A group of American researchers have created a special 3D-printed silicone contraption that can be used to encourage nerve growth and attachment. These devices contain a number of special biochemical cues that can help promote healthy nerve cell formation. The gadgets have been successfully tested in rats, and could one day be used to improve health conditions of humans.
The entire process takes little more than an hour, although the nerves themselves will require several weeks to grow back.
Nerve damage has always been a particularly challenging condition to treat, due to the sensitive nature of nerves and the risks associated with treatment. These 3D-printed silicone parts could help seriously improve the lives of people suffering from nerve damage. In the future, libraries of nerve scans could be used to create 3D-printed guides for nerve injury sufferers.
3D-Printed Nerve Guides
This 3D-Printed Silicone Contraption Helps Treat Nerve Damage
Trend Themes
1. 3d-bioprinting - The creation of specialized, 3D-printed devices that contain biochemical cues presents opportunities for the development of new bioprinting technologies and drug delivery systems.
2. Neuroregeneration - Innovations in nerve guide technology can lead to novel approaches towards treating various nervous system conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, ALS and multiple sclerosis.
3. Diagnostic Imaging - Developing a library of 3D nerve scans for nerve damage sufferers could lead to the creation of more accurate diagnostic imaging tools and personalized implant designs.
Industry Implications
1. Biotechnology - The biotech industry can explore the use of 3D-printed nerve guides in the development of novel therapeutic applications, tissue engineering and drug discovery.
2. Medical Devices - Companies in the medical device industry can pursue and enhance nerve guide technologies as well as scalable manufacturing methods to produce customized implants for individual patients.
3. Regenerative Medicine - Advanced nerve guide solutions could also drive further innovations in the regenerative medicine market, particularly in the field of nerve regeneration and neural tissue engineering.