Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the in vitro production of intervertebral disk cartilage cell transplants from affected intervertebral disk tissue from patients and to the use thereof as transplantation material for the treatment of affected intervertebral disks. The invention also relates to a three-dimensional, vital, and mechanically stable intervertebral disk cartilage tissue and to the use thereof as transplantation material for the treatment of affected intervertebral disks and in testing active substances. Furthermore, the invention is directed to the surgical technique for incorporating the transplants, to the intervertebral disk cell transplants and intervertebral disk cartilage tissues produced, and to therapeutic formulations, e.g. injection solutions, which include said tissue and said cell transplants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the in vitro production of intervertebral disk cartilage cell transplants from affected intervertebral disk tissue from patients and to the use thereof as transplantation material for the treatment of affected intervertebral disks. The invention also relates to a three-dimensional, vital, and mechanically stable intervertebral disk cartilage tissue and to the use thereof as transplantation material for the treatment of affected intervertebral disks and in testing active substances. Furthermore, the invention is directed to the surgical technique for incorporating the transplants, to the intervertebral disk cell transplants and intervertebral disk cartilage tissues produced, and to therapeutic formulations, e.g. injection solutions, which include said tissue and said cell transplants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a remarkably simple method for the in vitro production of three-dimensional, vital and mechanically stable cartilage or bone tissue and to the use thereof as a transplantation material for treating cartilage or bone defects and degenerative diseases such as rheumatism or arthrosis, and to the use thereof in testing active substances and physical factors. The invention is also directed to the cartilage or bone tissue and therapeutical formulations produced thereby, e.g. injection solutions comprising such tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the in vitro production of intervertebral disk cartilage cell transplants from affected intervertebral disk tissue from patients and to the use thereof as transplantation material for the treatment of affected intervertebral disks. The invention also relates to a three-dimensional, vital, and mechanically stable intervertebral disk cartilage tissue and to the use thereof as transplantation material for the treatment of affected intervertebral disks and in testing active substances. Furthermore, the invention is directed to the surgical technique for incorporating the transplants, to the intervertebral disk cell transplants and intervertebral disk cartilage tissues produced, and to therapeutic formulations, e.g. injection solutions, which include said tissue and said cell transplants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tissue replacement structure comprising (a) a preformed three-dimensional tissue which can be produced by obtaining cells from a human or animal organism and culturing them in a stationary fashion as a suspension culture in cell culture vessels with hydrophobic surface and tapering bottom until a cell aggregate is formed which has differentiated cells embedded therein and has an outer region wherein cells capable of proliferation and migration are present; (b) (i) an autologous cell suspension which can be produced from endogenous cells, with endogenous serum being added, with no addition of growth-promoting compounds, (ii) implants or support materials and/or (iii) growth factors; and/or (c) can be obtained by exposure of the tissue according to (a) to electromagnetic fields, mechanical stimulation and/or ultrasound.

Abstract: A method of screening potential therapeutic substances that may be useful in the treatment of osteoporosis is provided herein utilizing primary osteoblast precursor cell cultures to determine the mitogenic effect of the tested agents. This method comprises preparation of the primary cultures from osteoporotic patients for the expression of several intracellular proteins in early and late osteoblast differentiation phases, expression of other proteins involved in matrix synthesis, and quantitative analysis of the cellular proliferation rate. The expression of such intracellular proteins and cell proliferation in the cultures derived from osteoporotic patients are quantitatively compared to primary osteoblast cell cultures from non-osteoporotic patients that are standardized for the same approximate age and sex.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical set of instruments used to treat surfaces of cartilage, bone or body tissue, which set comprises a surgical instrument 1 and a guide device 2 to guide said instrument and/or a tissue applicator 3 for inserting tissue on a defect to be covered. In the meaning of the present invention, the surgical instrument, which can be moved in a circular, elliptical or another way with the aid of the guide device 2 according to the invention, is understood to be a shaver, a scalpel, a drill, a curette, a syringe, or a probe. Depending on the surgical problem, however, other instruments for cutting, milling, punching, sewing, or setting bores in cartilage, bone or body tissue, or injecting operating aids such as glues may also be moved in a specific surface profile using the guide device of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a remarkably simple method for the in vitro production of three-dimensional, vital and mechanically stable cartilage or bone tissue and to the use thereof as a transplantation material for treating cartilage or bone defects and degenerative diseases such as rheumatism or arthrosis, and to the use thereof in testing active substances and physical factors. The invention is also directed to the cartilage or bone tissue and therapeutical formulations produced thereby, e.g. injection solutions comprising such tissue.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for the securement and/or joining of tissues or tissue-similar materials on a support by laying a suture and by the use of a suturing material.

Abstract: A method of screening potential therapeutic substances that may be useful in the treatment of osteoporosis is provided herein utilizing primary osteoblast precursor cell cultures to determine the mitogenic effect of the tested agents. This method comprises preparation of the primary cultures from osteoporotic patients for the expression of several intracellular proteins in early and late osteoclast differentiation phases, expression of other proteins involved in matrix synthesis, and quantitative analysis of the cellular proliferation rate. The expression of such intracellular proteins and cell proliferation in the cultures derived from osteoporotic patients are quantitatively compared to primary osteoblast cell cultures from non-osteoporotic patients that are standardized for the same approximate age and sex.