3D Printed Implants Provide Potential New Routes to Repair Spinal Cord Injury

Research teams from the RCSI University of Medical and Health Sciences will develop 3D printed implants to supply electrical stimulation to areas with damaged spinal cords, providing potential new routes to repair nerve damage.

Details of the 3D printed implants and how to perform them in lab experiments can be found in the Journal Advanced Science.

Spinal cord injury is a life-changing condition that can lead to paralysis, loss of sensation and chronic pain. In Ireland, more than 2,300 individuals and families live with spinal cord injuries, but there is currently no treatment to effectively repair the injury. However, therapeutic electrical stimulation at the site of injury has shown the potential to promote neurons (neurons).

Although it has been historically difficult to promote neuronal regrowth after spinal cord injury, our group develops electrically conductive biomaterials that can lead to electrical stimulation across the injury, helping the body repair damaged tissue. The unique environment offered by the Amber Center, where biomedical engineers, biologists and material scientists work together to solve epic social challenges, offers a great opportunity for such disruptive innovation.

Professor Fergal O’Brien, Associate Vice-Chancellor of Bioengineering and Regenerative Medicine Research and Innovation at RCSI, and Professor of Bioengineering and Regenerative Medicine at RCSI’s Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG)

This study was led by researchers at Terg at RCSI and researchers at Research Ireland’s Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER). The team used ultracin nanomaterials from the Faculty of Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin and the Institute of Professor Valeria Nicolosi of Amber, which is typically used for applications such as battery design and is integrated into softgel-like structures using 3D printing technology.

The resulting implants feature a fine mesh of small fibers that mimic the structure of the human spinal cord and can conduct electricity to cells. When tested in the lab, implants were shown to effectively deliver electrical signals to neurons and stem cells and increase their ability to grow.

We found that changing the fiber layout within the implant also further improves its effectiveness.

“These 3D printed materials allow us to coordinate the delivery of electrical stimuli to control regeneration, potentially enabling a new generation of medical devices for traumatic spinal cord injuries.” “Beyond spinal cord repair, this technology also has the potential for cardiac, orthopedic and neurological treatment applications where electrical signaling can promote healing.”

Researchers from RCSI and Amber have collaborated with the project’s Irish Rugby Football Union Charlieu Trust (IRFU-CT) to gather advisory panels to oversee and guide the research. The group included serious injuries to rugby players, clinicians, neuroscientists and researchers.

“Through their expertise, the advisory board has helped us to improve our understanding of the living experiences, treatment priorities and new treatment approaches of individuals with spinal cord injuries,” said Dr. Woods. “Our regular meetings allow for a consistent exchange of inputs, ideas and results.”

This study was supported by the fellowship of postdocs from the Irish Rugby Football Union Charlieu Trust, Amber Ireland Centre for Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research, and the Irish Research Council of Ireland.