The present invention relates to a decellularized nerve graft using allogeneic and heterologous nervous tissues and a method of manufacturing the same.

In the present invention, by using a low-concentration basic solution and a surfactant as a decellularization solution, cell and tissue toxicity caused by a solvent or surfactant remaining in the tissue may be minimized by minimizing the use of a basic solution and an anionic surfactant in the entire manufacturing process. In addition, a peristaltic pump may be used to maintain the tissue structure and effectively remove lipid and cells.

A method of treating a spinal cord injury in a subject in need thereof is disclosed. The method comprises implanting a scaffold into the spinal cord of a subject, wherein the scaffold is seeded with oral mucosa stem cells (OMSC) and/or cells that have been ex vivo differentiated from said OMSCs, thereby treating the spinal cord injury.

Provided herein are biocompatible scaffolds engineered to convey growth stimulatory light to cells and augment their growth on the scaffolds both in vitro and in vivo. Also provide are methods of modifying biocompatible transparent waveguides to control delivery of light from the waveguide material.

A method of producing an acellular peripheral nerve graft comprises the steps of providing a section of peripheral nerve, primary treatment of the section of peripheral nerve comprising freezing and then thawing the section of peripheral nerve, freeze-drying the thawed section of peripheral nerve longitudinally to introduce longitudinal pores into the section of peripheral nerve, and decellularization of the section of peripheral nerve comprising contacting the freeze-dried section of peripheral nerve with detergent and enzymatic decellularization agents to provide the acellular peripheral nerve graft. 9. The acellular peripheral nerve graft typically has an average pore size of at least 40 μm and a DNA content of less than 100 ng/mg.

The invention provides bioresorbable nerve guidance conduits made from polymer blends which include polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). In particular, the invention provides nerve guidance conduits having a body which comprises a polymer blend comprising: (a) from 60 to 98 wt. % of a first component which is a PHA copolymer comprising two or more different medium chain length hydroxyalkanoate monomer units; and (b) from 2 to 40 wt. % of a second component which is either a PHA homopolymer containing a short chain length hydroxyalkanoate monomer unit, or a polylactide (PLA). The invention further relates to polymer blends comprising (a) and (b).

Disclosed herein are nerve xenografts and methods of using such for repairing and/or protecting a nerve tissue in a human patient. The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to nerve xenografts derived from genetically engineered source animals, and use of such nerve xenografts for repairing and/protecting nerve tissue in a human patient, e.g., for reconstruction of large peripheral nerve gaps, treatment of spinal cord injuries and ailments, and other therapies.

This document relates to compositions containing one or more erythropoietin (EPO) polypeptides. For example, this document provides thermoresponsive compositions containing one or more EPO polypeptides and methods for using such thermoresponsive compositions as a delivery system to deliver one or more EPO polypeptides to desired tissue (e.g., to treat a nerve injury and/or a wound). In some cases, thermoresponsive compositions containing one or more EPO polypeptides can be administered (e.g., locally administered) to a mammal having a nerve injury to treat the nerve injury (e.g., to promote wound healing). In some cases, thermoresponsive compositions containing one or more EPO polypeptides can be administered (e.g., locally administered) to a mammal having a wound to treat the wound (e.g., to promote wound healing).

Methods, devices and materials are for in situ formation of an implant for treating a nerve. A treatment site is positioned within a cavity defined by a form. The form may facilitate placement of a nerve stimulating device adjacent to the nerve to facilitate nerve regeneration. An in situ forming gel may be delivered in the form to surround the nerve. Access to the nerve treatment site may be open surgical or percutaneous.

In various aspects and embodiments, the present invention provides methods for maintaining motor neuron health in the spinal cord and pro-regenerative capacity of a proximal nerve segment subsequent to a nerve injury in a subject in need thereof, the methods comprising transplanting a stretch-grown tissue engineered nerve graft (TENG) into a proximal site contacting the proximal nerve segment.

The present invention relates to a nerve suture patch having a self-healing property, and a production method thereof, and more specifically, to a self-healing nerve suture patch containing a self-healing polymer and a hydrogel, and a production method thereof. The nerve suture patch may be rapidly attached to epineurium by the adhesiveness of the hydrogel and easily suture a damaged nerve.