Abstract: A bioreactor system. A supply container receives a cultivation solution. A bioreactor container is connected to the supply container and includes a porous carrier. The porous carrier carries a plurality of cells. The cultivation solution circulates between the supply container and the bioreactor container, providing needed nutrients to the cells.

Abstract: Bactericidal compositions are disclosed that comprise a polymeric compound immobilized on a material. Medical devices are also disclosed which comprise such a bactericidal composition. Methods are disclosed for covalently derivatizing the surfaces of common materials with an antibacterial polycation, e.g., poly(vinyl-N-pyridinium bromide); the first step of the methods involves coating the surface with a nanolayer of silica. Various commercial synthetic polymers derivatized in this manner are bactericidal, i.e., they kill on contact up to 99% of deposited Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, whether deposited through air or water.

Abstract: A method for preparing porous bioceramic bone substitute materials is disclosed, which includes the following steps: (a) providing a cancellous bone of animals, (b) removing organic substances in the cancellous bone by thermal processing to obtain de-organic cancellous bone, (c) soaking the de-organic cancellous bone in a solution of phosphate salts, and (d) obtaining the porous bioceramic materials by sintering between 600 to 900° C. The porous bioceramic bone substitute materials of the present invention are suitable for use as filling materials of bone defect.

Abstract: A tissue homogenizer. The tissue homogenizer comprises a first chamber, a pair of blades, a first filter and a second filter. The first chamber has a first opening and a second opening. The blades are disposed in the first chamber. The first filter is disposed in the first chamber between the first opening and the blades. The second filter is disposed in the first chamber between the second opening and the blades. A tissue piece is placed between the first filter and the second filter cut by the blade, and moved by a fluid through the second filter to generate homogenized tissue pieces.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and carrier for culturing multi-layered tissue in vitro, wherein few amounts of tissue blocks and cells are positioned within a porous multi-layer carrier consisting of a cavity structure. By taking advantage of the structure of the carrier, tissue blocks and cells are separated into different layers according to their sizes, and incubated in vitro to reconstruct a multi-layered tissue for tissue repair.

Abstract: A process for producing porous polymer material. The method combines a polymer and water-soluble granules to form a mixture. The mixture is placed into a mold; the surface of the polymer is dissolved to cause cohesion and form a polymer structure having water-soluble granules dispersed within, and water is introduced into the inner part of the polymer structure so that the polymer is solidified and water-soluble granules are washed out to obtain a porous polymer material. According to the invention, single or multiple layers of porous polymer material with different apertures, porosities, or made with different materials, are obtained by combining different polymer materials and water-soluble granules having different particle sizes in different weight ratios.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and carrier for culturing multi-layered tissue in vitro, wherein few amounts of tissue blocks and cells are positioned within a porous multi-layer carrier consisting of a cavity structure. By taking advantage of the structure of the carrier, tissue blocks and cells are separated into different layers according to their sizes, and incubated in vitro to reconstruct a multi-layered tissue for tissue repair.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for preparing a hydrophilic porous polymeric material comprising the step of mixing a hydrophilic polymeric material with a hydrophobic material; solvent sintering the surface of the hydrophilic polymeric material with water or an aqueous solution; and removing the hydrophobic material contained within the hydrophilic polymeric material with a massive organic solvent. Thus, the hydrophilic porous polymeric material with high porosity and stable structure is rapidly mass produced.

Abstract: A process for producing porous polymer material. The method combines a polymer and water-soluble granules to form a mixture. The mixture is placed into a mold; the surface of the polymer is dissolved to cause cohesion and form a polymer structure having water-soluble granules dispersed within, and water is introduced into the inner part of the polymer structure so that the polymer is solidified and water-soluble granules are washed out to obtain a porous polymer material. According to the invention, single or multiple layers of porous polymer material with different apertures, porosities, or made with different materials, are obtained by combining different polymer materials and water-soluble granules having different particle sizes in different weight ratios.

Abstract: The method for tissue culture in vitro of the present invention is to partially digest the tissue blocks via enzyme, and then seed the partially digested tissue blocks into the hollow cavity of the porous chamber, wherein tissue grow three-dimensionally inside-out toward the surrounding pores of the porous chamber, thus new tissue is proliferated directly with the original tissue form, a method that cultures tissue needed in vitro by using the smallest quantity of tissue within the shortest period of time.

Abstract: Bactericidal compositions are disclosed that comprise a polymeric compound immobilized on a material. Medical devices are also disclosed which comprise such a bactericidal composition. Methods are disclosed for covalently derivatizing the surfaces of common materials with an antibacterial polycation, e.g., poly(vinyl-N-pyridinium bromide); the first step of the methods involves coating the surface with a nanolayer of silica. Various commercial synthetic polymers derivatized in this manner are bactericidal, i.e., they kill on contact up to 99% of deposited Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, whether deposited through air or water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing porous polymer materials. In the present invention, a polymer material and a soluble material are mixed in their solid states. The surface of the polymer material is partially dissolved and fused by introducing a solvent. The present invention makes use of a pressure difference while introducing a non-solvent into the polymer material to solidify and resolve the solved polymer material. Then, a substantial amount of water is used to wash the inside soluble material out. Therefore, the porous polymer materials with high porosity and interconnecting pores inside the materials are produced massively and rapidly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for preparing a hydrophilic porous polymeric material comprising the step of mixing a hydrophilic polymeric material with a hydrophobic material; solvent sintering the surface of the hydrophilic polymeric material with water or an aqueous solution; and removing the hydrophobic material contained within the hydrophilic polymeric material with a massive organic solvent. Thus, the hydrophilic porous polymeric material with high porosity and stable structure is rapidly mass produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing porous polymer materials. In the present invention, a polymer material and a soluble material are mixed in their solid states. The surface of the polymer material is partially dissolved and fused by introducing a solvent. The present invention makes use of a pressure difference while introducing a non-solvent into the polymer material to solidify and resolve the solved polymer material. Then, a substantial amount of water is used to wash the inside soluble material out. Therefore, the porous polymer materials with high porosity and interconnecting pores inside the materials are produced massively and rapidly.

Abstract: A biphasic cement of &agr;-TCP/HAP is primarily composed of 30-60 wt % &agr;-tricalcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2, &agr;-TCP) and 40-70 wt % of hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HAP). The biphasic cement of &agr;-TCP/HAP of the present invention is superior since it can set rapidly while soaking in a water solution. The present invention also provides a process for preparing the biphasic cement of &agr;-TCP/HAP, in which the composition of the biphasic cement of &agr;-TCP/HAP can be controlled.

Abstract: A process for preparing porous bioceramic materials includes the following steps: (a) using the cancellous bone of animals, (b) removing organic substances in the cancellous bone by thermal processing to obtain de-organic cancellous bone, (c) soaking the de-organic cancellous bone in a solution of phosphate salts, and (d) obtaining porous bioceramic materials by sintering up to 900.degree. C. or higher after dehydration. The porous bioceramic materials of the present invention are suitable for use as filling materials for bone defect.