FIG. 6.

Response to 2-week implantation of device. (a) A nerve gap was created by removal of 10 mm segment from the rat sciatic nerve. (b) Following 2 weeks of implantation, minor fibrosis was observed at the implantation site. (c) The stainless steel backbone was cleanly extracted at 2 weeks. (d) The proximal stump was still securely held by the nerve cuff (red arrow), and the regenerating tip extended beyond the cuff ∼6 mm (blue arrow). (e, f) In the absence of device implantation the two stumps remained disconnected and misaligned. A bulge was observed at the proximal stump and the degenerating distal stump appeared fused with surrounding fatty/connective tissue. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tec