3D Printing Of A Biocompatible Scaffold And A Real-Time Imaging Window For Monitoring Rat Spinal Cord Regeneration

Abstract

The development of effective regenerative therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI) remains limited by two critical challenges: the absence of structurally optimized bridging scaffolds and the inability to monitor biological integration in real time. Conventional experimental approaches rely primarily on endpoint histological analysis, offering limited insight into the dynamic cellular processes underlying repair or failure. This thesis addresses these challenges through a dual-objective framework involving the fabrication of a biocompatible, 3D-printed neural scaffold and the development of a chronic spinal imaging window for longitudinal in vivo visualization. Candidate scaffold materials- polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and silicone- were evaluated to balance mechanical compliance with biological performance. While PLGA exhibited favorable mechanical characteristics, PCL demonstrated superior cytocompatibility, cellular attachment, and handling robustness. By integrating a regenerative scaffold with a platform for real-time monitoring, this work establishes an analytical framework to reduce translational risk and advance implant-based SCI therapies.