An anatomically-shaped, human bone graft may be cultivated ex vivo using a bioreactor capable of perfusing large complex porous scaffolds. Scaffolds derived from image-based modeling of a target are seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells and cultivated. A bioreactor configured to house complex three-dimensional scaffold geometries provides controlled flow for perfusion of the cells. Dense uniform cellular growth can be attained throughout the entire scaffold as a result of the medium perfusion. In an embodiment, the bioreactor has a mold into which perfusion medium is pumped under pressure and multiple ports through which the medium exits the mold.

A device, for example a medical implant, and a method of making the same, the device having a metal or metal alloy substrate, for example cobalt chrome, and a diffusion hardened metallic surface, for example a plasma carburized surface, contacting a non-diffusion hardened surface or a diffusion hardened surface having a diffusion hardening species different from that of the opposing surface.

In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to TMJ implantation materials and implants (e.g., temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc), methods of making TMJ implantation materials and implants, methods of forming a TMJ implantation material or an implant, and the like.

The application is directed to devices and methods where one or more magnetic or magnetizable implants provides therapeutic benefits to a patient. The implant may be useful for expanding the range of motion of joints or dynamically providing different responses to changing conditions in the body where the implant is placed. An electromagnet is placed on or in a bone on one side of a joint, and another electromagnet or magnetically active material is placed on or in a bone on the opposing side of the joint. The electromagnet may be continuously energized to relieve pressure in the joint space, or may be energized in response to forces applied to the joint.

The present disclosure provides intramedullary mandibular implants for the temporomandibular joint. The mandibular implants include a stem portion, a collar portion and a head portion. The stem, collar and head portions may be integral. The stem portion may define an inferior end and the head portion may define a superior end of the implants. The head portion may be arcuate in the sagittal plane to provide an articulating surface with a fossa or a fossa component. The collar portion may be intermediate of the head and stem portions and form a channel between an interior surface of the collar portion and an exterior surface of the stem portion. In use, the stem portion may be implanted within a condyle of a mandible such that an end portion of the condyle is situated within the channel of the implant and the head portion articulates with the fossa or fossa component.

Method for the production of a temporomandibular joint endoprosthesis, skull prosthesis or body part prosthesis, in which, as first step, an image of the prosthesis to be produced is created, subsequently by a computerized machining process, a size-adapted prosthetic blank is made from a ceramic blank, using said image and in a downstream thermal treatment the prosthetic blank is transformed into the intended temporomandibular joint endoprosthesis, skull prosthesis or body part prosthesis and temporomandibular joint endoprosthesis.

The present disclosure pertains to ionic polymer compositions, including semi- and fully interpenetrating polymer networks, methods of making such ionic polymer compositions, articles made from such ionic polymer compositions, and methods of making such articles and packaging for such articles.

Prosthesis (1) for the mandibular side of a temporomandibular joint, comprising a head part (2) to replace the condylar head, in particular at the anatomic location, and an attachment plate, wherein the attachment plate is saddle-shaped having a lateral portion (3) and a medial portion (4) that have been formed and are intended for abutting both sides of the ascending branch of the mandible, straight below the arcuate notch in the upper end of the ascending branch of the mandible.

The invention relates to biodegradable, biocompatible materials to promote regeneration of articular surfaces in the temporomandibular joint and, more particularly, to biomaterials and methods for facilitating fibrochondrocyte and chondrocyte growth in in-vitro and in-vivo environments. The materials include magnesium in solid form and polymer. The materials are effective to grow and regenerate fibrochondrocyte and chondrocyte cells, and restore bone cells.

Methods and compositions for the biological repair of cartilage using a hybrid construct combining both an inert structure and living core are described. The inert structure is intended to act not only as a delivery system to feed and grow a living core component, but also as an inducer of cell differentiation. The inert structure comprises concentric internal and external and inflatable/expandable balloon-like bio-polymers. The living core comprises the cell-matrix construct comprised of HDFs, for example, seeded in a scaffold. The method comprises surgically removing a damaged cartilage from a patient and inserting the hybrid construct into the cavity generated after the foregoing surgical intervention. The balloons of the inert structure are successively inflated within the target area, such as a joint, for example. Also disclosed herein are methods for growing and differentiating human fibroblasts into chondrocyte-like cells via mechanical strain.