Brown University

Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.

Aebischer, Patrick

Valentini, Robert F.

Galletti, Pierre M.

Robert F Valentini

Patrick Aebischer

Pierre M Galletti

Paolo Dario

Angelo Sabatini

Hyun D Kim

Coated implantable prosthetic devices are disclosed. The device is a prosthetic having a gold layer on the surface to which bioactive molecules are attached through a gold-sulfhydryl bond. The devices are easy and convenient to prepare. Gold coated implantable devices are also disclosed herein. The gold coated implantable device is a prosthetic device formed of a porous non-fabric material having a surface with projections and indentations and the gold layer on the surface of the porous non-fabric material forms a uniform layer across the material such that the gold layer also forms projections and indentations.

Implantable prosthetic devices coated with bioactive molecules

A hyaluronic acid derivitized scaffold and method of forming are disclosed. The scaffolds are useful for various medical purposes such as tissue repair, tissue reconstruction and wound healing. In order to enhance these processes the scaffolds may be engineered to incorporate biologically active molecules such as BMP.

Hyaluronan based biodegradable scaffolds for tissue repair

A biocompatible implant having improved host tissue ingrowth capability and enhanced blood compatibility comprises at least one tissue-contacting surface of an electrically charged material. The electrically charged material can be further chemically modified with covalently bonded activator molecules which further promote host tissue ingrowth and adhesion to the implant and/or enhance blood compatibility.

Negatively charged polymeric electret implant

A medical device is disclosed for use in regenerating a severed nerve, including a tubular, biocompatible, electrically-charged membrane or guidance channel, having openings adapted to receive the ends of the severed nerve and defining a lumen through which the nerve can regenerate. The electrically-charged membrane can further include a polymeric electret material that is electrically poled. A method for repairing a severed nerve is also disclosed and includes placing severed nerve ends in proximity to each other within the lumen of the guidance channel of the present invention and securing the nerve ends to the device.

Electrically-charged nerve guidance channels

A medical device is disclosed for use in regenerating a severed nerve. The device includes an implantable, tubular, electrically-charged membrane having openings adapted to receive the ends of the severed nerve and a lumen having a diameter ranging from about 0.5 millimeters to about 2.0 centimeters to permit regeneration of the nerve therethrough. The membrane is fabricated such that an electric charge is exhibited at the inner membrane surface to stimulate regeneration by axonal sprouting and process extension. Also disclosed are methods for repairing a severed nerve and for preparing a medical device for use in regeneration of a severed nerve.

Devices and methods for transmitting neural signals from a proximal stump of a transected nerve to a prosthetic apparatus are disclosed employing microelectrodes, preferably conductive fiber networks, capable of sensing electrical signals from a nerve and transmitting such signals to a prosthetic apparatus; and a semipermeable guidance channel disposed about the microelectrodes. The channels include an opening adapted to receive the proximal stump of a transected nerve, such that the channel promotes the growth of the stump and the formation of an electrical connection between the transected nerve and the microelectrode.

Devices for neural signal transmission

Medical devices employing semipermeable materials, such as acrylic copolymers, polyurethane isocyanate, and other biocompatible semipermeable polymers, are disclosed for use as guidance channels in regenerating nerves. The devices can be formed by tubular semipermeable conduits adapted to receive the ends of a severed or damaged nerve. The tubular conduits define lumens through which axons can regenerate to restore motor and/or sensory functions. The guidance materials are chosen such that they are capable of allowing the diffusion of nutrients and other metabolites to the regenerating nerve site while excluding fibroblasts and other scar-forming cells. In particular, tubular channels which have a smooth inner surface and longitudinally oriented trabeculae result in significantly larger regenerated nerve cables and higher numbers of regenerated myelinated axons.

Growing community of inventors

Warwick, RI, United States of America

Robert F Valentini