Electrically Stimulating Nerve Regeneration
First Claim
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1. A system for promoting nerve regeneration, wherein said system comprises:
- (a) a housing comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a plurality of segments from said distal end to said proximal end, wherein said housing defines a cavity region for nerve regeneration, and wherein each of said plurality of segments comprises an electrode;
(b) an integrated circuit configured to control at least one of said electrodes;
(c) a pump configured to release an agent into said cavity region; and
(d) a power supply configured to provide power to said integrated circuit, said at least one of said electrodes, or said pump.
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Abstract
This document pertains generally to the field of nerve regeneration and more particularly to functional recovery after nerve injury or transection. For example, this document provides a silicon chip device coupled with field effect (or other types of) transistors, growth permissive chemical substrates, and trophic molecules that together can enable the rapid and successful regeneration of injured nerves. Such devices can be used to stimulate continually the transected target tissue to create an environment that is highly conducive to growth and reinnervation.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A system for promoting nerve regeneration, wherein said system comprises:
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(a) a housing comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a plurality of segments from said distal end to said proximal end, wherein said housing defines a cavity region for nerve regeneration, and wherein each of said plurality of segments comprises an electrode;
(b) an integrated circuit configured to control at least one of said electrodes;
(c) a pump configured to release an agent into said cavity region; and
(d) a power supply configured to provide power to said integrated circuit, said at least one of said electrodes, or said pump. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for nerve regeneration, said system comprising:
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(a) a tubular housing comprising a flexible circuit substrate;
(b) an arrangement of insulated electrode tracks;
(c) one or more integrated circuits for controlling an electrode of said arrangement;
(d) a power source to provide said one or more integrated circuits with sufficient voltage to drive an electrode of said arrangement, thereby forming an electric field within said tubular housing;
(e) an integrated micro-pump for supplying at least one agent to a region within said tubular housing;
(f) an external power source; and
(g) an external microcomputer. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for promoting nerve regeneration in a mammal having an injured nerve, wherein said method comprises:
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(a) obtaining a system comprising;
(i) a housing comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a plurality of segments from said distal end to said proximal end, wherein said housing defines a cavity region for nerve regeneration, and wherein each of said plurality of segments comprises an electrode;
(ii) an integrated circuit configured to control at least one of said electrodes;
(iii) a pump configured to release an agent into said cavity region; and
(iv) a power supply configured to provide power to said integrated circuit, said at least one of said electrodes, or said pump; and
(b) placing an end of said injured nerve into or proximal to said distal end of said housing. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49)
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Specification