3D Printing of Collagen Nerve Scaffold with Multichannel Characteristics

Abstract

Given the difficulty in preparing multichannel nerve scaffolds for peripheral nerve repair, a method of manufacturing multichannel collagen nerve scaffolds by multi-nozzle 3D printing technology was proposed. Gelatin material is used as the core melting material because of its temperature-sensitive characteristics. A collagen nerve scaffold with a multichannel structure was manufactured by temperature-rising removal after printing, and the scaffold with different collagen concentrations was analyzed and evaluated in terms of microtubule diameter and mechanical properties. The research results show that the mechanical properties of the scaffold are gradually enhanced with an increase in collagen concentration. When the concentration of collagen is between 5% and 6%, the quality of the microtubule is significantly improved compared with the 4% collagen scaffold. Combined with the distribution of microtubule diameter, a lower concentration of collagen will lead to the collapse and deformation of the print structure, while a higher concentration of collagen will lead to the existence of voids in the print structure. Considering the manufacturing process, microtubule diameter, and mechanical properties of collagen nerve scaffold, 5% collagen nerve scaffold is the best and is expected to meet the requirements of peripheral nerve regeneration.