US4966144A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for inducing regeneration of injured nerve fibers
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-06-08
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Granted: 1990-10-30
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Expires: 2008-06-08
Abstract
Abstract Light irradiation having a wavelength of 380-1200 nm was found to have beneficial healing properties on the nervous system. By the method, the regeneration of an injured spinal cord is induced by transplanting a nerve graft into an injured site of the spinal cord and post-operatively irradiating with light having the above specified wavelength.
Inventors
- 👤 Simeone Rochkind
- 👤 Liliane Barr-Nea
- 👤 Rachel Lubart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of inducing functional regeneration of nerve fibres at an injured site of the spinal cord, comprising exposing said injured site, grafting into said injured site graft selected from the group consisting of peripheral nerves and spinal cord segments, in such a way that the graft's longitudinal axis is parallel to the spinal cord's longitudinal axis and that said graft is in contact with both the proximal and distal uninjured spinal cord tissue, suturing the dura, muscle, fascia and skin, and post operatively irradiating the so grafter area of the spinal cord with a light source generating light at a wavelength being within the range of 380-1200 nm.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of inducing functional regeneration of nerve fibres at an injured site of the spinal cord, comprising exposing said injured site, grafting into said injured site graft selected from the group consisting of peripheral nerves and spinal cord segments, in such a way that the graft's longitudinal axis is parallel to the spinal cord's longitudinal axis and that said graft is in contact with both the proximal and distal uninjured spinal cord tissue, suturing the dura, muscle, fascia and skin, and post operatively irradiating the so grafter area of the spinal cord with a light source generating light at a wavelength being within the range of 380-1200 nm.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of inducing functional regeneration of nerve fibres at an injured site of the spinal cord, comprising exposing said injured site, grafting into said injured site a graft selected from the group cosisting of peripheral nerves and spinal cord segment, in such a way that the graft's longitudinal axis is parallel to the spinal cord's longitudinal axis and that said graft is in contact with both the proximal and distal uninjured spinal cord tissue, irradiating said graft and the surrounding nerve tissue with a light source generating light at a wavelength being within the range of 380-1200 nm, suturing the dura, muscle, fascia and skin, and post operatively irradiating the so grafted area of the spinal cord with a light source generating light at a wavelength being within the range of 380-1200 nm.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of inducing functional regeneration of nerve fibres at an injured site of the spinal cord, comprising exposing said injured site, grafting into said injured site a graft selected from the group cosisting of peripheral nerves and spinal cord segment, in such a way that the graft's longitudinal axis is parallel to the spinal cord's longitudinal axis and that said graft is in contact with both the proximal and distal uninjured spinal cord tissue, irradiating said graft and the surrounding nerve tissue with a light source generating light at a wavelength being within the range of 380-1200 nm, suturing the dura, muscle, fascia and skin, and post operatively irradiating the so grafted area of the spinal cord with a light source generating light at a wavelength being within the range of 380-1200 nm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the light source generates light at a wavelength being within the range of 450-1000 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the light source generates light at a wavelength being within the range of 450-650 nm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said light source is coherent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said light source is non-coherent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the irradiation of the spinal cord is performed transcutaneously.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the light beam generated by the light source is maintained in a stationary position over the grafted area, the light's intensity being below about 100 Joules/cm 2 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the generated light is split into a multitude of beams which are arranged so as to obtain an array of light spots along the grafted area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the light beam about 1000 Joules/cm 2 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the irradiation is targeted directly onto the graft by means of optical fibres suitably introduced in the course of operation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the irradiation of light is performed for continuous stretches of time and its intensity is in the order of 0.05-15 Joules/cm 2 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said light irradiation is performed in a pulsating manner, the intensity thereof being below about 10 KJoules/cm 2 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the wavelength of the irradiated light is below 660 nm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the pulse duration is of the order of about 10 ns, its frequency is about 10 Hz, and its pulse peak power being below 1 MW.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE2740969A1
Cited
US4671285A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-29 | 1994-04-30 | 1994-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-29 | 1998-04-30 | 1998-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-29 | 2002-04-30 | 2002-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |