Methods and Systems for Preventing Neuroma Formations

摘要

The present invention generally relates to improved medical devices, systems, and methods. In many embodiments, devices, systems, and methods for amputating a limb of a patient are provided. In many embodiments, devices, systems, and methods may provide chronic denervation of one or more nerves of a patient as part of a therapeutic treatment. The methods may employ cold for the prevention of neuromas or fibromas associated with amputation of a limb of a patient. Embodiments of the invention include needles that can be advanced through skin or other tissues to cause axonotmesis of a target nerve of the patient and to repeatedly interrupt a regeneration of the nerve so as to provide therapeutic chronic denervation of the target nerve. The therapeutic chronic denervation may delay the formation of neuromas or fibromas in a patient's residual limb and/or may provide long lasting and permanent pain relief associated with the target nerve.

主权项

1. A method of preventing neuroma formation in nerve tissue associated with transection of a nerve during a medical intervention, the method comprising:
identifying a nerve extending across a transection path which separates a distal portion of the nerve from a proximal portion of the nerve; and administering a cooling therapy to the identified nerve at a location proximal to the transection path so as to degenerate the identified nerve across the cutting path prior to, during, or within a predetermined time period after surgically transecting along the transection path to transect the identified nerve, wherein cooling the identified nerve prevents or reduces neuroma formation at a transected end of the nerve after transection of the nerve.