Design and Fabrication of 3D Printed Bioresorbable Nerve Guide Conduit (NGC) for Peripheral Nerve Repair

Abstract

In this study, 3D printing technology is utilized for the fabrication of designer structure bioresorbable Polylactic acid (PLA) NGCs for peripheral nerve regeneration. The designer structure of the NGCs is designed using solid works software. The bioresorbable PLA NGCs are printed using an extrusion-based 3D printer. PLA thread of 1.75 mm diameter is employed for the fabrication of 6±0.5 mm internal diameter and 35±10 mm long NGCs. The conduits were tested for the mechanical properties, surface properties such as surface wettability of the conduits were evaluated by measuring the water contact angle of the de-ionized water droplet deposited on the conduit surface. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy is used for the conduits surface chemistry study. Differential scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) are used for the thermal and morphological characterization.