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US 2007/0168044 A1Published application
Self-aligning tissue growth guide
AssigneeThe Open University
InventorsJames Phillips, Robert Brown
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to artificial tissue growth guides comprising a core and an outer sleeve, which facilitates the regeneration of damaged tissues, such as nerves. The core is fixed to the sleeve at two attachment sites so that cells seeded within the core produce mechanical tension between the attachment sites. This tension aligns the cells and the fibres of the core and provides an improved substrate for tissue regeneration. Growth guides may be surgically implanted into an individual.
Claims30
A tissue growth guide comprising,
- an inner core comprising a biopolymer matrix having one or more cells positioned therein, the guide further comprising;
- an outer sheath surrounding said inner core,
- said inner core being fixed to said outer sheath at a first attachment region and a second attachment region;
- such that said cells produce mechanical tension in said core between the first and second attachment regions.
1 more element
A method of making a guide for tissue growth comprising;
- providing an outer sheath,
- introducing cells to a liquid biopolymer matrix,
- introducing said liquid matrix to the interior of the outer sheath,
- causing or allowing said liquid matrix to set;
- and,
- fixing the matrix to the sheath at a first and second attachment region.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.