MAGNETIC STRETCHING OF MAGNETIZED NEURONS FOR SPINAL CORD OR PERIPHERAL NERVE REPAIR AND REGENERATION

摘要

A severed or otherwise interrupted spinal cord orperipheral nerve is provided with metallic nanoparticleswhich are absorbed or actively incorporated into theneurons and their axons. The severed or otherwiseinterrupted nerve or cord is then exposed to an externalmagnetic field which is moved longitudinally of the severedor otherwise interrupted nerve or spinal cord, therebystretching the magnetic particle-loaded neurons and theiraxons along the desired axis for bridging the gap or gapsand repairing the injured spinal cord or nerve. Theprocedure may be repeated to extend the area of repair.The severed or otherwise interrupted spinal cord orperipheral nerve is advantageously provided, eitherinternally or alongside, with an insert comprising multiplestrands of biodegradable material having metallic particlesoriented along the axis thereof, for focusing and concentratingthe external magnetic field in the desired axis.Magnetic particles tagged with substances which arebiologically incorporated into neurons and their axons maybe employed to increase the absorption of the magneticparticles into the cells and/or to stimulate the growthactivities of the cell.