Composite neural conduit
AssigneeWichita State University
InventorLi Yao
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A composite nerve conduit comprising an elongated body comprising one or more hollow elongated internal channels for guiding and promoting nerve regeneration. The conduit is a three-dimensional scaffold comprising a crosslinked hybrid/composite matrix of collagen and soy protein isolate having improved mechanical and biocompatibility properties. Methods of using the conduit for promoting nerve regeneration at a site of neural tissue damage by bridging wounded, severed, or damaged nerve sections in a peripheral and/or central nervous system. Methods of fabricating composite neural conduits are also disclosed.
Claims20
A composite nerve conduit comprising an elongated body comprising one or more hollow elongated internal channels for guiding and promoting nerve regeneration, said one or more hollow elongated internal channels defined by a sidewall comprising a crosslinked composite matrix of collagen and soy protein isolate, said body having respective first and second terminal ends, wherein said one or more internal channels extends between the first and second ends of the conduit body.
A method of fabricating a composite neural conduit, said method comprising:
- providing a biopolymer solution comprising collagen and soy protein isolate dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system;
- applying said biopolymer solution to a negative mold to form the body of the conduit, said mold including a plurality of elongated removable inserts for forming one or more hollow elongated internal channels within the body,
- solidifying the biopolymer solution to yield a crosslinked matrix comprising a composite of collagen and soy protein isolate;
- and
- removing said crosslinked matrix from said mold to yield an elongated body comprising the one or more hollow elongated internal channels extending between respective terminal ends of the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.