Collaborators on the project are from the University of Minnesota, Virginia Tech, University of Maryland, Princeton University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Nerve regeneration is a complex process. Because of this complexity, regrowth of nerves after injury or disease is very rare, according to the Mayo Clinic. Nerve damage is often permanent. Advanced 3D printing methods may now be the solution.聽In a new study, published today in the journal聽Advanced Functional Materials, researchers used a combination of 3D imaging and 3D printing techniques to create a custom silicone guide implanted with biochemical cues to help nerve regeneration. The guide鈥檚 effectiveness was tested in the lab using rats.
To achieve their results, researchers used a 3D scanner to reverse engineer the structure of a rat鈥檚 sciatic nerve. They then used a specialized, custom-built 3D printer to print a guide for regeneration. Incorporated into the guide were 3D-printed chemical cues to promote both motor and sensory nerve regeneration. The guide was then implanted into the rat by surgically grafting it to the cut ends of the nerve. Within about 10 to 12 weeks, the rat鈥檚 ability to walk again was improved.
鈥淭his represents an important proof of concept of the 3D printing of custom nerve guides for the regeneration of complex nerve injuries,鈥� said University of Minnesota mechanical engineering professor Michael McAlpine, the study鈥檚 lead researcher. 鈥淪omeday we hope that we could have a 3D scanner and printer right at the hospital to create custom nerve guides right on site to restore nerve function.鈥�
Scanning and printing takes about an hour, but the body needs several weeks to regrow the nerves. McAlpine said previous studies have shown regrowth of linear nerves, but this is the first time a study has shown the creation of a custom guide for regrowth of a complex nerve like the Y-shaped sciatic nerve that has both sensory and motor branches.
鈥淭he exciting next step would be to implant these guides in humans rather than rats,鈥� McAlpine said. In cases where a nerve is unavailable for scanning, McAlpine said there could someday be a 鈥渓ibrary鈥� of scanned nerves from other people or cadavers that hospitals could use to create closely matched 3D-printed guides for patients.
In addition to McAlpine, major contributors to the research team include Blake N. Johnson, Virginia Tech; Xiaofeng Jia, University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University; and Karen Z. Lancaster, Esteban Engel, and Lynn W. Enquist, Princeton University.
This research was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the , the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, and the Grand Challenges Program at Princeton University.
To read more about the study entitled 鈥�3D Printed Anatomical Nerve Regeneration Pathways,鈥� visit the .
Media note: A video of the 3D printing process used in this research can be accessed at . High resolution images of the nerve scans and the implanted nerve guide in a rat are also available upon request.
RSS