Reinforced matrices

• US 6,444,222 B1
• Filed: 05/08/2001
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verigen AG (Sanofi )
• Original Assignee: Verigen Transplantation Services International AG
• Inventors: Asculai, Samuel, Giannetti, Bruno
• Primary Examiner(s): Page, Thurman K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FUBARA, BLESSING M
• Application Number:
  US09/850,966
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 424/484, 424/93.21, 424/94.1, 424/422, 424/424
• US Class Current: 424/484
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/32 Bones; Osteocytes; Osteoblasts; Tendons; Tenocytes; Teeth; Odontoblasts; Cartilage; Chondrocytes; Synovial membrane
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/012 from animals
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/227 Other specific proteins or polypeptides not covered by A61L27/222, A61L27/225 or A61L27/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/26 Mixtures of macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/38 containing added animal cells organs or tissue containing native cells A61L27/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3817 Cartilage-forming cells, e.g. pre-chondrocytes
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3843 Connective tissue
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 5/08 Chitin; Chondroitin sulfate; Hyaluronic acid; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 89/06 derived from leather or skin , e.g. gelatin

Abstract

A reinforced matrix membrane containing one or more scaffold-forming proteins suitable for cell growth and for use in chondrocyte cell transplantation, and method of making same. The scaffold is incubated with the collagen matrix in solutions, colloidal dispersions, or suspensions of stabilizing proteins. The reinforced matrix may be used in tissue engineering, cartilage transplantation, bone and cartilage grafting, healing, joint repair and the prevention of arthritic pathologies.

Claims

1. A method for making a reinforced matrix comprising

incubating collagen with a scaffold-forming protein to form a mixture;

lyophilizing the mixture to form a fleece material; and

pressing the fleece material into sheets to form the matrix.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the collagen is Type II collagen.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the collagen is Type I collagen and Type III collagen.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the scaffold-forming protein is hydrophobic non-glycosylated protein.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the scaffold-forming protein is elastin.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the scaffold-forming protein comprises elastin fibers.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the scaffold forming protein is soluble elastin.

8. The method of claim 1 with pH limit/temperature/time limitations.

9. A reinforced fleece membrane comprising a collagen matrix and a scaffold-forming protein.

10. The membrane of claim 9 wherein the collagen is Type II collagen.

11. The membrane of claim 9 wherein the collagen is Type I collagen and Type III collagen.

12. The membrane of claim 9 wherein the collagen is non-cross-linked.

13. The membrane of claim 9 wherein the collagen is cross-linked.

14. The membrane of claim 9 wherein the collagen is natural collagen.

15. The membrane of claim 9 wherein the scaffold-forming protein is hydrophobic non-glycosylated protein.

16. The membrane of claim 15 wherein the scaffold-forming protein comprises elastin.

17. The membrane of claim 9 wherein the scaffold-forming protein comprises elastic fibers.

18. The membrane of claim 9 wherein the scaffold forming protein is soluble elastin.

19. A composition for implantation or for arthroscopic surgery comprised of chondrocytes and a fleece membrane comprising a collagen matrix and a scaffold-forming protein.