Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an ex vivo method of producing a population of cells and materials for use therewith. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an ex vivo method of generating the growth of a population of blood-derived cells and materials for use therewith. The method of the present invention facilitates cell growth by virtue of the migration of blood-derived cells from the vasculature of a vascularised receptacle to the acellular tissue support matrix of said receptacle. These findings have now facilitated the design of means for reliably and efficiently deriving cellular populations from blood-derived cells, such as the generation of bone marrow cells including haemopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, for use in a wide variety of clinical and research settings.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of producing a population of cells and materials for use therewith. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method of generating the growth of a population of blood-derived cells and materials for use therewith. The method of the present invention facilitates cell growth by virtue of the migration of blood-derived cells from the vasculature of a vascularized receptacle to the acellular tissue support matrix of said receptacle. These findings have now facilitated the design of means for reliably and efficiently deriving cellular populations from blood-derived cells, such as the generation of bone marrow cells including haemopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, for use in a wide variety of clinical and research settings.

Abstract: An osteoimplant is provided which comprises a coherent aggregate of elongate bone particles, the osteoimplant possessing predetermined dimensions and shape. The osteoimplant is highly absorbent and sponge-like in nature. Also provided herein are a method of fabricating the osteoimplant and a method of repairing and/or treating bone defects utilizing the osteoimplant.

Abstract: An osteoimplant is provided which comprises a coherent aggregate of elongate bone particles, the osteoimplant possessing predetermined dimensions and shape. The osteoimplant is highly absorbent and sponge-like in nature. Also provided herein are a method of fabricating the osteoimplant and a method of repairing and/or treating bone defects utilizing the osteoimplant.

Abstract: A method of repairing and/or treating bone is provided. The method includes implanting at a repair site an osteoimplant having a coherent aggregate of entangled elongate bone particles mixed with a biocompatible fluid carrier, the osteoimplant being flexible and further being formed as a strip at least one end of which possesses a tab for facilitating combination with another implant.

Abstract: An osteoimplant is provided which comprises a coherent aggregate of elongate bone particles, the osteoimplant possessing predetermined dimensions and shape. The osteoimplant is highly absorbent and sponge-like in nature. Also provided herein are a method of fabricating the osteoimplant and a method of repairing and/or treating bone defects utilizing the osteoimplant.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an ex vivo method of producing a population of cells and materials for use therewith. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an ex vivo method of generating the growth of a population of blood-derived cells and materials for use therewith. The method of the present invention facilitates cell growth by virtue of the migration of blood-derived cells from the vasculature of a vascularised receptacle to the acellular tissue support matrix of said receptacle. These findings have now facilitated the design of means for reliably and efficiently deriving cellular populations from blood-derived cells, such as the generation of bone marrow cells including haemopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, for use in a wide variety of clinical and research settings.

Abstract: An osteoimplant is provided which comprises a coherent aggregate of elongate bone particles, the osteoimplant possessing predetermined dimensions and shape. The osteoimplant is highly absorbent and sponge-like in nature. Also provided herein are a method of fabricating the osteoimplant and a method of repairing and/or treating bone defects utilizing the osteoimplant.

Abstract: An osteoimplant is made up of a coherent aggregate of elongate bone particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of producing a population of cells and materials for use therewith. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method of generating the growth of a population of blood-derived cells and materials for use therewith. The method of the present invention facilitates cell growth by virtue of the migration of blood-derived cells from the vasculature of a vascularised receptacle to the acellular tissue support matrix of said receptacle. These findings have now facilitated the design of means for reliably and efficiently deriving cellular populations from blood-derived cells, such as the generation of bone marrow cells including haemopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, for use in a wide variety of clinical and research settings.

Abstract: An osteoimplant is made up of a coherent aggregate of elongate bone particles.

Abstract: An improved demineralized bone matrix (DBM) or other matrix composition is provided that has been mixed with a stabilizing agent that acts as (1) a diffusion barrier, (2) a enzyme inhibitor, (3) a competitive substrate, or (4) a masking moiety. A diffusion barrier acts as a barrier so as to protect the osteoinductive factors found in DBM from being degraded by proteolytic and glycolytic enzymes at the implantation site. Stabilizing agents may be any biodegradable material such as starches, modified starches, cellulose, dextran, polymers, proteins, and collagen. As the stabilizing agents degrades or dissolves in vivo, the osteoinductive factors such as TGF-.beta., BMP, and IGF are activated or exposed, and the activated factors work to recruit cells from the preivascular space to the site of injury and to cause differentiation into bone-forming cells. The invention also provides methods of preparing, testing, and using the inventive improved osteodinductive matrix compositions.

Abstract: An improved demineralized bone matrix (DBM) or other matrix composition is provided that has been mixed with a stabilizing agent that acts as (1) a diffusion barrier, (2) a enzyme inhibitor, (3) a competitive substrate, or (4) a masking moiety. A diffusion barrier acts as a barrier so as to protect the osteoinductive factors found in DBM from being degraded by proteolytic and glycolytic enzymes at the implantation site. Stabilizing agents may be any biodegradable material such as starches, modified starches, cellulose, dextran, polymers, proteins, and collagen. As the stabilizing agents degrades or dissolves in vivo, the osteoinductive factors such as TGF-.beta., BMP, and IGF are activated or exposed, and the activated factors work to recruit cells from the preivascular space to the site of injury and to cause differentiation into bone-forming cells.

Abstract: An osteoimplant is made up of a coherent aggregate of elongate bone particles.

Abstract: An improved demineralized bone matrix (DBM) or other matrix composition is provided that has been mixed with a stabilizing agent that acts as (1) a diffusion barrier, (2) a enzyme inhibitor, (3) a competitive substrate, or (4) a masking moiety. A diffusion barrier acts as a barrier so as to protect the osteoinductive factors found in DBM from being degraded by proteolytic and glycolytic enzymes at the implantation site. Stabilizing agents may be any biodegradable material such as starches, modified starches, cellulose, dextran, polymers, proteins, and collagen. As the stabilizing agents degrades or dissolves in vivo, the osteoinductive factors such as TGF-?, BMP, and IGF are activated or exposed, and the activated factors work to recruit cells from the preivascular space to the site of injury and to cause differentiation into bone-forming cells. The invention also provides methods of preparing, testing, and using the inventive improved osteodinductive matrix compositions.

Abstract: An osteoimplant is provided which comprises a coherent aggregate of elongate bone particles, the osteoimplant possessing predetermined dimensions and shape. The osteoimplant is highly absorbent and sponge-like in nature. Also provided herein are a method of fabricating the osteoimplant and a method of repairing and/or treating bone defects utilizing the osteoimplant.

Abstract: An improved demineralized bone matrix (DBM) or other matrix composition is provided that has been mixed with a stabilizing agent that acts as (1) a diffusion barrier, (2) a enzyme inhibitor, (3) a competitive substrate, or (4) a masking moiety. A diffusion barrier acts as a barrier so as to protect the osteoinductive factors found in DBM from being degraded by proteolytic and glycolytic enzymes at the implantation site. Stabilizing agents may be any biodegradable material such as starches, modified starches, cellulose, dextran, polymers, proteins, and collagen. As the stabilizing agents degrades or dissolves in vivo, the osteoinductive factors such as TGF-&bgr;, BMP, and IGF are activated or exposed, and the activated factors work to recruit cells from the preivascular space to the site of injury and to cause differentiation into bone-forming cells. The invention also provides methods of preparing, testing, and using the inventive improved osteodinductive matrix compositions.

Abstract: An osteoimplant is provided which comprises a coherent aggregate of elongate bone particles, the osteoimplant possessing predetermined dimensions and shape. The osteoimplant is highly absorbent and sponge-like in nature. Also provided herein are a method of fabricating the osteoimplant and a method of repairing and/or treating bone defects utilizing the osteoimplant.