Electrical stimulation via repeated biphasic conducting materials for peripheral nerve regeneration.

Improved materials for peripheral nerve repair are needed for the advancement of new surgical techniques in fields spanning from oncology to trauma. In this study, we developed bioresorbable materials capable of producing repeated electric field gradients spaced 600 μm apart to assess the impact on neuronal cell growth, and migration. Electrically conductive, biphasic composites comprised of poly (glycerol) sebacate acrylate (PGSA) alone, and doped with poly (pyrrole) (PPy), were prepared to create alternating segments with high and low electrically conductivity.

Local fluid transfer regulation in heart extracellular matrix.

The interstitial myocardial matrix is a complex and dynamic structure that adapts to local fluctuations in pressure and actively contributes to the heart's fluid exchange and hydration. However, classical physiologic models tend to treat it as a passive conduit for water and solute, perhaps because local interstitial regulatory mechanisms are not easily accessible to experiment in vivo. Here, we examined the interstitial contribution to the fluid-driving pressure ex vivo.

Ameliorating Spinal Cord Injury in an Animal Model With Mechanical Tissue Resuscitation.

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major worldwide cause of mortality and disability with limited treatment options. Previous research applying controlled negative pressure to traumatic brain injury in rat and swine models resulted in smaller injuries and more rapid recovery.

Objective: To examine the effects of the application of a controlled vacuum (mechanical tissue resuscitation [MTR]) to SCI in a rat model under several magnitudes of vacuum.

Mechanical tissue resuscitation (MTR): a nonpharmacological approach to treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

Background And Aim: Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is known to trigger an inflammatory response involving edema, apoptosis, and neutrophil activation/accumulation. Recently, mechanical tissue resuscitation (MTR) was described as a potent cardioprotective strategy for reduction of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Here, we further describe the protective actions of MTR and begin to define its therapeutic window.

Mechanical tissue resuscitation protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background And Aim: Reperfusion injury is a complex inflammatory response involving numerous mechanisms and pathways. Mechanical tissue resuscitation is a newly described therapeutic strategy that reduces reperfusion injury. This study further investigates potential mechanisms for the protective effects of mechanical tissue resuscitation while utilizing a bio-absorbable matrix.

Cerebral blood flow quantification in swine using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling.

Purpose: To develop quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) imaging using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) in swine, accounting for their cerebrovascular anatomy and physiology.

Materials And Methods: Five domestic pigs (2.5-3 months, 25 kg) were used in these studies.

A new method for modulating traumatic brain injury with mechanical tissue resuscitation.

Background: Traumatic brain injuries remain a treatment enigma with devastating late results. As terminally differentiated tissue, the brain retains little capacity to regenerate, making early attempts to preserve brain cells after brain injury essential.

Objective: To resuscitate damaged tissue by modulating edema, soluble cytokines, and metabolic products in the "halo" of damaged tissue around the area of central injury that progressively becomes compromised.

Development of a biodegradable foam for use in negative pressure wound therapy.

Treatment of wounds using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) uses a nondegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foam in the application of negative pressures typically for 1-3 days. The purpose of this study was to construct and test biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) foam as a substitute for the PVA foam. Such a foam would be left within the wound until healing was achieved and form a biodegradable matrix into which tissue would grow.

The local pathology of interstitial edema: surface tension increases hydration potential in heat-damaged skin.

The local pathogenesis of interstitial edema in burns is incompletely understood. This ex vivo study investigates the forces mediating water-transfer in and out of heat-denatured interstitial matrix. Experimentally, full-thickness dermal samples are heated progressively to disrupt glycosaminoglycans, kill cells, and denature collagen under conditions that prevent water loss/gain; subsequently, a battery of complementary techniques including among others, high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging, equilibrium vapor pressure and osmotic stress are used to compare water-potential parameters of nonheated and heated dermis.

Loxoscelism and negative pressure wound therapy (vacuum-assisted closure): an experimental study.

Brown recluse spider (Loxosceles) bites cause lesions ranging from chronic necrotic ulcers to acute life-threatening sepsis. Based on our experience in treating acute and chronic wounds with negative pressure, we postulated that vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) would be valuable in this application. Chester pigs were procured and injected with purified brown recluse spider venom, 1 µl of venom in two anterior sites and 0·1 µl of venom in two posterior sites on their dorsum.

Reduction of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by mechanical tissue resuscitation using sub-atmospheric pressure.

Background: Reperfusion-induced injury after myocardial infarction is associated with a well-defined sequence of early and late cardiomyocyte death. Most present attempts to ameliorate this sequence focus on a single facet of the complex process in an attempt to salvage cardiomyocytes. We examined, as proof of concept, the effects of mechanical tissue resuscitation (MTR) with controlled negative pressure on myocardial injury following acute myocardial infarction.

Loxoscelism and negative pressure wound therapy (vacuum-assisted closure): a clinical case series.

Brown recluse spider (Loxosceles sp) bites continue to be a significant challenge to manage clinically. Sequelae from these lesions range from chronic necrotic ulcers that persist for months to an acute life-threatening course of sepsis. Negative pressure wound therapy using vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) has been described for use in both acute and chronic wounds.

Management of an acute thermal injury with subatmospheric pressure.

Objective: This article reports the first application of subatmospheric pressure management to a deep, partial-thickness human thermal burn.

Methods: After cleaning the wound, the decision was made to treat the hand and distal forearm with subatmospheric pressure (V.A.

Vacuum-assisted closure: state of clinic art.

Treatment of wounds has been the cornerstone of plastic surgery since its inception. Vacuum-assisted closure provides a new paradigm that can be used in concert with a wide variety of standard existing plastic surgery techniques. It was originally developed as an alternative treatment for debilitated patients with chronic wounds.

Vacuum-assisted closure: state of basic research and physiologic foundation.

A tremendous amount of research has been conducted in recent years investigating the mechanisms of action by which the application of subatmospheric pressure to wounds increases the rate of healing. Similarly, numerous studies have also been conducted examining the physiologic response of wounds to the applied subatmospheric pressure. However, many more need to be conducted.

Acceleration of Integra incorporation in complex tissue defects with subatmospheric pressure.

In an effort to accelerate vascularization and simplify the care of Integra (Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, N.J.

The effect of externally applied subatmospheric pressure on serum myoglobin levels after a prolonged crush/ischemia injury.

Background: Patients with injuries that cause significant muscle death often develop rhabdomyolysis. The subsequent release and entry of myoglobin into the systemic circulation leads to myoglobinuria, renal injury, and potentially acute renal failure.

Methods: Large (5 kg) adult rabbits (n = 8) were anesthetized and a 15-kg weight placed on the posterior compartment for 4 hours.