Objective To repair the defects in articular cartilage with collagen complex gradient TCP in vivo andto study the regenerated cartilage histomorphologically. Methods The models of defects in articular cartilage were madeartificially in both condylus lateral is femoris of mature rabbits, male or female, with the weight of 2.0-2.5 kg. The right defects were implanted with the material of Col/TCP as the experimental group and the left defects were untreated as the control group. The rabbits were killed at 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after operation, respectively, with 6 ones at each time, and the macroscopic, histological, ultrastructural examinations and semi-quantity cartilage scoring employing Wakitanifa repaired cartilage value system were performed. Results Four weeks after operation, the defects in the experimental group were partly filled with hyal ine cartilage. Twelve weeks after operation, the defects in the experimental group were completely filled with mature hyal ine cartilage. Twenty-four weeks after operation, regenerated cartilage had no ataplasia. However, fibrous tissues were seen in the control group all the time. At 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 weeks ostoperatively, the Wakitanifa cartilage scores were 7.60 ± 0.98, 5.69 ± 0.58, 4.46 ± 0.85, 4.35 ± 0.12 and 4.41 ± 0.58, respectively, in the experimental group and 10.25 ± 1.05, 9.04 ± 0.96, 8.96 ± 0.88, 8.88 ± 0.68 and 8.66 ± 0.54, respectively, in the control group. At 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 weeks postoperatively, the collagen II contents were 0.28% ± 0.01%, 0.59% ± 0.03%, 0.68% ± 0.02%, 0.89% ± 0.02% and 0.90% ± 0.01%, respectively, in the experimental group, while 0.08% ± 0.02%, 0.09% ± 0.04%, 0.11% ± 0.03%, 0.25% ± 0.03% and 0.29% ± 0.01%, respectively, in the control group. Differences between the control group and the experimental group were significant (P lt; 0.05). By then, typical chondrocyte was observed by transmission electron microscope in the experimental group and much fiber with less fibrocyte was observed in the control group. Conclusion Three-dimensional scaffold collagen complex gradient TCP may induce cartilage regeneration to repair the defects of articular cartilage in vivo.
Objective To introduce the recent advances of the application of computer technology in tissue engineering. Methods The recent original articlesrelated to computer technology, medical image technology, computer-aided design, the advanced manufacture technology were summarized and systematically analyzed.Results Computer-aided tissue engineering is a new fieldon tissue engineering. It is the future direction of tissue engineering study. This article reviews recent development of medical CT/MRI scanning, three-dimensional reconstruction, anatomical modeling, computeraided design, computer-aided manufacturing, rapid prototyping， RP manufacturing of tissue engineering scaffolds and computeraided implantation.Conclusion Computer-aided tissue engineering can be used in scaffolds design and fabrication, computer-aided artificial tissue implantation. It is a new field on tissue engineering.
Objective To investigate the value of computer-aided design (CAD) in defining the resection boundary, reconstructing the pelvis and hip in patients with pelvis tumors. Methods Between November 2006 and April 2009, 5 cases of pelvis tumors were treated surgically using CAD technology. There were 3 males and 2 females with an average age of 36.4 years (range, 24-62 years). The cause was osteosarcoma, giant cell tumor of bone, and angiosarcoma in 1 case, respectively,and chondrosarcoma in 2 cases. According to the Enneking system for staging benign and mal ignant musculoskeletal tumors, regions I, I + II, III, IV, and I + IV is in 1 case, respectively. According to the principle of reverse engineering, 5 patients with pelvis tumors were checked with lamellar CT/MRI scanning, whose two-dimensional data were obtained in disease area. The three-dimensional reconstruction of pelvic anatomical model, precise resection boundary of tumor, individual surgical template, individual prosthesis, and surgical simulation were precisely made by computer with CAD software. Based on the proposal of CAD, the bone tumor was resected accurately, and allograft il ium with internal fixation instrument or allogeneic il ium with personal ized prosthetic replacement were used to reconstruct the bone defect after tumor was resected. Results The operation was successfully performed in 5 cases. The average operation time was 7.9 hours, and the average blood loss was 3 125 mL. Hemorrhage and cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 1 case, respectively, and were cured after debridement. Five patients were followed up from 24 to 50 months (mean, 34.5 months). All patients began non-weight bearing walk with double crutches at 4-6 weeks after operation, and began walk at 3-6 months after operation. Local recurrence developed in 2 patients at 18 months after operation, and resection and radiotherapy were performed. According to International Society of Limb Salvage criteria for curative effectiveness of bone tumor l imb salvage, the results were excellent in 2 and good in 3. Conclusion The individual surgical template, individual prosthesis, and surgical simulation by CAD ensure the precision and rel iabil ity of pelvis tumors resection. The CAD technology promotes pelvis tumor resection and the reconstruction of pelvis to individual treatment stage, and good curative effectiveness can be obtained.