Transplantation of Schwann Cells Inside PVDF-TrFE Conduits to Bridge Transected Rat Spinal Cord Stumps to Promote Axon Regeneration Across the Gap

The overall goal of this surgical intervention procedure is to use a conduit filled with Schwann Cells and injectable matrix to establish a bridge between completely transected spinal cord stumps to promote axon regeneration across the bridge. Our goal is to bridge a spinal cord injury site in the rat to restore function. The injury that we are using is the creation of a complete transection gap.

It is only by using this kind of injury that we can say with assurance that the axons have regenerated when we find them in the injury site. The bridge that we are using is a polymer channel that contains Schwann Cells, Schwann Cells being so important for regeneration of axons. We show in this video how to introduce such a bridge into a complete transection gap.