2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (28): 6127-6137

New ideas and opportunities for polyurethane materials in peripheral nerve repair

Lan Xiaoqian1, Feng Guangli1, Qin Shiyi1, Zhong Lianmei2, Li Qing3   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Polyurethane materials, with their outstanding physicochemical properties, present extensive opportunities in the realm of biomedical engineering. Biomimetic design and functional modification of polyurethane nerve conduits are expected to further address the challenges of nerve regeneration and repair.
OBJECTIVE: To review the current status and advancements in the application of polyurethane-based nerve conduits in the field of peripheral nerve repair.
METHODS: The Chinese and English search terms consisted of “polyurethane, PU, polyurethane material, polyurethane biomaterials, nerve regeneration, peripheral nerve injury, nerve repair, nerve scaffold, nerve guidance conduit, nerve conduits.” The search was conducted in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), and WanFang for articles published from 2014 to 2024. Finally, 61 articles were included in the review.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Biomimetic composition is an effective strategy for enhancing the biological activity of polyurethane nerve conduits. Through structural biomimicry, polyurethane nerve conduits can be optimized to provide biological guidance cues for neural tissue regeneration. The biomechanically biomimetic polyurethane nerve conduits are likely to play a significant role in immune modulation and the promotion of axonal growth. By optimizing the conductive microenvironment of polyurethane materials, the reconstruction of neural electrical signal pathways can be facilitated. Polyurethane nerve conduits can serve as drug carriers, exerting anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Although the combined application of multiple design strategies can improve various aspects of damaged nerve function, the complex structure and dynamically changing pathophysiological microenvironment of nerves mean that nerve conduit design strategies still require refinement. Future advancements and innovations in nerve biomimetic design strategies hold promise for providing new insights and opportunities in the field of neural tissue engineering.

Key words: polyurethane, peripheral nerve repair, nerve conduit, tissue engineering, functional optimization, conduit design, engineered nerve, engineered biomaterial