Conductive Nerve Conduits With Orientated Topological Structures From Ice-Templating Technology

Artificial nerve conduits hold significant promise for treating nerve injuries, with researchers focusing on simplifying techniques to harness microstructures and functions to improve their therapeutic outcomes. Here, a type of conductive nerve guidance conduit (NGC) with orientated topological structures from ice-templating technology is presented for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. Based on a temperature gradient generated by a thermoelectric cooling platform, conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and methacrylated gelatin are introduced into the ice crystal template to create conductive conduits with unique oriented structures. Ascribed to such structures, together with the great conductivity of CNTs and the loaded nerve growth factors, the obtained conduits can direct the neurite extension and facilitate the differentiation and growth of nerve cells. By constructing rat models with long-segment sciatic nerve defects, it was confirmed that such conductive NGCs can effectively improve injured nerve regeneration and motor function recovery. These features reveal the practical application value and broad prospect of our prepared NGCs in improving peripheral nerve regeneration.