Abstract: A method for treating or repairing osteochondral damage in a subject in need thereof, including administering to the subject a cell preparation comprising pluripotent stem cells positive for SSEA-3 isolated from a body mesenchymal tissue or cultured mesenchymal cells. The pluripotent stem cells have all of the following properties: (i) CD105-positivity; (ii) low or absent telomerase activity; (iii) having ability to differentiate into any of three germ layers; (iv) absence of demonstration of neoplastic proliferation; and (v) self-renewal ability. The pluripotent stem cells are administered at 1×103 cells to 2×107 cells as individual.

Abstract: Provided is a technique that makes it possible to efficiently guide a magnetized cell by application of a magnetic field. The magnetized cell contains iron oxide, the magnetized cell containing iron, derived from the iron oxide, in an amount of not less than 35 pg/cell.

Abstract: Multilineage-differentiating stress enduring (Muse) cells are stage-specific embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA-3) positive cells that exist in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) populations. Muse cells have the pluripotency to differentiate into all germ layers as embryonic stem cells. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the efficacy of Muse cell transplantation for repairing osteochondral defects. Muse cells were isolated from human bone marrow MSCs. As osteochondral defects, the patellar grooves of immunodeficient rats were injured. Next, cells were injected into the mice so that the animals were divided into the following 3 groups: a control group to which PBS was injected; a non-Muse group to which 5×104 SSEA-3 negative non-Muse cells were injected; and a Muse group to which 5×104 SSEA-3 positive Muse cells were injected.

Abstract: An internal joint cavity expander includes femur-side magnets, tibia-side magnets, and magnetic shield-members. Each femur-side magnet has a plate curved into an arc and fixed to a femur. Each tibia-side magnet has length smaller than the femur-side magnet length and having a plate curved into arc concentric with the femur-side magnet arc. Each tibia-side magnet is fixed to a tibia. The pole on the convex surface of each femur-side magnet is same as the pole on the concave surface corresponding tibia-side magnet. The convex surface of each femur-side magnet faces the concave surface of corresponding tibia-side magnet. Each magnetic shield-member covers the surface of corresponding femur-side magnet and tibia-side magnet facing the skin throughout range in which the femur-side magnet moves relative to the tibia-side magnet. Each magnetic shield-member prevents magnetism of corresponding magnets and from leaking outside without hindering the femur-side magnet movement relative to the tibia-side magnet.

Abstract: An internal joint cavity expander includes femur-side magnets, tibia-side magnets, and magnetic shield-members. Each femur-side magnet has a plate curved into an arc and fixed to a femur. Each tibia-side magnet has length smaller than the femur-side magnet length and having a plate curved into arc concentric with the femur-side magnet arc. Each tibia-side magnet is fixed to a tibia. The pole on the convex surface of each femur-side magnet is same as the pole on the concave surface corresponding tibia-side magnet. The convex surface of each femur-side magnet faces the concave surface of corresponding tibia-side magnet. Each magnetic shield-member covers the surface of corresponding femur-side magnet and tibia-side magnet facing the skin throughout range in which the femur-side magnet moves relative to the tibia-side magnet. Each magnetic shield-member prevents magnetism of corresponding magnets and from leaking outside without hindering the femur-side magnet movement relative to the tibia-side magnet.

Abstract: A fixation device set S includes an external fixation device which is attached on one end-side of first and second pins; and a pin fixture which is attached on the other end-side. The external fixation device includes a first and a second permanent magnets disposed with their same poles opposed to each other; a first holding portion provided in the first permanent magnet; a second holding portion provided in the second permanent magnet; first limiter portions sandwiching the first and the second permanent magnets from a second direction; and second limiter portions connecting the first limiter portions to each other. The first pins are inserted through through-holes in the first holding portion, whereas the second holding portion is attached to the second pin via a ball joint.

Abstract: The invention provides a magnetic induction system and an operating method for it in which the magnetic force can be made to act deeply and widely in any desired direction. The magnetic induction system of the invention contains multiple magnetic field generation means formed of a superconductive bulk magnet, a drive means for arranging the magnetic field generation means at a desired site and angle, and a drive control means for driving the driving means and controlling the position and the angle of the multiple magnetic field generation means so that a magnetic complex can be inducted to the desired position in a body by the synthetic magnetic field formed by the multiple magnetic field generation means, whereby the magnetic complex is inducted to be concentrated in the cartilage defected part.

Abstract: A fixation device set S includes an external fixation device 10 which is attached on one end-side of first and second pins P1, P2; and a pin fixture 100 which is attached on the other end-side thereof. The external fixation device 10 includes a first and a second permanent magnets 32, 34 disposed with their same poles opposed to each other; a first holding portion 14 provided in the first permanent magnet 34; a second holding portion 36 provided in the second permanent magnet 34; first limiter portions 16a, 16b sandwiching the first and the second permanent magnets 32, 34 from a second direction; and second limiter portions 66 connecting the first limiter portions 16a, 16b to each other. The first pins P1 are inserted through through-holes 20 in the first holding portion 14, whereas the second holding portion 36 is attached to the second pin P2 via a ball joint 50.

Abstract: In the present invention, because no examples are known of binding of magnetic particle to mesenchymal cell or chondrocyte which might be used in regenerative medicine, whether or not a cell having the magnetic particle bound thereto is retained in local by external magnetism after administration and whether or not the cell can exhibit intrinsic activity is studied. According to the present invention, a magnetic cell comprising mesenchymal cell or cultured chondrocyte having magnetic particle bound to the surface thereof is provided, and when the cell is administered in vivo and an external magnetic field is applied, the cell can be retained for a long time at a disease site. Moreover, a drug delivery system can be constructed by causing the magnetic cells to contain a drug.

Abstract: The invention provides a magnetic induction system and an operating method for it in which the magnetic force can be made to act deeply and widely in any desired direction. The magnetic induction system of the invention contains multiple magnetic field generation means formed of a superconductive bulk magnet, a drive means for arranging the magnetic field generation means at a desired site and angle, and a drive control means for driving the driving means and controlling the position and the angle of the multiple magnetic field generation means so that a magnetic complex can be inducted to the desired position in a body by the synthetic magnetic field formed by the multiple magnetic field generation means, whereby the magnetic complex is inducted to be concentrated in the cartilage defected part.

Abstract: In the present invention, because no examples are known of binding of magnetic particle to mesenchymal cell or chondrocyte which might be used in regenerative medicine, whether or not a cell having the magnetic particle bound thereto is retained in local by external magnetism after administration and whether or not the cell can exhibit intrinsic activity is studied. According to the present invention, a magnetic cell comprising mesenchymal cell or cultured chondrocyte having magnetic particle bound to the surface thereof is provided, and when the cell is administered in vivo and an external magnetic field is applied, the cell can be retained for a long time at a disease site. Moreover, a drug delivery system can be constructed by causing the magnetic cells to contain a drug.

Abstract: In the present invention, because no examples are known of binding of magnetic particle to mesenchymal cell or chondrocyte which might be used in regenerative medicine, whether or not a cell having the magnetic particle bound thereto is retained in local by external magnetism after administration and whether or not the cell can exhibit intrinsic activity is studied. According to the present invention, a magnetic cell comprising mesenchymal cell or cultured chondrocyte having magnetic particle bound to the surface thereof is provided, and when the cell is administered in vivo and an external magnetic field is applied, the cell can be retained for a long time at a disease site. Moreover, a drug delivery system can be constructed by causing the magnetic cells to contain a drug.

Abstract: We focused attention on AC133 positive cells as a cell source. AC133 positive cells were transplanted to an injured sciatic nerve model and an injured spinal cord model and were found to have very intensive neural regeneration ability. Such AC133 positive cells are easily available from the peripheral blood with reduced burden on a donor. In addition, they are free from ethical questions and are found to be used as a very useful cell source in neural regenerative treatments with transplanted cells. According to this invention, there is provided a cell source for neural regenerative treatments with transplanted cells, which is more easily available and has a higher neural regeneration ability than equivalents.

Abstract: A tissue equivalent for transplantation having a three-dimensional structure which is cultured in vitro, contains cells to be transplanted and which can be transplanted into a living body after the culture, characterized by including a scaffold layer mainly culturing a scaffold constituting the three-dimensional structure and a cell layer which is localized at least in a part of the surface of the tissue equivalent for transplantation continuously with the scaffold layer and which contains the cells to be transplanted or extra cellular matrix in a larger amount than the scaffold layer. This tissue equivalent is appropriately employed as a tissue equivalent for transplantation in a relatively large size. This tissue equivalent enables realization of prompt fixation to the neighborhood of the transplanted tissue and prevention of falling off.

Abstract: To determine the transplant compatibility of an in vitro cultured tissue, a method measures the stiffness of the cultured tissue by using a stiffness measuring device, which stiffness measuring device includes a detecting unit and calculation means, the detecting unit includes a contact unit, a vibrator connected to the contact unit, and a vibration detecting unit for detecting the vibration of the vibrator, and the calculation means determines stiffness information by calculation based on the detected result from the vibration detecting element; and by bringing the contact unit into contact with the cultured tissue. With this method the transplant compatibility of the cultured tissue can be nondestructively and easily determined easily and the quality of the cultured tissue can be appropriately controlled.

Abstract: In the present invention, because no examples are known of binding of magnetic particle to mesenchymal cell or chondrocyte which might be used in regenerative medicine, whether or not a cell having the magnetic particle bound thereto is retained in local by external magnetism after administration and whether or not the cell can exhibit intrinsic activity is studied. According to the present invention, a magnetic cell comprising mesenchymal cell or cultured chondrocyte having magnetic particle bound to the surface thereof is provided, and when the cell is administered in vivo and an external magnetic field is applied, the cell can be retained for a long time at a disease site. Moreover, a drug delivery system can be constructed by causing the magnetic cells to contain a drug.

Abstract: To determine the transplant compatibility of an in vitro cultured tissue, a method measures the stiffness of the cultured tissue by using a stiffness measuring device, which stiffness measuring device includes a detecting unit and calculation means, the detecting unit includes a contact unit, a vibrator connected to the contact unit, and a vibration detecting unit for detecting the vibration of the vibrator, and the calculation means determines stiffness information by calculation based on the detected result from the vibration detecting element; and by bringing the contact unit into contact with the cultured tissue. With this method the transplant compatibility of the cultured tissue can be nondestructively and easily determined easily and the quality of the cultured tissue can be appropriately controlled.

Abstract: To determine the transplant compatibility of an in vitro cultured tissue, a method measures the stiffness of the cultured tissue by using a stiffness measuring device, which stiffness measuring device includes a detecting unit and calculation means, the detecting unit includes a contact unit, a vibrator connected to the contact unit, and a vibration detecting unit for detecting the vibration of the vibrator, and the calculation means determines stiffness information by calculation based on the detected result from the vibration detecting element; and by bringing the contact unit into contact with the cultured tissue. With this method the transplant compatibility of the cultured tissue can be nondestructively and easily determined easily and the quality of the cultured tissue can be appropriately controlled.

Abstract: A base material for tissue regeneration (10) includes a collagen sponge (11) formed in a three-dimensional shape and a mesh support member (12) that supports the collagen sponge (11) in an externally accessible state. In the structure of the base material for tissue regeneration (10), the mesh support member (12) is provided to surround the collagen sponge (11). Even when the collagen sponge (11) formed in the three-dimensional shape has a difficulty in keeping its shape, the mesh support (12) effectively functions to keep the three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A tissue equivalent for transplantation having a three-dimensional structure which is cultured in vitro, contains cells to be transplanted and which can be transplanted into a living body after the culture, characterized by including a scaffold layer mainly culturing a scaffold constituting the three-dimensional structure and a cell layer which is localized at least in a part of the surface of the tissue equivalent for transplantation continuously with the scaffold layer and which contains the cells to be transplanted or extra cellular matrix in a larger amount than the scaffold layer. This tissue equivalent is appropriately employed as a tissue equivalent for transplantation in a relatively large size. This tissue equivalent enables realization of prompt fixation to the neighborhood of the transplanted tissue and prevention of falling off.