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Matthew Getzin

Engineering Grand Rounds


Questions
September 21, 2011

1. Would a naturally-derived collagen scaffold be more effective than the collagen-
based scaffold currently in use due to the naturally occurring growth factors and
cytokines that would be present?
2. s it possible to continuously stimulate the nerve in order to maintain its
functionality between the harvesting of the nerve from the fresh cadaver or leg
and the placing of the nerve in the injured area?
3. Cook Medical makes an antibiotic impregnated catheter used for venous
pressure monitoring, blood sampling and administration of drugs and fluids.
Would it be possible reduce the risk of infection while still delivering the important
solutions to the regenerating nerve?
4. To elaborate on the question above, the issue of removal came up it the
discussion of catheters. Would it be possible to use either a collagen-based or
polymer-based (easily broken down and removed from the body) tubing in the
catheter to allow time dependent administration of the essential fluids? The idea
is that structure could be maintained long enough to see the healing through an
then naturally-occurring tissue could once more become resident where the
tubing once was.
5. Regarding the concern of realignment of the severed nerve, could a type of
sleeve attachment system be implemented? Would it be possible to place both
ends of the nerve into this sleeve and test the connection at every orientation
without ever actually suturing the ends back together until the correct alignment
was found?
6. What if a port similar to those used for G tract rerouting was used to deliver the
solutions?
7. What if the same nerves were taken from fresh cadavers in order to maintain
homogeneity of the nerve?
8. What if the solutions could be delivered in another alternative drug delivery route
i.e. parenteral, oral, or transdermal?
9. What if some sort of bioabsrobable, drug-eluting stent was developed for the
purpose of nerve regeneration?
10. What if the scaffold was pre-conditioned with neuron precursor or Schwann
cells?

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