Tissue engineered tendons and ligaments

Abstract

Connective tissue, including neo-tendons and ligaments, has been constructed using biodegradable synthetic scaffolds seeded with tenocytes. The scaffolds are preferably formed from biodegradable fibers formed of a polymer such as polyglycolic acid-polylactic acid copolymers, and seeded with cells isolated from autologous tendon or ligament by means of enzymatic digestion or direct seeding into tissue culture dishes from explants. The cell polymer constructs are then surgically transplanted to replace missing segments of functioning tendon or ligament.

1 . A connective tissue construct comprising 
 synthetic, biodegradable biocompatible polymer fibers with an interstitial spacing between approximately 50 and 300 microns forming a matrix suitable for implantation to form connective tissue    having dissociated connective tissue cells therein in an amount effective to form connective tissue following implantation into a patient in need thereof.    
     
     
         2 . The construct of  claim 1  wherein the cells are selected from the group consisting of tenocytes, ligamentum cells, fibroblasts, and chondrocytes.  
     
     
         3 . The construct of  claim 1  wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(lactide), poly(glycolic acid), poly(lactide-co-glycolide), poly(caprolactone), polycarbonates, polyamides, polyanhydrides, polyamino acids, polyortho esters, polyacetals, degradable polycyanoacrylates, degradable polyurethanes, proteins, and polysaccharides.  
     
     
         4 . The construct of  claim 1  wherein the construct is implanted to form new tendon.  
     
     
         5 . The construct of  claim 1  wherein the construct is implanted to form new ligament.