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SUMMARY: UCSD researchers have developed
a method of tissue engineering that preserves the regional
distinctions within articular cartilaginous tissue.
This heterogeneous tissue has a considerable advantage
over other synthetic cartilage in that it more closely
resembles natural tissue, retaining many if not all
of the original biological functions. Biochemical, immunohistochemical
and biomechanical analyses have verified that articular
cartilage generated in this fashion retains its biological
properties to a much greater degree than tissues synthesized
via earlier procedures.
This method is relatively simple and cost-effective,
and could be easily scaled-up to produce large quantities
of engineered tissue.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The synthetic articular cartilage tissue produced using
these methods can be used for any medical condition
that would require a cartilage replacement. For example,
it can be surgically implanted for the repair of focal
cartilage defects or for the complete resurfacing of
a degenerate or arthritic joint.
CASE NUMBER: SD2001-214
INQUIRIES TO: invent@ucsd.edu
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