Abstract: Scaffolds for tissue engineering prepared from biocompatible, biodegradable polymer-based, lighter than or light as water microcarriers and designed for cell culturing in vitro in a rotating bioreactor are provided. Methods for preparation and use of these scaffolds as tissue engineering devices are also provided.

Abstract: A method of determining the voltage and current output required for the application of specific and selective electric and electromagnetic signals to diseased articular cartilage in the treatment of osteoarthritis, cartilage defects due to trauma or sports injury, or used as an adjunct with other therapies (cell transplantation, tissue-engineered scaffolds, growth factors, etc.) for treating cartilage defects in the human knee joint and a device for delivering such signals to a patient's knee. An analytical model of the human knee is developed whereby the total tissue volume in the human knee may be determined for comparison to the total tissue volume of the diseased tissue in the animal model using electric field and current density histograms.

Abstract: A technique and device for preventing and/or treating osteoporosis, hip and spine fractures, and/or spine fusions by incorporating at least one conductive coil (110) into a garment (90) adapted to be worn adjacent to the patient's skin over a treatment area and applying an electrical signal to the coil effective to produce a magnetic flux the penetrates the treatment area so as to produce an electric field in the bones and the treatment area.

Abstract: A method of determining the voltage and current required for the application of specific and selective electric and electromagnetic signals to diseased articular cartilage in the treatment of osteoarthritis, cartilage defects due to trauma or sports injury, or used as an adjunct with other therapies (cell transplantation, tissue-engineered scaffold, growth factors, etc.) for treating cartilage defects in the human hip joint and a device for delivering such signals to a patient's hip. Anatomic, analytical, and planar circuit models are developed to determining the impedances, conductivities, and current flows in the human hip joint and its surrounding soft tissues and skin that are required to produce a 20 mV/cm electric field in the synovium and articular cartilage of the human hip. The voltage of the signal applied to the surface electrodes or to a coil(s) or solenoid is varied based on the size of the hip joint; larger hip joints require larger voltages to generate the effective electric field.

Abstract: A technique and associated device for stimulating multiple electrodes with multiple electrical signals in multiple regions of the spine without injury to the patient. The electrodes are applied to respective sides of the patient's spine, and a first electrical signal is applied to any electrodes in a treatment area of the lumbar region of the patient's spine, a second electrical signal is applied to any electrodes in a treatment area of the thoracic region of the patient's spine, and a third electrical signal is applied to any electrodes in a treatment area of the cervical region of the patient's spine to induce osteogenesis in at least one of the respective treated area's of the patient's spine. The first, second, and third electrical signals respectively generate different electrode currents in the respective treated areas and are ideally selected to create current densities that are approximately equal in respective treatment areas.