Biological tissue connection and repair devices and methods of using same

Abstract

The instant invention provides compositions and methods for promoting the repair and/or growth of biological tissue, e.g., tubular biological tissue such as nerves. Specifically, the instant invention provides tissue connection devices and tissue repair devices and methods for using these devices.

1 . A tissue connection device for connecting biological tissue, comprising:
 a first tubular device comprising a first and a second end;   a second tubular device comprising a first and a second end;   wherein one end of the first and second tubular devices attach to the ends of the biological tissue, and the other ends of the first and second tubular devices attach to donor tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The tissue connection device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tubular devices comprise, two sections that assemble to form the tubular device. 
     
     
         3 . The tissue connection device of  claim 2 , wherein the two sections are connected, or partially connected, along the length of one side of the sections. 
     
     
         4 . The tissue connection device of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular devices comprise a biodegradable substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The tissue connection device of  claim 2 , wherein the interior surface of each section of the tubular device comprises an adhesive, a temperature sensitive polymer, adhesive nanostructure, or tissue-reactive groups. 
     
     
         6 . The tissue connection device of  claim 5 , wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of fibrin glue, cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive, and albumin-glutaraldehyde glue. 
     
     
         7 . The tissue connection device of  claim 5 , wherein the temperature sensitive polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide), and Pluronic copolymers. 
     
     
         8 . The tissue connection device of  claim 5 , wherein the tissue reactive group is selected from the group consisting of imido ester, N-hydroxylsuccinimide ester, epoxide, isocyanate, and aldehyde. 
     
     
         9 . The tissue connection device of  claim 5 , wherein the adhesive nanostructures are pillars comprised of biodegradable material. 
     
     
         10 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A tissue connection device comprising a tubular biodegradable structure, wherein:
 the device comprises two sections that assemble around the biological tissue to form the tubular device.   
     
     
         33 . The tissue connection device of  claim 32 , wherein the two sections are connected, or partially connected, along the length of one side of the sections. 
     
     
         34 . The tissue connection device of  claim 32 , wherein the interior surface of each section of the tubular device comprises an adhesive, a temperature sensitive polymer, adhesive nanostructure, or tissue-reactive groups. 
     
     
         35 - 61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . A tissue repair device comprising:
 a membrane,   wherein one side of the membrane comprises an adhesive, a temperature sensitive polymer, adhesive nanostructure, or a tissue-reactive compound.   
     
     
         63 . The tissue repair device of  claim 62 , wherein the membrane comprises one or more of biodegradable polyesters, poly(amino acids), poly(amino acid) derivatives, and natural polymers. 
     
     
         64 . The tissue repair device of  claim 63 , wherein the polyester is selected from the group consisting of poly(lactide), poly(glycolide), poly(ε-caprolactone) and copolymers thereof. 
     
     
         65 . The tissue repair device of  claim 63 , wherein the natural polymer is selected from the group consisting of chitosan, collagen, alginate esters, hyaluronic acid and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         66 . The tissue repair device of  claim 62 , wherein the membrane is porous or non-porous. 
     
     
         67 . The tissue repair device of  claim 66 , wherein the non-porous device comprises a biodegradable foam or non-woven electrospun fibrous mesh. 
     
     
         68 - 71 . (canceled) 
     
     
         72 . A method of connecting a tubular biological tissue, comprising:
 providing a first tubular device and a second ubular device of  claims 1 ;   attaching the first end of the first tubular device to one end of the tubular tissue;   attaching the first end of the second tubular device to the other end of the tubular tissue;   wherein the second end of the first and second tubular devices are attached to a donor tissue;   thereby connecting the tubular biological tissue.   
     
     
         73 - 77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . A method of repairing biological tissue, comprising:
 contacting, the biological tissue in need of repair with the device of  claim 62 ;   thereby repairing the biological tissue.   
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein the biological tissue is a lacerated organ. 
     
     
         80 - 82 . (canceled) 
     
     
         83 . A kit comprising the tissue connection device of any one of  claim 1  and instructions for use. 
     
     
         84 . A kit comprising the tissue repair device of  claim 62  and instructions for use.