System for providing fluid flow to nerve tissues

A system for providing reduced pressure to a defect at a tissue site of a nerve, the system comprising:

• a pressure source for supplying the reduced pressure;
• a nerve conduit having a generally tubular shape having walls including a luminal wall surrounding the tissue site to contain fluids within a luminal space between the tissue site and the luminal wall;
• and
• a manifold in fluid communication with the pressure source and positioned within the luminal space adjacent the tissue site to distribute the reduced pressure to the defect.

A method for providing reduced pressure to a defect at a tissue site of a nerve, the method comprising:

• implanting a manifold at the tissue site for receiving the reduced pressure;
• implanting a nerve conduit having a luminal wall to surround the tissue site and the manifold for creating a luminal space between the luminal wall and the tissue site;
• sealing the nerve conduit around the tissue site to contain fluids within the luminal space;
• and
• applying reduced pressure through the manifold to the tissue site.