Year

2016

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

School of Science in Biomimetics

Abstract

Peripheral nerve damage affects thousands of people every year. While less severe injuries usually heal over time, surgery is the only option to attempt restoration of sensation and function in severely damaged peripheral nerves. Autologous nerve grafting is currently the most successful and commonly used treatment for injuries of the peripheral nervous system. The functional outcomes of autografting are still far from ideal and further limitations result from the need to sacrifice a nerve from elsewhere in the body. To overcome these limitations research has focussed on the development of artificial nerve conduits which are designed to support the damaged nerve to reconnect.

FoR codes (2008)

0903 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, 0910 MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING, 1004 MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY, 1109 NEUROSCIENCES

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Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.