Continuous Alteration of the Internal Milieu of a Nerve-Guide Chamber Using an Osmotic Pump and Internal Exhaust System

Abstract

The use of non-neural conduits to span gaps in regenerating peripheral nerves has been noted in the literature for many years. An intriguing addition to this so-called entubulation repair method is the continuous instillation of neuronotrophic or growth factors into the lumen of the guide to bathe the regenerating nerve. A model is presented which uses an osmotic pump that supplies a constant, reproducible amount of solution into the lumen of a nerve guide without disrupting the regeneration process.

Peripheral nerve regeneration by microbraided poly(L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) biodegradable polymer fibers

“…6 -14 Experimental work with animals was first reported using decalcified bone as a tube. 15 Later, work on biomaterials such as collagen, 16 -20 polytetrafluoroethylene, 21 silicon, 19,22 polyethylene, [23][24][25] poly-L-lactic acid/caprolactone, 12,26 -30 polyglycolide, 31 poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), 32,33 collagen-polyglycolide, 34 and poly(phosphoester) 4,5 as nerve guide…”