Electrospun nerve guides for nerve regeneration designed to modulate nerve architecture

US9572909B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Virginia Commonwealth University · US

Inventors

• David Simpson · Mechanicsville, US
• Gary Bowlin · Mechanicsville, US
• Raymond Colello · Chester, US
• Woon Chow · Glen Allen, US
• Balendu Shekhar Jha · Bethesda, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 14, 2010
• Grant date: Feb 21, 2017
• Expiry date: Jan 23, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61L2430/32
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Nerve guides which are formed from three dimensional (3D) arrays of highly aligned electrospun fibers are provided. The electrospun fibers are oriented parallel to the long axis of the guide, and gaps and elongated spaces between the stacked fiber arrays provide channels for directed axonal growth. In some embodiments, the nerve guides also comprise high precision gradients of beneficial substances such as growth factors, which aid in nerve regeneration and growth along the guide.