Abstract: The present invention provides a peripheral nerve growth conduit for peripheral nerve repair, in particular conduits through which peripheral nerves can grow. The conduit includes poly-?-caprolactone (PCL). Preferably, the inner (luminal) surface of the conduit comprises pits having a depth of 1-4?m. Suitably, the conduit may also include poly-lactic acid (PLA). The inner surface of the conduit may have been treated with an alkaline composition. The present invention also provides a method for treating a peripheral nerve damage using a peripheral nerve growth conduit including poly-?-caprolactone (PCL). The present invention also provides a kit for treating a peripheral nerve damage having a peripheral nerve growth conduit including poly-?-caprolactone (PCL).

Abstract: The present invention provides a peripheral nerve growth scaffold including poly-?-caprolactone (PCL) wherein a surface of the scaffold comprises pits (blind holes) and microgrooves, the pits covering at least 5% of the surface. In embodiments, the surface has microgrooves having an average width in the range 15-20 ?m, an average depth of about 5 ?m, and an average spacing in the range 3-6 ?m, and pits having an average area in the range 1.1-1.5 (?m)2 with 20-26% coverage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peripheral nerve growth conduit for peripheral nerve repair, in particular conduits through which peripheral nerves can grow. The conduit includes poly-?-caprolactone (PCL). Preferably, the inner (luminal) surface of the conduit comprises pits having a depth of 1-4 ?m. Suitably, the conduit may also include poly-lactic acid (PLA). The inner surface of the conduit may have been treated with an alkaline composition. The present invention also provides a method for treating a peripheral nerve damage using a peripheral nerve growth conduit including poly-?-caprolactone (PCL). The present invention also provides a kit for treating a peripheral nerve damage having a peripheral nerve growth conduit including poly-?-caprolactone (PCL).

Abstract: The present invention provides a peripheral nerve growth scaffold including poly ?-caprolactone (PCL) and microgrooves on an inner surface of the scaffold, the scaffold being adapted for use in treatment of damaged peripheral nerves. The microgrooves are suitably arranged as a pattern or array and preferably comprise sloping side walls, which arrangement has been found to provide a favourably environment for nerve and Schwann cell growth and proliferation. Experimental results demonstrate directed and aligned growth, which suitably reduces the rate of formation of neuromas. Embodiments comprising a PCL-PLA blend of the sloping side wall and a groove width greater than the spacing between adjacent grooves has been found to be particularly effective for directed cell growth and proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peripheral nerve growth conduit for peripheral nerve repair, in particular conduits through which peripheral nerves can grow. The conduit includes poly-?-caprolactone (PCL). Preferably, the inner (luminal) surface of the conduit comprises pits having a depth of 1-4 ?m. Suitably, the conduit may also include poly-lactic acid (PLA). The inner surface of the conduit may have been treated with an alkaline composition. The present invention also provides a method for treating a peripheral nerve damage using a peripheral nerve growth conduit including poly-?-caprolactone (PCL). The present invention also provides a kit for treating a peripheral nerve damage having a peripheral nerve growth conduit including poly-?-caprolactone (PCL).

Abstract: A bioresorbable fibrin-based nerve repair conduit produced from tissue glue is disclosed. The nerve repair conduit may be in the form of a sheet or a tube, and may additionally comprise a serine protease, and/or Factor XIII and/or calcium ions. The serine protease is chosen from the group consisting of trombin, plasmin, elastases, and plasminogen activators, or combinations thereof. The nerve repair conduit may moreover be loaded with Schwann cells and/or Stem cells and/or growth factors, for better nerve regeneration. Further, a method of producing the above-mentioned nerve repair conduit is provided, comprising curing fibrinogen and serine protease containing fluids in the form of a fibrinogen-containing tissue glue, in a mould equipped with a central shaft creating a channel in the nerve repair conduit when removed. Moreover, use of a fibrinogen-based tissue glue for the preparation of a fibrin-based nerve repair conduit is described.

Abstract: Nerve regeneration devices are provided with improved rates of axonal regeneration, and methods for their manufacture are also disclosed. The devices are formed from a biocompatible, absorbable polymer, known as poly-4hydroxybutyrate. Growth factors, drugs, or cells that improve nerve regeneration may be incorporated into the devices. The devices are administered by implantation preferably without the use of sutures. In one aspect, the device is in the form of a wrap that can be used easily to capture the severed nerve bundle ends during surgery, and formed into a conduit in situ. If desired, the edges of the wrap can be melted together to seal the conduit, and hold it in place A major advantage of the device is that it does not need to be removed after use since it is slowly degraded and cleared by the patient's body, yet remains functional in situ beyond the time required for nerve regeneration, and helps exclude scar tissue.

Abstract: Nerve regeneration devices are provided with improved rates of axonal regeneration, and methods for their manufacture are also disclosed. The devices are formed from a biocompatible, absorbable polymer, known as poly-4hydroxybutyrate. Growth factors, drugs, or cells that improve nerve regeneration may be incorporated into the devices. The devices are administered by implantation preferably without the use of sutures. In one aspect, the device is in the form of a wrap that can be used easily to capture the severed nerve bundle ends during surgery, and formed into a conduit in situ. If desired, the edges of the wrap can be melted together to seal the conduit, and hold it in place. A major advantage of the device is that it does not need to be removed after use since it is slowly degraded and cleared by the patient's body, yet remains functional in situ beyond the time required for nerve regeneration, and helps exclude scar tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating nerve damage involving administering to the damaged nerve an effective non-toxic amount of an MGF (mechano-growth factor) Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) isoform which includes amino acid sequences encoded by nucleic acid sequences of IGF-I exons 4, 5 and 6 in the reading frame of MGF and having the ability to reduce motoneurone loss by 20% or greater in response to nerve avulsion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating nerve damage comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective non-toxic amount of an MGF (mechano-growth factor) Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) isoform comprising amino acid sequences encoded by nucleic acid sequences of IGF-I exons 4, 5 and 6 in the reading frame of MGF and having the ability to reduce motoneurone loss by 20% or greater in response to nerve avulsion, by localisation of said MGF at the site of said damage.