the shape, level, dimension of white and gray matter, and size of the injured spinal cord for optimal connection between spinal cord tracts. Kits and methods employ such devices.

The described invention provides compositions comprising at least one peptide of formula I for enhancing neurite outgrowth, neuroprotection, and nerve regeneration, and methods of use thereof.

A medical composition is disclosed, which is injectable and which comprises a mixture of native components, which are obtainable by culturing one or more cell samples from a human or animal during normal conditions, said native components being included in the group consisting of growth factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and other substances produced by said cell samples during normal conditions, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, as well as a method for producing the native components, a method for producing the medical composition, a method for treating a subject in need of tissue repair by injection of the medical composition, and use of said mixture of native components for the production of said medical composition for tissue repair via injection. A medical composition is disclosed, which is injectable and which comprises a mixture of native components, which are obtainable by culturing one or more cell samples from a human or animal during normal conditions, said native components being included in the group consisting of growth factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and other substances produced by said cell samples during normal conditions, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, as well as a method for producing the native components, a method for producing the medical composition, a method for treating a subject in need of tissue repair by injection of the medical composition, and use of said mixture of native components for the production of said medical composition for tissue repair via injection.

Compositions are provided according to aspects of the present invention which include: a plurality of longitudinally extending fibers, each of the fibers having a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of each of a majority of the fibers is generally aligned; a plurality of stem cells capable of differentiation into a central or peripheral nervous system cell, a majority of the plurality of stem cells in contact with one or more of the plurality of longitudinally extending fibers; a biocompatible hydrogel, wherein the longitudinally extending fibers and stem cells are disposed in the matrix of a biocompatible hydrogel; a therapeutic amount of a neurotrophic factor disposed in the biocompatible hydrogel, wherein the neurotrophic factor is distributed as a gradient; a plurality of olfactory ensheathing cells disposed in the biocompatible hydrogel; and a therapeutic amount of a scar inhibitor disposed in the biocompatible hydrogel.