2D Patterning and 3D Printing of Novel PGSm for Peripheral Nerve Repair and Soft Tissue Engineering

PGSm was synthesized, and characterized chemically and mechanically. Porous PGSm was photocured into 3D foams. PGSm was printed via microstereolithography into nerve guidance conduits and tested for use in peripheral nerve repair in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Porous PGSm conduits were developed and tested ex vivo, with an intended use for larger gap injuries. Porous PGSm was developed into tunable microparticles and explored for use as a cartilage tissue-engineering scaffold. The polyHIPE was also developed as an in vitro neuronal model and a scaffold for ESCs. Results show the material was developed into a photocurable polymer, capable of being 3D printed into highly accurate NGCs. PGSm conduits performed well overall and regeneration into the distal stump was witnessed in vivo. Techniques were developed to photocure reproducible porous polyHIPE conduits, with promising initial in vitro/ex vivo results. Porous microparticles were seen to allow for the development of cartilage like tissue in vitro. Porous PGSm was used for neuronal models and stem cell scaffolds. In summary the developed PGSm is useful for simple and complex scaffolds for soft tissue engineering.