Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining in vitro the capacity of a cell population to induce bone formation in vivo comprising the steps of: a) providing a sample of a cell population; b) dividing said sample into a first and a second part containing an equal number of cells; c) culturing the first part in the presence of an osteogenic stimulation factor; d) culturing the second part in the absence of an osteogenic stimulation factor; e) determining degrees of expression of a bone-specific protein; and f) comparing the degrees of expression of the bone-specific protein of the first part and the second part thereby providing a measure for the capacity of the bone cell population to induce bone formation in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for coating a medical implant, wherein the implant is submersed in an aqueous solution of magnesium, calcium and phosphate ions through which a gaseous weak acid is passed, the solution is degassed, and the coating is allowed to precipitate onto the implant. The invention further relates to a medical implant coated in said method and to a device for use in said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a culture medium for culturing cells, in particular human cells in a process for tissue engineering bone. The medium comprises glucose, a mineral, a vitamin, a growth factor and L-glutamine, wherein the L-glutamine is present in a concentration of at least 300 mg/L.

Abstract: The invention relates to an osteoinductive biomaterial, which is based on a ceramic material and which has a total porosity of 20 to 90%, wherein macropores are present having a size ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 mm, and wherein micropores are present having a size ranging from 0.05 to 20 &mgr;m. The invention further relates to a process for preparing said osteoinductive biomaterial.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tissue engineering a bone equivalent comprising a scaffold material, which scaffold material comprises a matrix based on a destructured, natural, starch-based polymer. The invention further relates to a process for tissue engineering said bone equivalent, a hybrid structure obtainable by said process, and to the use of said hybrid structure in various surgical treatments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tissue engineering a bone equivalent comprising a scaffold material, which scaffold material comprises a matrix based on a destructured, natural, starch-based polymer. The invention further relates to a process for tissue engineering said bone equivalent, a hybrid structure obtainable by said process, and to the use of said hybrid structure in various surgical treatments.

Abstract: The invention provides an implantable device coated with a layer of calcium phosphate and optionally one or more biologically active substances such as growth factors, lipis, (lipo)polysaccharides, hormones, proteins, antibiotics or cytostatics. The device can be obtained by a nanotechnology process comprising subjecting a substrate to a surface treatment until a surface roughness with an average peak distance (Ra value) between 10 and 1,000 nm and subjecting the roughened surface to precipitation of calcium phosphate from a solution containing calcium and phosphate ions with optional coprepitation of the biologically active substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for coating a medical implant, wherein the implant is submersed in an aqueous solution of magnesium, calcium and phosphate ions through which a gaseous weak acid is passed, the solution is degassed, and the coating is allowed to precipitate onto the implant. The invention further relates to a medical implant coated in said method and to a device for use in said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for an vitro production of bone tissue, comprising the steps of:

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for in vitro production of bone tissue, comprising the steps of: (a) applying undifferentiated mammalian cells, in particular autologous marrow cells, on a substrate; (b) directly contacting said cells with a culture medium for a sufficient time to produce a continuous matrix; (c) removing the substrate with the matrix from the culture medium. The produced matrix can be used for joint prostheses, maxillofacial implants, special surgery devices, or bone fillers. The contacted culture medium can also be used for the production of active factors such as growth factors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tissue engineering a bone equivalent comprising a scaffold material, which scaffold material comprises a matrix based on a destructured, natural, starch-based polymer. The invention further relates to a process for tissue engineering said bone equivalent, a hybrid structure obtainable by said process, and to the use of said hybrid structure in various surgical treatments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for coating a medical implant, wherein the implant is submersed in an aqueous solution of magnesium, calcium and phosphate ions through which a gaseous weak acid is passed, the solution is degassed, and the coating is allowed to precipitate onto the implant. The invention further relates to a medical implant coated in said method and to a device for use in said method.

Abstract: A device for bone tissue engineering is described which comprises a scaffold material consisting of a bioactive, osteoconductive and bone-bonding segmented thermoplastic copolyester and cultured osteogenic or osteoprogenitor cells, especially bone cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for coating a medical implant, wherein the implant is submersed in an aqueous solution of magnesium, calcium and phosphate ions through which a gaseous weak acid is passed, the solution is degassed, and the coating is allowed to precipitate onto the implant. The invention further relates to a medical implant coated in said method and to a device for use in said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for in vitro production of bone tissue, comprising the steps of:(a) applying undifferentiated mammalian cells, in particular autologous marrow cells, on a substrate;(b) directly contacting said cells with a culture medium for a sufficient time to produce a continuous matrix;(c) removing the substrate with the matrix from the culture medium.The produced matrix can be used for joint prostheses, maxillofacial implants, special surgery devices, or bone fillers. The contacted culture medium can also be used for the production of active factors such as growth factors.

Abstract: The invention provides an implantable device coated with a layer of calcium phosphate and optionally one or more biologically active substances such as growth factors, lipids, (lipo)polysaccharides, hormones, proteins, antibiotics or cytostatics. The device can be obtained by a nanotechnology process comprising subjecting a substrate to a surface treatment until a surface roughness with an average peak distance (Ra value) between 10 and 1,000 nm and subjecting the roughened surface to precipitation of calcium phosphate from a solution containing calcium and phosphate ions with optional coprecipitation of the biologically active substance.

Abstract: The invention provides an implantable device coated with a layer of calcium phosphate and optionally one or more biologically active substances such as growth factors, lipis, (lipo)polysaccharides, hormones, proteins, antibiotics or cytostatics. The device can be obtained by a nanotechnology process comprising subjecting a substrate to a surface treatment until a surface roughness with an average peak distance (Ra value) between 10 and 1,000 nm and subjecting the roughened surface to precipitation of calcium phosphate from a solution containing calcium and phosphate ions with optional coprepitation of the biologically active substance.