Method for connecting nerves via a side-to-side epineurial window using artificial conduits
First Claim
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1. A method for repairing an at least partially transected nerve, the method comprisingproviding a donor nerve and a recipient nerve, wherein the recipient nerve is at least partially transected at a proximal site;
- creating a first epineurial window in a side of the donor nerve and a second epineurial window in a side of the recipient nerve at a site distal from the proximal site;
arranging the donor nerve and the recipient nerve in a side-by-side fashion with the first and second epineurial windows proximate to one another;
positioning between the first and second epineurial windows a bridging element having first and second ends and defining a conduit; and
connecting the first end of the bridging element to the first epineurial window and the second end of the bridging element to the second epineurial window such that the first and second epineurial windows are in fluid communication with each other via the conduit to permit transmission of signals from the donor nerve to the recipient nerve.
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Abstract
The disclosure provides methods for repairing nerves and inhibiting atrophy of a muscle via a side-to side neurorraphy using a bridging element between a first epineurial window on a donor nerve and a second epineurial window on a recipient nerve.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for repairing an at least partially transected nerve, the method comprising
providing a donor nerve and a recipient nerve, wherein the recipient nerve is at least partially transected at a proximal site; -
creating a first epineurial window in a side of the donor nerve and a second epineurial window in a side of the recipient nerve at a site distal from the proximal site; arranging the donor nerve and the recipient nerve in a side-by-side fashion with the first and second epineurial windows proximate to one another; positioning between the first and second epineurial windows a bridging element having first and second ends and defining a conduit; and connecting the first end of the bridging element to the first epineurial window and the second end of the bridging element to the second epineurial window such that the first and second epineurial windows are in fluid communication with each other via the conduit to permit transmission of signals from the donor nerve to the recipient nerve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for at least partially inhibiting atrophy of a muscle that has ceased receiving signals from a nerve that has been severed, the method comprising:
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creating a first epineurial window in a side of a healthy donor nerve and a second epineurial window in a side of a recipient nerve, wherein the recipient nerve has been severed proximal the epineurial window; positioning the first and second epineurial windows of the donor nerve and the recipient nerve in a side-by-side fashion with a gap therebetween; positioning between the first and second epineurial windows a bridging element having first and second ends and defining a conduit; and connecting the first end of the bridging element to the first epineurial window and the second end of the bridging element to the second epineurial window while maintaining the gap between the first and second epineurial windows such that the first and second epineurial windows are in fluid communication with each other via the conduit, and the bridging element permits transmission of signals from the donor nerve to the muscle via the recipient nerve, thereby at least partially inhibiting atrophy of the muscle.
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19. A method for repairing peripheral nerve injuries, the method comprising
performing a side-to-side neurorraphy using a bridging element between a first epineurial window on a donor nerve and a second epineurial window on a recipient nerve, wherein the bridging element comprises first and second ends and defining a tubular conduit between the first and second ends, and wherein the bridging element bridges and maintains a gap between the first and second epineurial windows such that the first and second epineurial windows are in fluid communication with each other via the tubular conduit to permit transmission of signals from the donor nerve to the recipient nerve.
Specification