Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-9345486-B2
Publication Date
2016-05-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A hollow fibrous conduit for promoting regeneration of a severed nerve, comprising a first end for coapting the conduit to a first end of a severed nerve and second end for coapting the conduit to a second end of the severed nerve, the hollow fibrous conduit comprising chitosan-poly(caprolactone) fibers. Methods for making the conduit and methods for using the conduit for nerve regeneration.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a hollow fibrous conduit for promoting regeneration of a severed nerve. The conduit includes a first end configured for coapting the conduit to a first end of a severed nerve and a second end configured for coapting the conduit to a second end of the severed nerve. The conduit comprises chitosan-poly(caprolactone) nanofibers comprising about 20 to about 80 percent by weight chitosan and about 80 to about 20 percent by weight poly(caprolactone).
The chitosan-poly(caprolactone) nanofibers are described as a miscible polymer blend prepared from a chitosan-poly(caprolactone) solution suitable for electrospinning. The blend is presented as having low phase segregation based on TEM, WAXS, DSC, and FTIR. The document also describes the conduit formed from the nanofibers as stable in lysozyme-rich PBS over up to 1 month, as characterized by SEM/TEM/DSC/FTIR.
The document further describes improved neuronal-cell and neurite-supporting behavior in vitro, using Schwann cells and PC12 comparisons versus PCL/PLGA and controls. It also reports in vivo rat sciatic defect histology showing nerve regeneration using chitosan:PCL=40:60 conduits. Optional neurotrophic agents for enhancing regeneration are also described, including FK506, growth factors, cytokines, small molecules, and other specified bioactive agents.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims. The core coverage is the miscible chitosan-poly(caprolactone) composition suitable for electrospinning, constrained to about 20 to about 80 percent by weight chitosan and about 80 to about 20 percent by weight poly(caprolactone), with one claim applying this nanofiber composition within a hollow fibrous conduit configured for coapting to severed nerve ends.
Hollow fibrous conduit for severed nerve coaptation with miscible chitosan-poly(caprolactone) nanofibers
A hollow fibrous conduit for promoting regeneration of a severed nerve comprising a first end capable of coapting the conduit to a first end of a severed nerve and a second end capable of coapting the conduit to a second end of the severed nerve, wherein the hollow fibrous conduit comprises chitosan-poly(caprolactone) nanofibers comprising about 20 to about 80 percent by weight chitosan and about 80 to about 20 percent by weight poly(caprolactone), and wherein the chitosan-poly(caprolactone) nanofibers are a miscible polymer blend prepared from a chitosan-poly(caprolactone) solution suitable for electrospinning.
Miscible chitosan-poly(caprolactone) nanofiber prepared from an electrospinning-suitable polymer blend
A chitosan-poly(caprolactone) nanofiber comprising from about 20 to about 80 percent by weight chitosan and from about 80 to about 20 percent by weight poly(caprolactone), wherein the chitosan-poly(caprolactone) nanofiber is a miscible polymer blend prepared from a chitosan-poly(caprolactone) solution that is suitable for electrospinning.
Across the independent claims, the inventive features center on the miscible chitosan-poly(caprolactone) composition suitable for electrospinning, with one claim directed to a hollow fibrous conduit for severed nerve coaptation and regeneration.
Stated Advantages
Improved neuronal-cell and neurite-supporting behavior in vitro.
Stability in lysozyme-rich PBS over up to 1 month, as characterized by SEM/TEM/DSC/FTIR.
Nerve regeneration in vivo in a rat sciatic defect histology model, using chitosan:PCL=40:60 conduits.
Low phase segregation or miscibility of the polymer blend as characterized by TEM, WAXS, DSC, and FTIR.
Documented Applications
Promoting regeneration of a severed nerve by using a hollow fibrous conduit configured for coapting to proximal and distal severed nerve ends.
In vitro assessment using Schwann cells and PC12 with neuronal-cell and neurite-supporting behavior comparisons versus PCL/PLGA and controls.
In vivo evaluation using a rat sciatic nerve defect model with nerve regeneration assessed by histology.
Interested in licensing this patent?