An implantable medical device including at least one double-walled microsphere containing an active agent, and a biodegradable polymer layer containing the at least one double-walled microsphere.

A method of making an implantable neuroendoprosthetic system for transubstantiation of defects of brain, spinal cord and vegetative nervous system in a mammal in reconstructive neurosurgical operations provides a heterogeneous collagen-containing matrix for implantation, a cell preparation of autologous cells of a patient, and the cell preparation is perfused into said matrix to make an elastic cell-biopolymer biologically active mass. The cell preparation comprises placed in a NaCl solution at least one type of cells from a group comprising neural stem cells (NSC), neuroglial ensheathing cells (NGEC), endothelial cells with CD34+ marker (EC), and purified mononuclears (MN). The mass can be additionally subjected to electromagnetic radiation at 1-10 GHz before implanting.

An improved device and method for extended repair and regeneration of muscle tissue. An exemplary device comprises (a) a scaffold comprising an ECM component; (b) a combination of growth factors such as VEGF and IGF; and (c) a population of myogenic cells. Implantation of the device leads to muscle regeneration and repair over an extended period of time.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for aiding in the treatment of various reversible and irreversible neurodegenerative diseases. In some embodiments, poly(-benzyl-L-glutamate)(PBG) and/or its hydrolyzed copolymer (poly(-benzylglutamate) 80-r-(-glutamic acid)20)(PBGA) may be used to make the disclosed fibrous scaffolds, for one example by use of an electrospinning process. The disclosed materials may be biocompatible molecules, for example polypeptides. In some embodiments the disclosed materials may contain a neurotransmitter, in one embodiment glutamate. In some embodiments, the disclosed scaffolds may consist of one or more aligned fibers. In some embodiments, the scaffold may include one or more active compounds. In some embodiments, the active compound may be neuroprotective, for example a neuroprotective antibiotic. In some embodiments, the active compound may be minocycline hydrochloride (MH). In many embodiments, the disclosed scaffold may aid in stabilizing the active compound.

The present invention is directed to the compositions and methods of preparing hydrogel-grafted nerve guides for peripheral nerve regeneration. Particularly, the present invention describes the nerve guides and methods for preparation of hydrogel-grafted nerve guides with encapsulated neurotrophic factors and a nanofiber mesh lining the inner surface of the guide. The present invention also provides methods for peripheral nerve repair using these hydrogel-grafted nerve guides.

A biocompatible and biodegradable carbon nanotube-based fiber capable of stimulating and sustaining cell proliferation and stimulating and sustaining nerve regeneration is disclosed herein. The biocompatible and biodegradable carbon nanotube-based fiber comprising at least one carbon nanotube; a biodegradable copolymer; and a coagulating polymer. The present disclosure also relates to a process fro producing such a fiber.

There is described a material comprising tapes, ribbons, fibrils or fibres characterized in that each of the ribbons, fibrils or fibres have an antiparallel arrangement of peptides in a -sheet tape-like substructure.

A method for manufacturing a nerve regeneration-inducing tube with excellent pressure resistance, shape recovery property, anti-kink property, film exfoliation resistance, resistance to invasion of outer tissues, and leakage resistance. The tubular body is formed by weaving together fibers made up of biodegradable polymer. The outer surface of the tubular body is coated multiple times with a collagen solution. The lumen of the tubular body is filled with collagen. Viscosity of the collagen solution that is first applied to the outer surface of the tubular body is between 2 to 800 cps. Viscosity of the collagen solution that is subsequently applied is higher than viscosity of the first applied collagen solution.

A nerve guidance conduit includes one or more guidance channels formed as porous polymeric structures. The guidance channels are within an outer tubular structure that includes randomly-oriented nanofibers. The guidance channels may have electrospun nanofibers on their inner and outer surfaces in a parallel alignment with the guidance channels. Such aligned nanofibers may also be present on the inner surface of the outer tubular structure. The outer surfaces of the guidance channels and the inner surface of the tubular structure define additional guidance channels. Such a nerve guidance conduit provides augmented surface areas for providing directional guidance and enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration. The structure also has the mechanical and nutrient transport requirements required over long regeneration periods.

A method of creating a three-dimensional surface topography network for the containment and growth of mammalian neuron cells for high throughput screening of potential biologically active drug compounds is provided. In the present disclosure a nn array of wells is created on a carrier substrate that contains both wells and interconnected channels between wells to facilitate, in one embodiment, axon growth between neuron cells and subsequently the creation of a living interactive neuron network in vitro that emulates in vivo neuron behavior.