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Three-dimensional Reconstruction of the Microstructure of Human Acellular Nerve Allograft
- Source :
- Scientific Reports
- Publication Year :
- 2016
- Publisher :
- Nature Publishing Group, 2016.
-
Abstract
- The exact inner 3D microstructure of the human peripheral nerve has been a mystery for decades. Therefore, it has been difficult to solve several problems regarding peripheral nerve injury and repair. We used high-resolution X-ray computed microtomography (microCT) to scan a freeze-dried human acellular nerve allograft (hANA). The microCT images were then used to reconstruct a 3D digital model, which was used to print a 3D resin model of the nerve graft. The 3D digital model of the hANA allowed visualization of all planes. The magnified 3D resin model clearly showed the nerve bundles and basement membrane tubes of the hANA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyse the microstructure of the hANA. Compared to the SEM images, the microCT image clearly demonstrated the microstructure of the hANA cross section at a resolution of up to 1.2 μm. The 3D digital model of the hANA facilitates a clear and easy understanding of peripheral nerve microstructure. Furthermore, the enlarged 3D resin model duplicates the unique inner structure of each individual hANA. This is a crucial step towards achieving 3D printing of a hANA or nerve that can be used as a nerve graft.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
X-ray microtomography
Materials science
Article
03 medical and health sciences
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
0302 clinical medicine
Peripheral nerve
Microscopy
Humans
Computer Simulation
Peripheral Nerves
Multidisciplinary
Nerve allograft
Nerve graft
Organ Transplantation
X-Ray Microtomography
Anatomy
Allografts
Microstructure
030104 developmental biology
Computed microtomography
Printing, Three-Dimensional
Peripheral nerve injury
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20452322
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Scientific Reports
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....3fcde2c34010a8b41fa63a8cc27f8b28
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/srep30694