Device and method for treating central nervous system pathology

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a device and method for treating tissues of the central nervous system and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a device and method for treating the brain tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating damaged central nervous system tissue using sub-atmospheric pressure, comprising:
 a. positioning a sub-atmospheric pressure transmission element proximate the damaged central nervous system tissue to be treated, the transmission element comprising an open-cell porous material;   b. sealing the transmission element about the damaged central nervous system tissue to prevent gaseous communication between the damaged central nervous system tissue and the atmosphere; and   c. applying sub-atmospheric pressure through the transmission element to the damaged central nervous system tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the open-cell porous material comprises a bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the central nervous system tissue is brain or spinal cord tissue. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  or  2 , comprising maintaining the sub-atmospheric pressure at the central nervous system tissue to be treated for a time sufficient to normalize intracranial pressure to one or more of a substantially normal physiological state or a clinically desirable level. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  or  2 , comprising maintaining the sub-atmospheric pressure at the central nervous system tissue to be treated for a time sufficient to normalize tissue volume and density to one or more of a substantially normal physiological state or a clinically desirable level. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  or  2 , comprising maintaining the sub-atmospheric pressure at the central nervous system tissue to be treated for a time sufficient to normalize at least one of blood pressure and heart rate to one or more of a substantially normal state or a clinically desirable level. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  or  2 , comprising maintaining the sub-atmospheric pressure at the central nervous system tissue to be treated for a time sufficient to achieve a clinical improvement in the state of consciousness of the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  or  2 , comprising maintaining the sub-atmospheric pressure at the central nervous system tissue to be treated for a time sufficient to achieve an improvement in the Glasgow score. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising maintaining sub-atmospheric pressure at the central nervous system tissue to be treated at a sub-atmospheric pressure of about 25 mm Hg. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing step comprises locating a cover over the central nervous system tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cover comprises a flexible adhesive sheet. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the sealing step comprises adhesively sealing and adhering the cover to the tissue surrounding the central nervous system tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning step comprises applying a porous, open-cell collagen material proximate the central nervous system tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning step comprises applying a synthetic polymer proximate the central nervous system tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning step comprises applying a foam proximate the central nervous system tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning step comprises applying an open-cell foam section proximate the central nervous system tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning step comprises applying a porous, electrospun material proximate the central nervous system tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning step comprises applying a porous, cast material proximate the central nervous system tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning step comprises applying a porous, printed material proximate the central nervous system tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing step comprises applying the transmission element over the central nervous system tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sealing step comprises placing the transmission element within the central nervous system tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising maintaining sub-atmospheric pressure at the central nervous system tissue to be treated at a sub-atmospheric pressure of no more than about 75 mm Hg. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the applying step comprises providing alternating periods of production and non-production of sub-atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the open-cell porous material has, at least at a selected surface of the open-cell porous material, a pore size smaller than the size of fibroblasts and central nervous system cells. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the open-cell porous material has a pore size that is larger than that of fibroblasts and central nervous system cells. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the open-cell porous material has a pore size that is large enough to allow movement of proteins the size of albumin therethrough. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the open-cell porous material comprises a pore size sufficiently large to promote the formation of granulation tissue at a selected surface. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising maintaining the sub-atmospheric pressure at the central nervous system tissue to be treated for a time sufficient to achieve a selected stage of healing such that secondary treatments can be applied. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising maintaining the sub-atmospheric pressure at the central nervous system tissue to be treated for a time sufficient to achieve diminution of bacterial counts such that acceptance of secondary treatments can be successful. 
     
     
         30 . A method of manufacturing a cast bioabsorbable material, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. preparing a solution comprising a bioabsorbable material and a pore forming precursor;   b. depositing the solution in a mold; and   c. removing the pore forming precursor from the molded solution to provide a cast bioabsorbable material comprising an open-cell pore structure configured to prevent the growth of central nervous system tissue therein.   
     
     
         31 . A method of manufacturing an electrospun bioabsorbable material, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. preparing a solution comprising a polymer; and   b. electrospinning the solution to provide an electrospun bioabsorbable material comprising an open-cell pore structure configured to prevent the growth of central nervous system tissue therein.   
     
     
         32 . A method of manufacturing a printed bioabsorbable material, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. preparing a mixture comprising a bioabsorbable material; and   b. printing the mixture to provide a printed bioabsorbable material comprising an open-cell pore structure configured to prevent the growth of central nervous system tissue therein.