Scientists of Maastricht UMC+ and the TU Eindhoven are working together with DPI on research to restore damaged peripheral nerves with a new kind of biodegradable polymer. At this moment the research focuses on the development of porous material with a honeycomb structure to force nerve ends in the right direction.
Damaged nerves normally have the ability to grow again. But when they start to grow they tend to fan out and knot which causes pain sensation. To improve the healing process the nerve ends are placed in a tube with biodegradable polymer material which attracts growth-supporting cells to speed up the process. Dr. Inge van der Meulen, dr. Andreas Heise and prof. dr. Cor Koning are working on this project.
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