Enhancing Peripheral Nerve Regeneration with a Novel Drug Delivering Nerve Conduit
Abstract
This project is directed at improving the rate of nerve regeneration, through the development and testing of a novel nerve conduit. This project explores the potential of combing a nerve conduit that will act as an axon guide for the regenerating nerve and a drug delivery device to deliver nerve growth factor (NGF) and/or glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF) for at least 30 days to improve rate of nerve regeneration. We have successfully manufactured a dual chamber device, as well as further validated a diffusion model that can be used to design the nerve conduit a priori. That is by knowing what concentration of growth factor we want to deliver and for what duration we can then determine the approximate reservoir volume, diffusion hole, and growth factor concentration that need to be established to meet these design criterion. We have further determined the concentration of NGF and GDNF that need to be delivered simultaneously to result in optimal nerve growth. Finally, we have performed both in vitro and vitro studies to determine the efficacy of the device and the bioactivity of the released drugs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1049883
Entities
People
- Jayant Agarwal
- Jill Shea
Organizations
- University of Utah