THREE-DIMENSIONAL SCAFFOLDS, METHODS FOR FABRICATING THE SAME, AND METHODS OF TREATING A PERIPHERAL NERVE OR SPINAL OR SPINAL CORD INJURY

摘要

One aspect of the invention provides a three-dimensional scaffold including at least one layer of highly- aligned fibers. The at least one layer of highly- aligned fibers is curved in a direction substantially perpendicular to a general direction of the fibers. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for fabricating a three-dimensional scaffold. The method includes: electro spinning a plurality of fibers to produce at least one layer of highly- aligned fibers and forming the at least one layer of highly-aligned fibers into a three-dimensional scaffold without disturbing the alignment of the highly- aligned polymer fibers. A further aspect of the invention provides methods for using a three-dimensional scaffold to treat nerve or spinal cord injury.