Patent ID: 6238688
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: A61B,A61K,A61L,C08J,C08L

Abstract:
A method for joining a first nerve segment and a second nerve segment of a nerve system in vivo in a warm-blooded animal comprising the steps of:(a) providing a tube comprising a thermally responsive polymer gel composition comprising:a hydrophobic polymer matrix; andan interpenetrating hydrophilic polymer network disposed within said hydrophobic polymer matrix, wherein said polymer gel composition has an enhanced thermal responsiveness as compared to the hydrophobic polymer matrix alone;the tube having a first end and second end, and an internal lumen therebetween, and the tube being maintained at a temperature lower than a shrinking temperature of the polymer gel composition;(b) providing a nerve system comprising a first nerve segment having an end and a second nerve segment having an end, said first and second nerve segments being within a warm-blooded animal having a minimal internal ambient temperature that is greater that the shrinking temperature of the polymer gel composition;(c) inserting the end of the first nerve segment into the first end of the tube and through the tube such that the end of the first nerve segment emerges form the second end of the tube;(d) connecting the end of the first nerve segment with the end of the second nerve segment with at least one surgical stitch;(e) positioning the tube over the ends of the first and second nerve segments; and(f) maintaining the tube in position until the temperature of the tube equilibrates with the internal ambient temperature of the animal and shrinks onto the nerve segments, thereby joining the first and second nerve segments.