Advances in 3D printing scaffolds for peripheral nerve and spinal cord injury repair

Abstract Because of the complex nerve anatomy and limited regeneration ability natural tissue, current treatment effect for long-distance peripheral spinal cord injury (SCI) repair is not satisfactory. As an alternative method, tissue engineering a promising method to regenerate cord, can provide structures functions similar tissues through scaffold materials seed cells. Recently, rapid development 3D printing technology enables researchers create novel constructs with sophisticated diverse achieve high bionics functions. In this review, we first outlined as well strategies SCI in clinical. After that, design considerations were discussed, various technologies applicable neural elaborated, including inkjet, extrusion-based, stereolithography, projection-based, emerging technologies. Finally, focused on application repair, challenges prospects research field.