Patent ID: 8257372
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M,A61P

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for providing reduced pressure from a reduced-pressure source to a defect at a tissue site of a nerve, the apparatus comprising: a nerve conduit having a generally tubular shape having walls including an exterior wall and a luminal wall surrounding the tissue site to contain fluids within a luminal space between the tissue site and the luminal wall and prevent bodily fluids from entering the luminal space; a manifold having a generally cylindrical body having surfaces including a side wall surface and two end wall surfaces, a first end wall surface of the two end wall surfaces for receiving reduced pressure, a fluid contact surface including a first portion of the surfaces of the cylindrical body other than the first end wall surface for fluid communication with the luminal space, and a support surface including a second portion of the surface of the cylindrical body other than the first end wall surface and the fluid contact surface, wherein the manifold comprises a porous material having a plurality of flow channels to deliver reduced pressure to the luminal space for providing reduced pressure therapy to the tissue site; and a support structure having a generally tubular shape for enclosing the support surface, a first end portion for coupling the first end wall surface to the reduced-pressure source, and a second end portion for coupling the manifold to the nerve conduit in a generally radial direction with respect to the luminal wall.