STEM CELL CARRIER AND METHOD FOR BONE REGENERATION WITH 3D CUSTOMIZED CAD/CAM USING THE CARRIER

Abstract

A stem cell carrier includes a plurality of single units. The plurality of single units are formed three-dimensionally interconnected to each other to form a cubic structure. The plurality of single units are made of a porous material. Each single unit has three-dimensionally formed through holes crossing each other, and each through hole has 400 to 500 micrometers in diameter. The through holes of the plurality of single units are interconnected to each other to form a plurality of channels which are formed from one side of the cubic structure to the other side.

Claims

1: A stem cell carrier comprising a plurality of single units, the plurality of single units formed three-dimensionally interconnected to each other to form a cubic structure, the plurality of single units made of a porous material, wherein each single unit has three-dimensionally formed through holes crossing each other, each through hole having 400 to 500 micrometers in diameter, and the through holes of the plurality of single units are interconnected to each other to form a plurality of channels which are formed from one side of the cubic structure to the other side.

2: The stem cell carrier of claim 1, wherein the porous material is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyapatite (HA), -TCP (tricalcium phosphate), and mixtures thereof.

3: A method for bone regeneration with 3D customized computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), the method comprising: imaging a bone defect using CT and MRI; sending the image information of the bone defect to a CAD/CAM; forming a scaffold by shaping the stem cell carrier of claim 1 to have the bone defect; storing stem cells in the formed scaffold; and fixing the scaffold storing the stem cells with a fixing device comprised of a biocompatible material.

4: The stem cell carrier of claim 1, wherein each single unit has a first through hole, a second through hole, a third through hole which perpendicularly cross each other; and the plurality of channels comprise first channels formed of interconnected first through holes of the plurality of single units, second channels formed of interconnected second through holes of the plurality of single units, and third channels formed of interconnected third through holes of the plurality of single units.

5: The method of claim 3, wherein each single unit has a first through hole, a second through hole, a third through hole which perpendicularly cross each other; and the plurality of channels comprise first channels formed of interconnected first through holes of the plurality of single units, second channels formed of interconnected second through holes of the plurality of single units, and third channels formed of interconnected third through holes of the plurality of single units.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a stem cell carrier with a cubic structure;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1; and

[0023] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a single channel forming a part of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a stem cell carrier 10 has a cubic structure comprising a plurality of through holes 11 formed to penetrate through the cubic structure.

[0026] The stem cell carrier 10 is composed of a single body which may be divided by physical force into single units 20 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0027] The stem cell carrier 10 is composed of hydroxyapatite (HA), -TCP (tricalcium phosphate), or mixtures thereof, and these materials the main components that constitute bones and teeth of the body and have the advantages that they are more flexible than simple ceramic, have good biocompatibility, and do not cause deterioration and unnecessary biological reactions.

[0028] The roles of the stem cell carrier 10 are to activate cells in the body to secrete a new matrix, thus regenerating differentiated tissue. Stem cells supported on a scaffold that is non-toxic to the body and is completely biodegradable, and the hydroxyapatite (HA) and -TCP have sufficient effect as tissue engineering porous scaffolds.

[0029] A method for bone regeneration using the stem cell carrier 10 configured in the above-described manner will be described below.

[0030] First, a bone defect is imaged using CT and MRI, and the image information is sent to a CAD/CAM to form a scaffold using the stem cell carrier 10 prepared to coincide with the bone defect.

[0031] Stem cells are stored in the formed scaffold, and the scaffold is put on the bone defect and then fixed using a fixing means composed of a biocompatible material such as PLA.

[0032] As described above, according to the stem cell carrier of the present invention, the treatment of bone damage can reduce the risks of immune rejection and infection in patients and allows stem cells isolated from the body to be cultured and differentiated, thus maintaining homeostasis in the defect tissue.