Magnetic Field-Assisted Conductive Nerve Guidance Conduit Enabling Peripheral Nerve Regeneration with Wireless Electrical Stimulation

Nerve guidance conduits capable of wireless stimulation represent a promising approach for addressing peripheral nerve defects. However, traditional electrical stimulation methods are not sufficiently convenient and may cause secondary damage. In this study, a conductive nerve guidance conduit combined with wireless electrical stimulation using alternating magnetic fields is presented. The conduit coated with nanographene and incorporated with Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles induces currents and creates a supportive microenvironment enhancing nerve regeneration. Finite element analysis confirms that the conduit generates electromotive force under an external alternating magnetic field. The conduit exhibits improved morphology, physicochemical properties, and conductivity by six orders of magnitude. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the conduit promotes Schwann cell proliferation, migration, and intercellular communication through microcurrents, as well as neuronal axon extension. TEM images confirm axon extension and myelin sheath thickness, indicating its high conductivity and efficiency in promoting nerve regeneration across defects. In vivo studies show that the conduit generated microcurrent using wireless electromagnetic stimulation, significantly enhancing myelin restoration, gastrocnemius muscle regeneration, motor function recovery, and nerve tissue growth, achieving results comparable to the gold-standard autograft method. Overall, this work highlights the effectiveness of electromagnetic induction in nerve repair and presents a new, non-invasive stimulation for peripheral nerve regeneration.