Reinforced matrices

Abstract

A reinforced matrix membrane containing one or more scaffold-forming proteins suitable for cell growth and for use in chondrocyte cell transplantation, and method of making same. The scaffold is incubated with the collagen matrix in solutions, colloidal dispersions, or suspensions of stabilizing proteins. The reinforced matrix may be used in tissue engineering, cartilage transplantation, bone and cartilage grafting, healing, joint repair and the prevention of arthritic pathologies.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method for making a collagen-based reinforced matrix comprising 
 incubating collagen with a scaffold-forming protein to form a mixture;    lyophilizing the mixture to form a fleece-like material; and    pressing the fleece-like material into sheets to form the matrix.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the collagen is Type II collagen.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the collagen is Type I/III collagen.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the scaffold-forming protein is hydrophobic non-glycosylated protein.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the scaffold-forming protein is elastin.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the scaffold-forming protein comprises elastin fibers.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the scaffold forming protein is elastin-like peptide.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the scaffold forming protein is soluble elastin.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  with pH limit/temperature/time limitations.  
     
     
         10 . A collagen-based reinforced membrane comprising a collagen matrix and a scaffold-forming protein.  
     
     
         11 . The membrane of  claim 10  wherein the collagen is Type II collagen  
     
     
         12 . The membrane of  claim 10  wherein the collagen is Type I/III collagen.  
     
     
         13 . The membrane of  claim 10  wherein the collagen is non-cross-linked.  
     
     
         14 . The membrane of  claim 10  wherein the collagen is cross-linked.  
     
     
         15 . The membrane of  claim 10  wherein the collagen is natural collagen.  
     
     
         16 . The membrane of  claim 10  wherein the scaffold-forming protein is hydrophobic non-glycosylated protein.  
     
     
         17 . The membrane of  claim 16  wherein the scaffold-forming protein comprises elastin.  
     
     
         18 . The membrane of  claim 10  wherein the scaffold-forming protein comprises elastic fibers.  
     
     
         19 . The membrane of  claim 10  wherein the scaffold forming protein is elastin-like peptide.  
     
     
         20 . The membrane of  claim 10  wherein the scaffold forming protein is soluble elastin.  
     
     
         21 . A composition suitable for use as an implantation article or for arthroscopic surgery comprised of chondrocytes and a collagen-based membrane comprising a collagen matrix and a scaffold-forming protein.