Use of epineural sheath grafts for neural regeneration and protection

Abstract

Described herein is conduit material that causes minimal inflammatory reaction, and serves as a structural guide for regenerating nerve tissue (e.g., axons). Thus, the invention is directed to methods of treating a nerve injury in an individual in need thereof. The methods employ an isolated, naturally occurring epineural sheath, and can be used, for example, to regenerate nerve tissue in an individual in need thereof. Also provided herein is a device for harvesting an epineural sheath.

1 . A method of repairing a nerve gap having a proximal nerve stump and a distal nerve stump in an individual in need thereof, comprising
 a) attaching an isolated, naturally-occurring epineural sheath to the proximal nerve stump and to the distal nerve stump, thereby producing a nerve graft and   b) maintaining the nerve graft under conditions in which nerve tissue is regenerated between the proximal nerve stump and the distal nerve stump, thereby repairing the nerve gap.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a) attaching a flat epineural sheath to the proximal nerve stump and to the distal nerve stump, thereby producing a nerve graft; and   b) maintaining the nerve graft under conditions in which nerve tissue is regenerated between the proximal nerve stump and the distal nerve stump, thereby repairing the nerve gap.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the flat epineural sheath is attached to the proximal nerve stump using at least one suture and to the distal nerve stump using at least one suture. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the flat epineural sheath is about 2 cm to about 10 cm in length and about 1 mm to about 10 mm in width. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the nerve gap is from about 1 mm to about 10 cm. 
     
     
         6 . A method of  claim 1 , comprising
 a) attaching an isolated, naturally occurring epineural tube to the proximal nerve stump and to the distal nerve stump, thereby producing a nerve graft and   b) maintaining the nerve graft under conditions in which nerve tissue is regenerated between the proximal nerve stump and the distal nerve stump, thereby repairing the nerve gap.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the epineural tube is attached to the proximal nerve stump using at least one suture and to the distal nerve stump using at least one suture. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the epineural tube is from about 1 cm to about 20 cm in length. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the nerve gap is from about 1 mm to about 20 cm. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the epineural tube is an autologous epineural tube, an allogenic epineural tube, an isogenic epineural tube, a xenogenic epineural tube or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A method of protecting neural tissue in an individual in need thereof, comprising
 a) attaching an isolated, naturally occurring epineural sheath to the neural tissue, thereby covering the nerve tissue and   b) maintaining the neural tissue under conditions in which the neural tissue is isolated, thereby protecting the neural tissue.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the neural tissue is injured neural tissue. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the injured neural tissue produces neuropathic pain in the individual. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the injured neural tissue is compressed. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the neural regeneration occurs. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the neural tissue is a dorsal root ganglion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the epineural sheath is attached to the neural tissue using at least one suture. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the epineural sheath is an autologous epineural sheath, an allogenic epineural sheath, an isogenic epineural sheath, a xenogenic sheath or a combination thereof.