US Patent 7993412 - Nanofibers as a neural biomaterial

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7993412.html

This patent from Purdue Research Foundation describes how CNT-polymer nanomaterials can be useful in achieving improved biocompatibility for neural implants. Claim 1 reads:

1. Use of a neural implant that enhances proliferation of neural tissue and minimizes scar formation comprising:

(a) obtaining a neural implantable device comprising a composite nanomaterial, said nanomaterial comprising carbon nanofiber material with nanofibers about 2 to 200 nm in width and a polymer matrix, wherein said nanomaterial is a polyurethane-carbon nanofiber composite, said carbon nanofibers comprise carbon nanotubes, and said carbon nanotubes are functionalized with 4-hydroxynonenal; and

(b) securing the implantable device in the neural tissue where proliferation of neuronal tissue is desired.

US Patent 7622129 - Nanostructured polymer medical implants

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7622129.html

In order to treat more extreme cases of bladder cancer it can become necessary to remove a portion of the bladder wall and replace it with a medical implant. This patent from the Purdue Research Foundation teaches such an implant formed via a molding process which produces a nanostructured surface roughness capable of mimicing soft tissue. Claim 1 reads:

1. A nano-structured synthetic implant comprising a polymeric material, said polymeric material displaying nano-sized surface features and a surface roughness of 50 nm or greater, wherein said surface features comprise a dimension having a size within the range of 25 nm to less than 100 nm.