title: Multi-channeled biodegradable polymer/CultiSpher composite nerve guides.
abstract: Innovative methods to fabricate porous, biodegradable conduits were developed to produce nerve guides with multiple longitudinally aligned channels. The geometry of the nerve guide's channels was designed to be appropriate for harboring neurite extension. Both the coated mandrel and mandrel adhesion techniques permit flexibility in the number of channels, channel organization, and channel diameters. In this study, the composite nerve guides were comprised of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) and porous collagen-based beads (CultiSphers). The incorporation of the collagenous beads results in enhanced cortical neuron adhesion, viability, and neurite extension as compared to PCL alone. Additionally, Schwann cell studies indicated that the PCL/CultiSpher composite is a suitable substrate for cell adhesion. Mechanical properties of the PCL/CultiSpher material and in vitro degradation rates indicate the potential usefulness of this novel composite for use in the fabrication of nerve guides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Bender
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Waddell
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Doctor
authors.forename: Kacey G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Marra
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry*; D004548:Elasticity; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008420:Manufactured Materials; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012583:Schwann Cells; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D003094:Collagen