Materials and methods for nerve grafting, selection of nerve grafts, and in vitro nerve tissue culture
First Claim
1. A method for preparing nerve tissue for use as nerve grafts, wherein said method comprises culturing the nerve tissue in vitro under conditions that permit the nerve tissue to grow in vitro and increase the neurite-promoting activity of the nerve tissue when subsequently implanted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The subject invention pertains to compositions and methods for culturing nerve tissue in vitro and nerve grafts produced using such methods. The compositions and methods of the subject invention can be employed to restore the continuity of nerve interrupted by disease, traumatic events or surgical procedures. The invention also concerns methods for promoting repair of damaged nerve tissue using the present compositions and nerve tissue treated according to such methods.
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Citations
132 Claims
- 1. A method for preparing nerve tissue for use as nerve grafts, wherein said method comprises culturing the nerve tissue in vitro under conditions that permit the nerve tissue to grow in vitro and increase the neurite-promoting activity of the nerve tissue when subsequently implanted.
- 38. A method for enhancing the regenerative potential of nerve tissue for use as nerve grafts, wherein said method comprises culturing the nerve tissue in vitro for a period of time within the range of about 24 hours to about 96 hours.
- 57. A nerve graft comprising nerve tissue prepared by a method comprising culturing the nerve tissue in vitro under conditions that permit the nerve tissue to grow in vitro and increase the neurite-promoting activity of the nerve tissue when subsequently implanted.
- 83. A method for promoting repair of a damaged nerve comprising implanting a nerve graft at the site of damage, wherein the nerve graft has been prepared by a process comprising culturing the nerve graft in vitro under conditions that permit the nerve graft to grow in vitro and increase the neurite-promoting activity of the nerve graft when subsequently implanted.
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116. A method of providing nerve grafts for implantation into a damaged nerve of a potential nerve graft recipient, wherein the damaged nerve comprises a proximal nerve stump, and wherein said method comprises:
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(a) determining the cross-sectional characteristics of the potential recipient'"'"'s proximal nerve stump;
(b) comparing the cross-sectional characteristics of the potential recipient'"'"'s proximal nerve stump with the cross-sectional characteristics of a plurality of candidate donor nerve grafts; and
(c) selecting a candidate donor nerve graft having cross-sectional characteristics similar to cross-sectional characteristics of the potential recipient'"'"'s proximal nerve stump. - View Dependent Claims (117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132)
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Specification