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US 2019/0282236 A1Published application
Carbon nanofiber yarn nerve scaffold
AssigneeLintec of America, Inc.
InventorsAkira KODAMA, Masakazu ISHIKAWA, Marcio D. LIMA
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Abstract
Nerve scaffolds are described that include a tubular outer housing fabricated from a biocompatible polymer, within which are disposed a plurality of carbon nanofiber yarns. The carbon nanofiber yarns, which can be separated by distances roughly corresponding to an average nerve fiber diameter, provide surfaces on which nerve fibers can regrow. Because the proximate carbon nanofiber yarns can support individual nerve fibers, a nerve can be regenerated with a reduced likelihood of undesirable outcomes, such as nerve pain or reduced nerve function.
Claims20
A nerve scaffold comprising:
- a tube having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the tube defining an interior region having a first diameter, the tube comprising a biocompatible material;
- and
- a bundle of nanofiber yarns disposed within the interior region of the tube and extending from the first end of the tube to the second end of the tube, wherein,
- the nanofiber yarns of the bundle of nanofiber yarns define a plurality of interstitial spaces between proximate nanofiber yarns that form at least one continuous pathway from the first end of the tube to the second end of the tube.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.