EP0261833A2
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EP
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Apparatus for mammalian nerve regeneration
Assignee: American Biointerface Corp
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Filing: 1987-09-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-09-08
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to in vivo mammalian nerve regeneration of a damaged nerve, using an electric current through the damaged nerve while the nerve ends are abutted against one another, sutured together, or spaced apart from each other. The apparatus (20), which includes a nerve guide tube (32), is implantable in a human body (24) so that electric current passing through a pair of wires (28, 30) from a combined battery and resistor (26) can be maintained for an extended period of time to produce regeneration of the damaged nerve (22).
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Frank Zanakis
- 👤 Bruce Jeffrey Albala
- 👤 Philip Anthony Femano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
An apparatus for in vivo mammalian nerve regeneration of a damaged nerve having proximal and distal nerve ends, comprising means between said proximal and distal nerve ends to maintain the nerve ends in proximity to each other, and means to produce an electric current from the proximal nerve end to the distal nerve end at a level, direction and for a period of time to produce nerve regeneration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
An apparatus for in vivo mammalian nerve regeneration of a damaged nerve having proximal and distal nerve ends, comprising means between said proximal and distal nerve ends to maintain the nerve ends in proximity to each other, and means to produce an electric current from the proximal nerve end to the distal nerve end at a level, direction and for a period of time to produce nerve regeneration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said means to produce an electric current comprises a battery and two wires coupled to the battery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein said means to produce an electric current further comprises a resistor in series electrical connection with said battery.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of any of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising a nerve guide means proximate the nerve ends to enhance the growth and regeneration of said damaged nerve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of Claim 4, wherein said nerve guide means comprises a hollow cylinder adapted to be proximate said damaged nerve.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus implantable in a human body for regenerating a damaged nerve having proximal and distal nerve ends, comprising nerve guide means adapted to extend between said proximal and distal nerve ends, and a pair of wires having one ends respectively adapted to be in contact with said proximal and distal nerve ends, and means coupled respectively to the opposite ends of said wires to cause electric current to flow through said nerves for a time sufficient to produce nerve regeneration.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus implantable in a human body for regenerating a damaged nerve having proximal and distal nerve ends, comprising nerve guide means adapted to extend between said proximal and distal nerve ends, and a pair of wires having one ends respectively adapted to be in contact with said proximal and distal nerve ends, and means coupled respectively to the opposite ends of said wires to cause electric current to flow through said nerves for a time sufficient to produce nerve regeneration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein said nerve guide means comprises a hollow cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of Claim 7, further comprising a second hollow cylinder connected to said first cylinder at a generally perpendicular angle and providing a conduit for said wires.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for in vivo mammalian nerve regeneration of a damaged nerve having proximal and distal nerve ends, comprising a nerve guide means adapted to extend between said proximal and distal nerve ends, and means at least partially supported on said nerve guide means to produce an electrical current from said proximal nerve end to said distal nerve end at a level, direction and for a time to produce nerve regeneration.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for in vivo mammalian nerve regeneration of a damaged nerve having proximal and distal nerve ends, comprising a nerve guide means adapted to extend between said proximal and distal nerve ends, and means at least partially supported on said nerve guide means to produce an electrical current from said proximal nerve end to said distal nerve end at a level, direction and for a time to produce nerve regeneration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of Claim 9, wherein said means to produce an electric current comprises a battery, a pair of wires having their one ends respectively coupled to said battery and their other ends adapted to be coupled respectively to said proximal and distal nerve ends.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of Claim 10, wherein said means to produce an electric current further comprises a resistor in series electrical connection with said battery.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of any of Claims 9 to 11, wherein said nerve guide means comprises a hollow cylinder adapted to be proximate to said damaged nerve.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus implantable in a human body for regenerating a damaged nerve having proximal and distal nerve ends, comprising nerve guide means adapted to extend between said proximal and distal nerve ends, a pair of wires having their one ends respectively adapted to be in contact with said proximal and distal nerve ends, and means to produce an electric current coupled to the appropriate ends of said wires to cause electric current to flow through said damaged nerve for a time sufficient to produce nerve regeneration.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus implantable in a human body for regenerating a damaged nerve having proximal and distal nerve ends, comprising nerve guide means adapted to extend between said proximal and distal nerve ends, a pair of wires having their one ends respectively adapted to be in contact with said proximal and distal nerve ends, and means to produce an electric current coupled to the appropriate ends of said wires to cause electric current to flow through said damaged nerve for a time sufficient to produce nerve regeneration.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of in vivo mammalian nerve regeneration of a damaged nerve having proximal and distal nerve ends, comprising bringing said proximal and distal nerve ends into proximity with each other and thereafter producing an electric current from said proximal nerve end to the distal nerve end at a level and for a period of time to produce nerve regeneration; preferably further comprising producing the electric current for a period of time, thereafter discontinuing the electric current, and subsequently continuing the electric current for a period of time; and preferably further comprising positioning a nerve guide means proximate said damaged nerve subsequent to suturing said proximal and distal nerve ends; the method preferably comprising positioning a nerve guide means proximate said proximal and distal nerve ends and concurrently producing an electric current from said proximal nerve end to said distal nerve end at a level and for a period of time to produce nerve regeneration; and wherein the electric current is preferably maintained for at least about one week.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of in vivo mammalian nerve regeneration of a damaged nerve having proximal and distal nerve ends, comprising bringing said proximal and distal nerve ends into proximity with each other and thereafter producing an electric current from said proximal nerve end to the distal nerve end at a level and for a period of time to produce nerve regeneration; preferably further comprising producing the electric current for a period of time, thereafter discontinuing the electric current, and subsequently continuing the electric current for a period of time; and preferably further comprising positioning a nerve guide means proximate said damaged nerve subsequent to suturing said proximal and distal nerve ends; the method preferably comprising positioning a nerve guide means proximate said proximal and distal nerve ends and concurrently producing an electric current from said proximal nerve end to said distal nerve end at a level and for a period of time to produce nerve regeneration; and wherein the electric current is preferably maintained for at least about one week.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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