Devices and methods for treating spinal cord tissue

摘要

The present invention provides devices and methods that treat damaged spinal cord tissue, such as spinal tissue damaged by disease, infection, or trauma, which may lead to the presence of swelling, compression, and compromised blood flow secondary to interstitial edema.

主权项

1. A method for treating damaged spinal cord tissue using sub-atmospheric pressure, comprising:
i. locating a porous material proximate the damaged spinal cord tissue to provide gaseous communication between one or more pores of the porous material and the damaged spinal cord tissue; ii. sealing porous material in situ proximate the damaged spinal cord tissue to provide a region about the damaged spinal cord tissue for maintaining sub-atmospheric pressure at the damaged spinal cord tissue; iii. operably connecting a vacuum system in gaseous communication with the porous material for producing sub-atmospheric pressure at the damaged spinal cord tissue; and iv. activating the vacuum system to provide sub-atmospheric pressure at the damaged spinal cord tissue.