ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED NERVE GUIDANCE CHANNELS

摘要

A medical device is disclosed for use in regenerating a severed nerve, including a tubular, biocompatible, electrically-charged membrane or guidance channel (10), having openings (12, 14) adapted to receive the ends of the severed nerve and defining a lumen (20) 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 (16, 18) in proximity to each other within the lumen of the guidance channel of the present invention and securing the nerve ends to the device.