Transplant/implant device and method for its production
First Claim
1. An implant for in vivo production of at least one predetermined biologically active compound, said implant comprising chondrocytes producing and maintaining an extracellular matrix and artificial particles producing the at least one predetermined compound, wherein at least some of the artificial particles are disposed within the extracellular matrix and other than the artificial particles, the implant is generated in vitro without the use of a three dimensional artificial matrix.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transplant/implant device for delivering at least one predetermined biologically active compound to a human or animal host system or for another biological function in the host system is produced by genetically engineering vital chondrocytes or mixing chondrocytes with another type of native or genetically engineered cells or mixing chondrocytes with artificial particles having a size comparable to the size of cells or combining at least two of the named steps of engineering or mixing and by subjecting the chondrocytes or the mixture comprising the chondrocytes to three dimensional culture conditions for in vitro production of cartilaginous tissue whereby the cells and/or the artificial particles are immobilized in the cartilaginous tissue. The chondrocytes produce and maintain the cartilaginous tissue and the chondrocytes themselves or cells of another cell type immobilized in the cartilaginous tissue are able to produce and secrete the at least one predetermined compound.
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Citations
15 Claims
- 1. An implant for in vivo production of at least one predetermined biologically active compound, said implant comprising chondrocytes producing and maintaining an extracellular matrix and artificial particles producing the at least one predetermined compound, wherein at least some of the artificial particles are disposed within the extracellular matrix and other than the artificial particles, the implant is generated in vitro without the use of a three dimensional artificial matrix.
Specification