Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 9.38
The reexposed sites of nerve implantation following transfusion of animals at 20 weeks after implantation for
the “chitin” nerve guidance conduits (a) and the chitosan nerve guidance conduits (b). Degradation of chitin-
and chitosan-based nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) was observed. (From Yang, Y. M. et al. 2009. 11: B209-B218.
With permission.)
similar to chitosan. It can be degraded quickly by lysozyme due to its solubility at physi-
ological pH. Compared with chitosan conduit, easier supply of nutrients and oxygen into
the partially decomposed tube wall can occur, which results in better nerve regeneration
of the carboxymethyl chitosan conduits [198]. Apart from these, incorporating other mate-
rials with a high degradation rate, such as collagen, gelatin, PDLLA, and so on, is an effec-
tive method to modulate the degradation rate of chitosan-based conduits.
9.5.6 liver
Each year, end-stage liver disease claims thousands of lives in the world. Currently, there
is very little effective treatment for the most severe liver diseases. Orthotopic liver trans-
plant is currently the only treatment for end-stage liver disease; there are 65,000 people
in China and 27,000 people in the Unite States who need to receive liver transplants.
Unfortunately, the demand for liver transplantation far exceeds the limited supply; only
2000-3000 people can receive the transplantation surgery. In addition, liver transplanta-
tion is far from the ideal treatment owing to its high cost, the adverse effects associated
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