Selective cell proliferation can be controlled with CPC particle coatings.

To develop implantable, engineered, cartilage constructs supported by a scaffold, techniques to encourage rapid tissue growth into, and on the scaffold are essential. Preliminary studies indicated that human endothelial cells proliferated at different rates on different calcium phosphate ceramic (CPC) particles. Judicious selection of particles may encourage specific cell proliferation, leading to an ordered growth of tissues for angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and chondrogenesis.

Sensate scaffolds can reliably detect joint loading.

Treatment of cartilage defects is essential to the prevention of osteoarthritis. Scaffold-based cartilage tissue engineering shows promise as a viable technique to treat focal defects. Added functionality can be achieved by incorporating strain gauges into scaffolds, thereby providing a real-time diagnostic measurement of joint loading.

A comparison of the effects of radiofrequency treatment and mechanical shaving for meniscectomy.

Purpose: The goal of this ex vivo pilot study was to compare radiofrequency treatment with cutting and shaving treatment of meniscal tears by use of a mechanical testing procedure and electron microscopy to establish the mechanical characteristics and qualitative appearance of meniscal tissue after the use of each of these procedures.

Methods: In this study 136 menisci were explanted and divided into 4 groups: a damaged, untreated control group; a group damaged in the same way as the control group and treated by mechanical shaving of the meniscal tear; a group damaged in a similar way and then treated by radiofrequency by use of a radiofrequency wand; and a fourth group in which plunge-cutting by use of the radiofrequency wand was used to resect the tissue, beginning at the superior surface of the meniscus in a place that corresponded to the location of the meniscal tears. The menisci were then tested for strength by applying radial tension to the tear.

An instrumented scaffold can monitor loading in the knee joint.

No technique has been consistently successful in the repair of large focal defects in cartilage, particularly in older patients. Tissue-engineered cartilage grown on synthetic scaffolds with appropriate mechanical properties will provide an implant, which could be used to treat this problem. A means of monitoring loads and pressures acting on cartilage, at the defect site, will provide information needed to understand integration and survival of engineered tissues.