Electrically-charged nerve guidance channels

• US 5,092,871 A
• Filed: 11/30/1990
• Issued: 03/03/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brown University
• Original Assignee: Brown University
• Inventors: Sabatini, Angelo, Aebischer, Patrick, Dario, Paolo, Valentini, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US07/600,021
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 606/76, 606/152, 606/153, 623/12, 128/419 F
• US Class Current: 606/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1128 of nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2430/32 for nerve reconstruction
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/04 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/048 obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds A61L31/041 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/14 Materials characterised by their function or physical properties , e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 27/16 Homopolymers or copolymers or vinylidene fluoride
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/92 Method or apparatus for preparing or treating prosthetic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/908 Mechanical repair performed/surgical

Abstract

A medical device is disclosed for use in regenerating a severed nerve, including a tubular, biocompatible, electrically-charged membrane or guidance channel, having openings adapted to receive the ends of the severed nerve and defining a lumen through which the nerve can regenerate. The electrically-charged membrane can further include a polymeric electret material that is electrically poled. A method for repairing a severed nerve is also disclosed and includes placing severed nerve ends in proximity to each other within the lumen of the guidance channel of the present invention and securing the nerve ends to the device.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a medical device for use in the regeneration of a severed nerve, said method comprising the steps of:

fabricating a tubular, biocompatible, polymeric membrane from a polymer having a polarizable membrane structure, said membrane having a lumen with a diameter of about 0.5 mm to 3.0 cm, and having openings adapted to receive the ends of said severed nerve and defining a lumen through which said nerve may regenerate; and

poling said membrane to produce a quasi-permanent electric charge on an inner surface of said tubular membrane.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said fabricating step further includes fabricating a biocompatible, polymeric, tubular membrane from polytetrafluoroethylene.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the poling step further includes producing a quasi-permanent, positive charge on the inner surface of said tubular membrane.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the poling step further includes producing a quasi-permanent, negative charge on the inner surface of said tubular membrane.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electrically poling said polymer further comprises producing a quasi-permanent, electric charge on the outer surface of said tubular membrane.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the poling step further includes producing a quasi-permanent, positive charge on the outer surface of said tubular membrane.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the poling step further includes producing a quasi-permanent, negative charge on the outer surface of said tubular membrane.