The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 17, 2000
Filed:
May. 22, 1998
Alan A Halpern, Kalamazoo, MI (US);
Other;
Abstract
A severed or otherwise interrupted spinal cord or peripheral nerve is provided with magnetic nanoparticles which are absorbed or actively incorporated into the neurons and their axons. The severed or otherwise interrupted nerve or cord is then exposed to an external magnetic field which is moved longitudinally of the severed or otherwise interrupted nerve or spinal cord, thereby stretching the magnetic particle-loaded neurons and their axons along the desired axis for bridging the gap or gaps and repairing the injured spinal cord or nerve. The procedure may be repeated to extend the area of repair. The severed or otherwise interrupted spinal cord or peripheral nerve is advantageously provided, either internally or alongside, with an insert comprising multiple strands of biodegradable material having magnetic particles oriented along the axis thereof, for focusing and concentrating the external magnetic field in the desired axis. Magnetic particles tagged with substances which are biologically incorporated into neurons and their axons may be employed to increase the absorption of the magnetic particles into the cells and/or to stimulate the growth activities of the cell.