Method and system for nerve repair, nanoknife, mems platform and uses thereof

Abstract

Method and systems for nerve repair and for microfabrication. In specific embodiments, nerve repair is accomplished by repairing axons. In further embodiments, a modular, 3D system having very small dimensions is described. In further embodiments, a method and system for performing surgery on axons is disclosed.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method of repairing a damaged nerve in a living organism comprising:
 positioning said nerve on an axon surgical platform;   using said platform to select a first severed axon at one side of said damaged nerve;   using said platform to position said first severed axon in proximity to a second severed axon a corresponding side of said damaged nerve; and   applying a cell fusion enhancer to induce connection of said first severed axon and said second severed axon.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 using a nanoknife to cut one or more ends of said first severed axon or said second severed axon. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 wherein said positioning comprises: 
 using a micro-manipulation system to apply an electrical signal in proximity of one or more of said severed axons. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 wherein said fusion enhancer comprises: 
 one or more electrical conductors applying an electric signal in proximity of one or more of said donor axon or said selected axon. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 applying an enzyme pre-treatment digesting one or more nerve portions to allow manipulation of individual axons. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 using said axon surgical platform to harvest a donor axon segment; 
 using said platform to position said donor axon segment in proximity to said first severed axon or said second severed axon; 
 wherein said connection of said first severed axon and said second severed axon comprises connecting said first severed axon to one end of said donor axon and connecting said second severed axon to an opposite end of said donor axon. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said living animal comprises a human. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  further wherein said one or more corresponding severed axons are not necessarily matched to axon segments to which they were attached before becoming severed. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further wherein:
 said axon surgical platform enables manipulation of axons directed by a human surgeon. 
 
     
     
         19 . A method of repairing a damaged nerve in a living organism comprising:
 using an axon surgery device to select one or more severed axons in said damaged nerve;   using said axon surgery device to positioning one or more of said selected severed axons in close proximity to one or more corresponding severed axons on another side of said damaged nerve;   using said axon surgery device to inducing fusion of axons placed in proximity.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further wherein:
 said one or more corresponding severed axons are not necessarily matched to axon segments to which they were attached before becoming severed. 
 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising:
 cutting said one or more severed axons prior to said inducing. 
 
     
     
         22 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 10  further wherein:
 said axon surgical platform comprises one or more of: 
 one or more nanoknives; 
 one or more actuators for moving said nanoknives; and 
 one or more effector electrodes for moving cells and/or portions of cells. 
 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 using one or more gaskets to hold one or more nerves to be repaired, said gaskets positioned to allow said selection, manipulation, and fusion of said axons on said axon surgery platform. 
 
     
     
         31 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The method of claim  33  further comprising:
 using said one or more electrodes to deliver electric signals to orient and/or move cells and/or cell components; 
 using one or more electrodes in said axon surgical platform to deliver electric signals to induce fusion of cells and/or cell components. 
 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34  further wherein:
 one or more of said electrodes comprise an electrode array, each having at least two addressable pin/probe and/or plate electrodes. 
 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34  further wherein:
 said one or more electrodes have at least three separable modes of operation comprising:
 a positioning mode for moving cells and/or cell components; 
 a joining mode for moving two or more cells and/or cell components in proximity to each other; and 
 a fusion mode for inducing fusion of said cells and/or cell components. 
 
 
     
     
         38 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A system able to repair nerves in living animals comprising:
 a surgical frame container able to isolate a damaged nerve portion in a living subject;   said surgical frame comprising:
 one or more nerve gaskets for holding nerve portions in said frame container; 
 one or more wave guides for providing illumination within said frame container; 
 a plurality of fluid inflow and outflow channels able to maintain a desired medium with desired properties in said surgical frame container; 
 an opening able to receive a microsurgery platform and allowing access to said platform to a manipulator. 
   
     
     
         42 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said using said platform to position said first severed axon in a proximity to a selected second severed axon further comprises:
 positioning an addressable grid of electrodes above and/or below said axons and further comprising: 
 observing said axons in relation to said addressable grid of electrodes; 
 selecting one or more electrodes that will effect a desired movement of said axon; and 
 applying a predetermined energy signal to said one or more electrodes; and further comprising: 
 observing an induced movement of said axon in relation to said addressable grid of electrodes; 
 selecting an additional one or more electrodes that will effect a desired further movement of said axon; and 
 applying a predetermined energy signal to said additional one or more electrodes. 
 
     
     
         45 - 68 . (canceled)