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Composite tissue-engineered intervertebral disc with self-assembled annular alignment

  • US 9,662,420 B2
  • Filed: 05/12/2015
  • Issued: 05/30/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of fabricating a tissue-engineered intervertebral disc (IVD) suitable for total disc replacement in a mammal, said method comprising:

  • providing a first gel comprising a first population of living cells that secrete a hydrophilic protein;

    forming the first gel into a predetermined shape and size;

    providing a second different gel comprising a second different population of living cells and type I collagen;

    contacting the formed first gel with the second gel at a region that extends circumferentially around the first gel; and

    storing the first and second gels under conditions effective for the collagen in the second gel to align circumferentially around the first gel by self-assembly of collagen due to cell-mediated gel contraction in the second gel, wherein the first gel forms a nucleus pulposus structure and the second gel forms an annulus fibrosus structure surrounding and in contact with the nucleus pulposus structure, thereby fabricating a tissue-engineered IVD suitable for total disc replacement in a mammal.

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