The damaged nerve was printed "nerve line"
Nikolay Vorontsov, N+1
A group of American scientists from five universities has created a framework for nerves using 3D printing. The design allows you to restore sensory and motor functions after injury. The article by Johnson et al. 3D Printed Anatomical Nerve Regeneration Pathways is published in Advanced Functional Materials, its contents can be found briefly on the website of the University of Minnesota: 3D-printed guide helps regrow complex nerves after injury.
Y-shaped frame for restoring the sciatic nerve of a rat.
Photograph: Blake N. Johnson et al. / Advanced Functional Materials
For the experiment, the researchers used a 3D scanner to create a model of the sciatic nerve of a rat. Based on the model, experts designed a tubular frame that repeats the shape of the nerve. After that, the frame in the shape of the letter Y was printed out of silicone, while the special design of the printer during the printing process allowed to implant biochemical tags inside the frame that promote nerve regeneration.
The frame was implanted in a rat, which had previously had a nerve cut. According to the researchers, it takes several hours to scan and print the skeleton, after which several weeks are needed for successful nerve regeneration. In the experimental rat, the restoration of sensory and motor functions took 10-12 weeks.
The authors of the study believe that the technology can soon be used for the regeneration of human nerves. At the same time, as one of the researchers notes, it is possible to create a library of three-dimensional models of skeletons for various nerves in advance. Such a library will help doctors if the nerve is damaged too much and the scan will not bring the necessary result.
Earlier, researchers from the University of British Columbia found that the nerves of some mammals are able to stretch twice to prevent mechanical damage to the fibers.
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21.09.2015