Nerve Cap and Production Thereof

Abstract

The invention is directed to a nerve cap for covering a nerve stump, comprising a tubular body with a closed end and an open end and essentially consisting of biodegradable polymeric material to prevent or treat symptoms caused by neuroma. The polymeric material preferably comprises a poly(DL-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) copolymer obtained by the copolymerizaton of DL-lactide and ε-caprolactone, which copolymer has a lactide content of 51-75 mol %.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of making a nerve cap having an open end and a closed end comprising providing a tube consisting essentially of biodegradable polymeric material and closing one end of the tube by pressing it between two surfaces such that a tube closed in the radial direction is obtained. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein a tab is formed upon pressing the tube between the two surfaces. 
     
     
         14 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the polymeric material comprises a poly(DL-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) copolymer obtained by the copolymerizaton of DL-lactide and ε-caprolactone, which copolymer has a lactide content of 51-75 mol. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fraction of the D-enantiomer or L-enantiomer of the lactide is from 65-95 mol. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the polymeric material comprises a poly(DL-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) copolymer obtained by the copolymerization of DL-lactide and ε-caprolactone, which copolymer has a lactide content of 55-70 mol %. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the fraction of the D-enantiomer or L-enantiomer of the lactide in the polymeric material is from 65-95 mol. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the polymeric material has a polydispersity (Mw/Mn) of less than 1.8. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the polymeric material has an intrinsic viscosity of more than 4 dL/g. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the polymeric material is obtained by carrying out said copolymerization at a temperature of 100° C.-130° C. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the polymeric material is obtained by carrying out said copolymerization during a period of 3-40 days. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the polymeric material is obtained by carrying out said polymerization using a catalyst in an amount such that the molar ratio of lactide and ε-caprolactone monomers to said catalyst (M/I) is from 1000-100000. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the nerve cap includes at least one tab that optionally comprises one or more holes, wherein said tab is located at the closed end of the tubular body of the nerve cap, such that the nerve cap may be immobilized in the tissue by suture.