University of Manchester Innovation Factory Background
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a common outcome of physical trauma, such as cuts and lacerations, civil/industrial accidents and military injuries. At a conservative estimate, a million PNI procedures are performed each year in the United States alone. The potential US market for repair of peripheral nerves in the extremities is greater than $1.6bn/year.
The major clinical problem is the presence of a nerve gap that prevents the surgeon from performing end-to-end repair of the nerve. The current gold standard for treatment of this is an autologous nerve graft (a healthy nerve from the injured patient is sacrificed); however, outcomes for patients remain poor. Furthermore, significant problems arise, such as donor site morbidity, limited availability of nerve graft, nerve mismatch, tissue scarring, and occasionally formation of neuromas. Current commercially available nerve conduit devices have demonstrated effectiveness for bridging small nerve gaps up to 20 mm in length; however, none of these products specifically address the biology of a regenerating nerve.
Polynerve aims to overcome such complications and provide improved outcomes for patients.
Technology Overview
A University of Manchester research group has developed Polynerve – a specifically engineered conduit for peripheral nerve repair. Polynerve consists of an ultra-thin polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactic acid (PLA) blended film, manufactured in diameters up to 4 mm, is biocompatible and degrades in a clinically relevant timeframe making it applicable to a wide range of nerve injuries. The inner lumen of Polynerve consists of tailored pits and grooves that improve Schwann cell interaction and therefore offer the possibility of guided regeneration and repair of peripheral nerves over longer distances. Furthermore, with increasing experimental evidence for stem cell technology in nerve injury, Polynerve has been designed to permit the incorporation of stem cells in anticipation of this future treatment. This would herald a step-change in the clinical management of a cohort of patients that deserve better outcomes and a return to productivity.
Benefits
Polynerve has been engineered to address the biology of the regenerative nerve, particularly to aid Schwann cells in their regenerative role.
In vitro and in vivo studies have refined and validated the cellular response.
Polynerve is biocompatible, degrades in a clinically relevant timeframe and has demonstrated no complications in experimental models.
To the surgeon:
Off-the-shelf product
Saves surgical time in theatre
Biomechanical properties provide a conduit designed to be sutured and maintain integrity through nerve regeneration timeframe
No surgical training required for use
To the patient:
No need to sacrifice a patient’s healthy nerve for reconstructive graft surgery
Specifically designed to promote the biology of nerve regeneration; good nerve recovery
Absorbable device so no long-term problems.
To the manufacturer :
Very simple manufacturing process using solvent casting
Easily up-scalable
Inexpensive raw materials
Specifically designed to enable the next generation product to include stem cell therapy.
Applications
Polynerve is applicable for peripheral nerve injury surgery.
Opportunity
It provides an excellent collaboration, development and license opportunity for medical device companies active in reconstruction and soft tissue repair.