Manufacturing device of nerve conduits
Inventors
Park, Ki Woong • Chung, Ku Chan • Hyun, Jung Keun • Kim, Jong Wan
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11040498-B2
Publication Date
2021-06-22
Expiration Date
2037-07-14
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a nerve conduit, more particularly to an apparatus for manufacturing a porous nerve conduit using glass fibers whereby microchannels are formed using the space between the glass fibers and the defective rate and location-dependent variation of each nerve conduit can be minimized through uniform decompression during the manufacture. The nerve conduit manufactured according to the present disclosure can be manufactured to have various diameters and lengths to be applicable to in vitro and in vivo researches on nerves.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a porous nerve conduit using glass fibers. The apparatus includes a container with upper and lower channels into which a plurality of glass fibers are inserted, a polymer material injection means to inject polymer into the container, and a vacuum application means that applies vacuum inside the container. The vacuum application means incorporates a vacuum pump, vacuum tank, distribution vacuum controller, and a vacuum chamber, configured to apply vacuum at a uniform rate to minimize defects and location-dependent variation in the nerve conduit produced.
The method utilizes these components to insert the glass fibers into a container, inject a polymer solution, and infiltrate this polymer material between the glass fibers by applying vacuum via the channels. Subsequently, the glass fibers are separated and dissolved by immersion in water, resulting in microchannels formed from the spaces left by the removed glass fibers and micropores formed within the nerve conduit as solvent is leached out. This process provides nerve conduits with defined microchannels and micropores, enabling control over diameter and length suitable for in vitro and in vivo nerve research.
The problem addressed by this invention arises from the shortcomings of existing nerve conduits used to restore peripheral nerve function after injury. Existing solutions such as autogenous nerve grafting have limitations including mismatched thickness and shape, scarcity of donor nerves, and functional decline at donor sites. Current natural polymer conduits often face challenges like difficult storage, high cost, and low tensile strength in vivo; synthetic polymer conduits, while structurally stable, lack easy control of physical properties and hinder body fluid exchange. Previous attempts using glass fibers did not address the issue of body fluid exchange adequately. The invention solves these by manufacturing a porous nerve conduit with controlled microchannels and micropores that facilitate nerve regeneration and fluid exchange while minimizing defects during production.
Claims Coverage
The patent discloses one independent claim detailing an apparatus for manufacturing porous nerve conduits with specific structural and functional features.
Cylindrical container with bottleneck forming sloped upper and lower channels
The apparatus includes a cylindrical container with a bottleneck that forms upper channels configured to accept multiple soluble glass fibers and lower channels narrower than the upper channels, these channels being sloped with a discontinuous angle to maintain fiber placement and spacing.
Polymer material injection means
The apparatus comprises a means to inject a polymer material into the container to infiltrate spaces between glass fibers.
Vacuum application means to maintain constant pressure during vacuum application
The vacuum application means automatically maintains constant pressure while applying vacuum inside the container and consists of a vacuum pump connected to a vacuum tank, a distribution vacuum controller including multiple air valves, a regulator, vacuum release valves, a vacuum chamber including the container and injection means, and a pressure sensor linked to the vacuum chamber. The distribution vacuum controller connects the vacuum tank to the vacuum chamber to apply controlled vacuum.
Polymer material composition
The polymer material comprises one or more hydrophobic polymers selected from a group including collagen, gelatin, chitosan, alginate, PLGA, PLA, and others, dissolved in one or more hydrophobic solvents such as methylene chloride, chloroform, tetraglycol (TG), and similar solvents.
Microchannel and micropore formation in the nerve conduit
Microchannels are formed along the axis direction of the nerve conduit by axis-aligned insertion of glass fibers into the container, and micropores are formed in the nerve conduit as the solvent is dissolved in water after the glass fibers are removed.
The independent claim covers an apparatus designed to create porous nerve conduits with uniform microchannels and micropores by utilizing a precisely structured container, controlled polymer injection, and a vacuum system that maintains constant pressure. The apparatus supports a variety of polymers and solvents suitable for forming conduits with enhanced fluid exchange and structural properties.
Stated Advantages
The apparatus and method minimize defective rates and location-dependent variation in nerve conduits through uniform decompression, leading to consistent quality.
The manufacturing process produces nerve conduits having microchannels and micropores, facilitating body fluid exchange, which is advantageous for nerve regeneration.
The polymer solution used can remain in a solution state at room temperature due to polymer-solvent combinations, enabling easier processing without redissolution steps.
The nerve conduits produced can be manufactured in various diameters and lengths, making them adaptable for diverse in vitro and in vivo nerve research applications.
Repeated vacuum application steps enable manufacture of nerve conduits with uniform density.
Documented Applications
The porous nerve conduit manufactured is applicable to in vitro and in vivo nerve research and nerve regeneration studies.
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