Implantable nerve conduit having a polymer fiber spiral guidance channel
US9585666B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 2014 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2430/32
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A nerve guidance conduit includes a spiral structured porous sheet decorated with channels on its surface and electrospun nanofibers in a parallel alignment with the channels and an outer tubular structure including randomly-oriented nanofibers. Such a structure provides augmented surface areas for providing directional guidance and augmented surfaces for enhancing and peripheral nerve regeneration. The structure also has the mechanical and nutrient transport requirements required over long regeneration periods. To prepare a nerve guidance conduit, porous polymer sheet is prepared by a solvent casting method while using a template of thin rods to form parallel channels on a surface of the sheet. Aligned nanofibers are deposited on the sheet parallel to the channels. The polymer sheet is then wound to form a spiral structure. A dense layer of randomly-oriented nanofibers may be deposited on the outside of the spiral.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.