Interaction ofCartilage andCeramic Matrix - Tissue Engineering: Cell-Surface Interactions for Tissue Culture - page 301

Cartilage defect Cartilage defect

Cartilage-carrier-construct
for implantation

Cartilage-carrier-construct
fo r im plant atio n

Biopsy
(autologous)

Biopsy
(autolo gou s)

OP

in vitro

High density
cell culture (Step d)

High density
cell culture (Step d)

Proliferation on
carrier (Step b)

Proliferation on
carrier (Step b)

Proliferation
(Step a)

Proliferation
(Step a)

Cultivation in an
alginate gel
(Step c)

Cultivation in an
alginate gel
(Step c)

Fig. 1 Cultivation principle for the generation of cartilage-carrier constructs according to
Meenen, Adamietz, Goepfert et al

from the surrounding tissue. However, no in vivo resorption or remodelling of
the calcium phosphate carrier (Calcibon , Biomet, Germany) by bone could be
observed. As a result, the carrier was not integrated into the bone to an adequate
level [ 34 ]. For comparison of this cultivation principle with other types of bilay-
ered osteochondral scaffolds, we refer to the detailed review published by O'Shea
et al. [ 9 ].
The commercially available carrier Sponceram HA (Zellwerk, Germany) with
diameter of 4.55 mm and thickness of 2 mm was used for the generation of
osteochondral implants. The carrier consisted of hydroxyapatite, derived by sin-
tering ground porcine bone. Hydroxyapatite was chosen as the bone substitute
material as it offers biocompatible, bioactive, osteoconductive and in some
cases even osteoinductive properties [ 38 , 39 ]. The investigation of this carrier for
cartilage tissue engineering—the second phase of osteochondral implants—is
described in the following.
Important measurable parameters amongst others are porosity, surface
structure, hardness, Young's modulus and the determination of surface groups.