Three-dimensional conductive constructs for nerve regeneration.
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.
George
Paul M
PM
Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
Saigal
Rajiv
R
Lawlor
Michael W
MW
Moore
Michael J
MJ
LaVan
David A
DA
Marini
Robert P
RP
Selig
Martin
M
Makhni
Melvin
M
Burdick
Jason A
JA
Langer
Robert
R
Kohane
Daniel S
DS
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
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D011758:Pyrroles; C067635:polypyrrole