A biphasic material and devices comprising the same are provided for the development of conductive conduits that may be used for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury. These devices or conduits are designed such that repeated electric field gradients can be initiated to promote neurite and axonal outgrowth. Conducting conduits using doped synthetic and/or natural polymers create specifically patterned high and low conducting segmented materials, which are mechanically used to produce the electrical properties needed for nerve conduits. These electrical properties stimulate neurite outgrowth and axonal repair following a peripheral nerve transection.

The present invention provides methods and compositions useful in the regeneration of damaged, lost and/or degenerated tissue in humans and animals. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides an acellular bioabsorbable tissue regeneration matrix, methods of making such a matrix, and methods of using such a matrix for the regeneration of damaged, lost and/or degenerated tissue. In certain embodiments, methods and compositions of the present invention are useful in the treatment of damaged, lost and/or degenerated nerve tissue.

The problem of attaching a donor nerve stump to a recipient nerve for an end-to-side coaptation is solved by the use of a tissue connector. The tissue connector can have a body for receiving the donor nerve stump and one or more overflaps for attaching the tissue connector with the donor nerve stump therein to the epineurium on the side of the recipient nerve. Sutures can also be used to secure the tissue connector and nerves in place.

A composition including a temperature sensitive biocompatible solder and at least one type of nanoparticles, characterized in that a first type of nanoparticles is a fluorescent nanothermometer, wherein the fluorescent nanothermometer exhibits an excitation maximum and temperature dependent emission spectrum each in the range of between 650 and 1350 nm. The composition can be used for laser tissue soldering.

In general terms, the present invention provides an implantable bioelectronic device, the implantable bioelectronic device comprising a base material with a top layer and a bottom layer opposite the top layer, the base material comprising at least one electrical component. A biological sample seeded on the top layer of the base material. Further, the present invention also provides a method of using an implantable bioelectronic device into a body of a subject, the method comprising performing an in vitro activity for cell culture on the implantable bioelectronic device.

Provided is a non-tubular brain damage recovery material which is used to cover and/or fill a damaged part of the brain, the brain damage recovery material including: (A) a cross-linked body with which a bioabsorbable polysaccharide having a carboxyl group in a low endotoxin molecule is covalently bonded and cross-linked with at least one crosslinking reagent selected from among a compound represented by general formula (I) and salts thereof; and (B) a bioabsorbable polymer. R.sup.1HN(CH.sub.2).sub.nNHR.sup.2 (I) [in the formula, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a group represented by formula of COCH(NH.sub.2)CH.sub.2].sub.4NH.sub.2, and n represents an integer from 2 to 18]. Accordingly, provided is a medical material which can recover a damaged part of the brain.

To achieve in vivo repair of severed mammalian nerve tissue, a system can be employed to induce distraction neurogenesis. At least a portion of the system can be anchored at an injury site, such as between distal and proximal nerve ends. The system can be attached to the proximal nerve end and can place the nerve under micro-tension for an extended period of treatment. The system may also deliver medication or treatment to encourage neurogenesis and to reduce pain in the subject receiving treatment. After the course of treatment, the device can be removed from the injury site, and the nerve ends rejoined.

The present invention includes biomimetic nerve conduits that can be used as nerve regeneration pathways. The present invention further provides methods of preparing and using biomimetic nerve conduits. The disclosed compositions and methods have a broad range of potential applications, for example replacing a missing or damaged section of a nerve pathway of a mammal.

Compositions and methods for promoting tissue regeneration with gonad-derived stem cell side population cells are provided.

A method of sealing a durotomy from which cerebrospinal fluid is leaking. A durotomy sealant dressing is prepared by applying an active agent to a dextran base. The durotomy sealant dressing is applied to a durotomy. At least a portion of the durotomy sealant dressing dissolves. The durotomy is sealed with the dissolved durotomy sealant dressing to substantially prevent cerebrospinal fluid from flowing through the durotomy.