Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, NY, USA.
Acta Biomater. 2020 Apr 1;106:54-69. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.02.003. Epub 2020 Feb 8.
Peripheral nerves can sustain injuries due to loss of structure and/or function of peripheral nerves because of accident, trauma and other causes, which leads to partial or complete loss of sensory, motor, and autonomic functions and neuropathic pain. Even with the extensive knowledge on the pathophysiology and regeneration mechanisms of peripheral nerve injuries (PNI), reliable treatment methods that ensure full functional recovery are scant. Nerve autografting is the current gold standard for treatment of PNI. Given the limitations of autografts including donor site morbidity and limited supply, alternate treatment methods are being pursued by the researchers. Neural guide conduits (NGCs) are increasingly being considered as a potential alternative to nerve autografts. The anatomy of peripheral nerves, classification of PNI, and current treatment methods are briefly yet succinctly reviewed. A detailed review on the various designs of NGCs, the different materials used for making the NGCs, and the fabrication methods adopted is presented in this work. Much progress had been made in all the aspects of making an NGC, including the design, materials and fabrication techniques. The advent of advanced technologies such as additive manufacturing and 3D bioprinting could be beneficial in easing the production of patient-specific NGCs. NGCs with supporting cells or stem cells, NGCs loaded with neurotropic factors and drugs, and 4D printed NGCs are some of the futuristic areas of interest. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Neural guide conduits (NGCs) are increasingly being considered as a potential alternative to nerve autografts in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries. A detailed review on the various designs of NGCs, the different materials used for making the NGCs, and the fabrication methods (including Additive Manufacturing) adopted is presented in this work.
外周神经可能会由于意外、创伤和其他原因而导致结构和/或功能丧失，从而导致部分或完全丧失感觉、运动和自主功能以及神经病理性疼痛。尽管人们对外周神经损伤（PNI）的病理生理学和再生机制有广泛的了解，但仍缺乏可靠的能确保完全功能恢复的治疗方法。神经自体移植是目前治疗 PNI 的金标准。鉴于自体移植物存在供体部位发病率高和供应有限等局限性，研究人员正在寻求替代治疗方法。神经引导管（NGC）越来越被认为是神经自体移植的一种潜在替代方法。本文简要但简明扼要地回顾了外周神经的解剖结构、PNI 的分类以及当前的治疗方法。详细回顾了 NGC 的各种设计、用于制造 NGC 的不同材料以及所采用的制造方法。在制造 NGC 的所有方面，包括设计、材料和制造技术，都取得了很大的进展。添加制造和 3D 生物打印等先进技术的出现可能有助于简化患者特异性 NGC 的生产。具有支持细胞或干细胞的 NGC、负载神经营养因子和药物的 NGC 以及 4D 打印 NGC 是一些未来的关注领域。意义声明：神经引导管（NGC）越来越被认为是治疗外周神经损伤的神经自体移植的一种潜在替代方法。本文详细回顾了 NGC 的各种设计、用于制造 NGC 的不同材料以及所采用的制造方法（包括增材制造）。
