Composite tissue-engineered intervertebral disc with self-assembled annular alignment
First Claim
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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a tissue-engineered intervertebral disc (IVD) suitable for total disc replacement in a mammal and methods of fabrication. The IVD comprises a nucleus pulposus structure comprising a first population of living cells that secrete a hydrophilic protein and an annulus fibrosis structure surrounding and in contact with the nucleus pulposus structure, the annulus fibrosis structure comprising a second population of living cells and type I collagen. The collagen fibrils in the annulus fibrosis structure are circumferentially aligned around the nucleus pulposus region due to cell-mediated contraction in the annulus fibrosis structure. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating tissue-engineered intervertebral discs.
83 Citations
20 Claims
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. 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; providing a second different gel comprising a second different population of living cells and type I collagen; forming the second gel around a central mandrel structure; storing the second gel under conditions effective for the collagen in the second gel to align circumferentially around the central mandrel by self-assembly of collagen due to cell-mediated gel contraction in the second gel; replacing the central mandrel with the first 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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification