Tissue engineering scaffolds for nerve regeneration manufactured by ink-jet technology

Nerve tissue engineering seeks to develop viable nerve substitutes by combining transplanted cells, bio-absorbable polymer scaffolds and growth factors. Ink-jet can be an attractive technology for manufacturing these scaffolds due to incorporation of data-driven, non-contact approaches that enable precise volumes of material to be deposited with high speed and accuracy at target sites. Cylindrical nerve conduits made of 80/20 poly (d,l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) copolymer were fabricated using an ink-jet system that digitally controlled various manufacturing parameters that ultimately dictate the physical and chemical properties of the scaffold. Selection of the scaffold materials was done by screening various biodegradable polymers based on their ability to be jetted and to promote human embryonic kidney cells attachment, survival and nerve growth factor (NGF) production. These cells were genetically modified to secrete NGF thus acting as a growth factor reservoir once seeded onto the polymeric conduit.