title: Three-dimensional conductive constructs for nerve regeneration.
abstract: The unique electrochemical properties of conductive polymers can be utilized to form stand-alone polymeric tubes and arrays of tubes that are suitable for guides to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. Noncomposite, polypyrrole (PPy) tubes ranging in inner diameter from 25 microm to 1.6 mm as well as multichannel tubes were fabricated by electrodeposition. While oxidation of the pyrrole monomer causes growth of the film, brief subsequent reduction allowed mechanical dissociation from the electrode mold, creating a stand-alone, conductive PPy tube. Conductive polymer nerve guides made in this manner were placed in transected rat sciatic nerves and shown to support nerve regeneration over an 8-week time period.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saigal
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Lawlor
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: LaVan
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Selig
authors.forename: Melvin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Makhni
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Burdick
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Langer
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kohane
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D011758:Pyrroles; C067635:polypyrrole