NERVE SCAFFOLD

Abstract

A nerve scaffold, including a membrane material and a degradable metal wire. The degradable metal wire is enclosed in the membrane material. The membrane material is biodegradable material, and includes three-dimensional pore structure. The degradable metal wire is horizontally and vertically distributed in the nerve scaffold.

Claims

1. A nerve scaffold, comprising: a membrane material; and a degradable metal wire; wherein the degradable metal wire is enclosed in the membrane material; the membrane material is biodegradable material, and comprises three-dimensional pore structure; and the degradable metal wire is horizontally and vertically distributed in the nerve scaffold.

2. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein the nerve scaffold is cylindrical, strip, or flaky in shape.

3. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein the nerve scaffold is between 4 and 30 mm in length.

4. The scaffold of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional pore structure accounts for 10-65% of the nerve scaffold.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a solid nerve scaffold comprising a degradable metal wire in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a solid nerve scaffold comprising a degradable metal wire in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0017] For further illustrating the invention, experiments detailing a solid nerve scaffold comprising a degradable metal wire are described hereinbelow combined with the drawings. It should be noted that the following examples are intended to describe and not to limit the invention.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a solid nerve scaffold comprising a degradable metal wire comprises a membrane material 1 and a degradable metal wire 2 which is enclosed in the membrane material 1. The degradable metal wire 2 is horizontally and vertically distributed in the nerve scaffold. The nerve scaffold is between 4 and 30 mm in length.

[0019] The nerve scaffold can be manufacture into desired shape as needed, in general, it is cylindrical, strip, or flaky in shape. FIG. 1 shows a cylindrical scaffold and FIG. 2 shows a flaky scaffold. It should be noted that, the shape of the nerve scaffold of the present disclosure is not limited to the above shape, and the shape of the nerve support is flexible and variable without departing from the basic conception of the invention.

[0020] The membrane material is biodegradable material, and comprises three-dimensional pore structure. The membrane material is biodegradable material selected from the group consisting of collagen, polylactic acid, chitosan, hydroxyapatite, or a composite thereof. The membrane material is originated from an animal blood vessel, lymph vessel, nerve canal, intestine, or muscle, of which the cells are extracted chemically.

[0021] The membrane material comprises three-dimensional pore structure. The three-dimensional pore structure accounts for 10-65% of the nerve scaffold, and provides space for the nerve growth.

[0022] The degradable metal wire 2 is magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron, or an alloy thereof, which can promote and guide the nerve growth.

[0023] Unless otherwise indicated, the numerical ranges involved in the invention include the end values. While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.