In-vitro mechanical loading of musculoskeletal tissues

Abstract

Musculoskeletal tissues produced in vitro are optimized in response to an externally applied mechanical load. The load applied may vary from tissue to tissue, depending upon the response desired, and may include intermittent axial, torsional, and bending loads to produce cortical structures. Compression alone is preferably applied to produce cancellous bone. A method according to the invention for culturing bone in vitro comprises: providing a culture vessel providing a scaffold material, supporting the scaffold material within the tissue culture vessel so as to be exposed to a tissue culture medium, and exerting a force on the scaffold material during growth of a bone construct (a cultured bone growth) around the scaffold material. Applicable apparatus preferably includes a culture vessel, holders for holding a scaffold within the tissue culture vessel, means for introducing a tissue culture medium to the tissue culture vessel, and an actuator adapted to apply a force to developing bone during the in vitro culture of the tissue, whether bone, cartilage, ligament, or composites thereof.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 850,659, filed May 7, 2001, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 202,282 filed May 5, 2000, the entire content of both of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to the in-vitro growth of musculoskeletal tissues, in particular bone, cartilage, and ligaments.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Musculoskeletal tissues are composed of a composite of cellular and matrix components. In vivo, the cells are generally believed to be derived from undifferentiated cell lines that respond to different stimuli, both chemical and mechanical, and then ultimately differentiate and produce a particular matrix providing a tissue with a given structure and function. Furthermore, musculoskeletal tissues in living organisms have the ability to adapt to mechanical and physiologic changes throughout life.[000...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is about optimizing the growth of muscle and bone tissues in the lab by using mechanical loads. The loads can be applied in different ways to produce different types of bone. The method involves using a scaffold material and applying a force on it during the growth of the bone. The apparatus includes a culture vessel, holders for the scaffold, and a mechanism for applying force to the bone. The technical effect is to improve the growth of bone tissues in the lab by controlling the mechanical environment.

Problems solved by technology

The authors had “encouraging” results in femoral condyle defects although the results were poor in the highly mechanically loaded patella.

Most of these products lack mechanical strength and structural properties approximate to the tissues they will support and rely on the healing of the host before adequate function can be restored

Peterson further fails to disclose the application of forces scaled by (such as proportional to) a relevant elastic modulus of the cultured structure.

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