23 Jul HYBRID TISSUES FOR TISSUE ENGINEERING
Abstract
This invention provides artificial tissues for repair, augmentation and reconstructive surgery which have mechanical properties comparable to the natural tissues that they supplement or replace. In general, this invention provides a tissue engineering method comprising seeding a polymer matrix with a first cell type and a second cell type; and culturing the seeded matrix under conditions suitable for cell growth or maintenance, whereby a tissue comprising a mixed cell population containing both the first and second cell types is produced. The invention also provides an implantable structural member with controlled biomechanical properties to provide the required structural support in the area of an anatomical defect which requires structural support for use in treating a patient having the defect. It has been discovered by the present inventors that the tissue produced by the method of this invention contains a mixed population in which two cell types are intimately associated without apparent stratification and has mechanical properties which are intermediate between similarly produced tissues containing only one of the two cell types.
Year: 1999
Country: WO
Doc No: 9925396