A conducting-polymer platform with biodegradable fibers for stimulation and guidance of axonal growth.

Quigley, Anita F; Razal, Joselito M; Thompson, Brianna C; Moulton, Simon E; Kita, Magdalena; Kennedy, Elizabeth L; Clark, Graeme M; Wallace, Gordon G et al. · Adv Mater · 2009

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A biosynthetic platform composed of a conducting polypyrrole sheet embedded with unidirectional biodegradable polymer fibers is described (see image; scale bar = 50 µm). Such hybrid systems can promote rapid directional nerve growth for neuro-regenerative scaffolds and act as interfaces between the electronic circuitry of medical bionic devices and the nervous system.