Tianjin International Conference on Biomaterials，Bio-Design and Manufacturing (BDMC2019)

65 / 2019-08-20 19:17:03

3D-printing of functional nerve conduits with drug release

Nerve repair,3D print,nanomaterials

Plenary track > Production and delivery of biological products

Due to the frequency of complications resulting from autografting and a desire to create a better environment for the regeneration of the damaged nerve, functional nerve conduits are desired for repairing the injured peripheral nerves. In clinical practice to date, the efficiency of conduits in repairing peripheral nerve is still not satisfying. Hence, we propose to fabricate enhanced conduits for nerve regeneration by providing the appropriate biological, structural, and chemical properties. Here, we are going to discuss a functional nanoparticle-enhanced conduit that can promote the regeneration of peripheral nerve. This conduit, which consists of customized structure and drug-loaded nanoparticles decorated in the hydrogel matrix, is rapidly fabricated by a continuous 3D printing process. It is proved that the 3D-printed hydrogel conduit with personalized size, shape, and structure provides a physical channel for axonal elongation. In the meantime, the nanoparticles offer drug release to promote the migration and remyelination of Schwann cells. Our results indicate that this conduit can efficiently induce the recovery of sciatic injuries in morphology, histopathology and functions in vivo, showing potential clinical applications.