New technique may help severely damaged nerves regrow and restore function
(April 24, 2012) Engineers
at the University of Sheffield have developed a method of assisting nerves
damaged by traumatic accidents to repair naturally, which could improve the
chances of restoring sensation and movement in injured limbs.
In a
collaborative study with Laser Zentrum Hannover (Germany) published today (23
April 2012) in the journal Biofabrication, the team describes a new method for
making medical devices called nerve guidance conduits or NGCs.
The method
is based on laser direct writing, which enables the fabrication of complex
structures from computer files via the use of CAD/CAM (computer aided
design/manufacturing), and has allowed the research team to manufacture NGCs
with designs that are far more advanced than previously possible.