Nerve guide conduit containing carbon nanotubes
View Patent ↗The embodiments herein relate to a conduit comprising an insulating material in a form of a tube having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having carbon nanotubes.
1. A conduit comprising an insulating material in a form of a tube having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface comprising a film consisting of carbon nanotubes:
wherein:
the conduit is a nerve guide conduit
the film is configured to conduct an electric current from a first end of the conduit attached to a first nerve stump to a second end of the conduit attached to a second nerve stump;
the film has a thickness from 1 to 2 μm; and
the carbon nanotubes comprise functionalized carbon nanotubes.
2. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the conduit has an electrical conducting property in a semi-conducting range at ambient conditions.
3. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the insulating material comprises silicone.
4. The conduit of claim 1 , wherein the functionalized carbon nanotubes comprise carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups.
5. The conduit of claim 1 , comprising less than 1 wt % carbon nanotubes.