We have developed a method to create longitudinally oriented channels within @entity27023 ( @entity26337 ) hydrogels for neural tissue engineering applications. Incorporated into an entubulation strategy, these scaffolds have the potential to enhance nerve regeneration after transection injuries of either the spinal cord or the peripheral nerve by increasing the available surface area and providing guidance to extending axons and invading cells. The fabrication process is straightforward and the resultant scaffolds are highly reproducible. @entity4351 ( @entity4351 ) fibers were extruded and embedded in transparent, crosslinked @entity26337 gels. Sonication of the @entity26337 / @entity4351 composite in @entity1324 resulted in the complete dissolution of the @entity4351 , leaving longitudinally oriented, fiber-free channels in the @entity26337 gel. Regulating the size and quantity of the @entity4351 fibers allowed us to control the diameter and number of channels. Small and large channel scaffolds were fabricated and thoroughly characterized. The small channel scaffolds had 142+/-7 channels, with approximately 75% of the channels in the 100-200 micro m size range. The large channel scaffolds had 37+/-1 channels, with approximately 77% of the channels in the 300-400 micro m range. The equilibrium water content (EWC), porosity and compressive modulus were measured for each of the structures. Small and large channel scaffolds had, respectively, EWCs of 55.0+/-1.2% and 56.2+/-2.9%, porosities of 35+/-1% and 40+/-1% and compressive moduli of 191+/-7 and 182+/-4kPa.

Fiber templating of XXXX for neural tissue engineering.

@entity4351 :: ('CHEBI:60736', 'Chemical') :: ['Polycaprolactone', 'PCL'] @entity26337 :: ('MESH:D011102', 'Chemical') :: ['pHEMA'] @entity1324 :: ('MESH:D000096', 'Chemical') :: ['acetone'] @entity27023 :: ('CHEBI:60758', 'Chemical') :: ['poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)']
@entity27023 :: (CHEBI:60758,Chemical) :: ['poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)']
