Device for the regeneration of tissue, specifically bone regeneration by means of callus distraction

Abstract

The device incorporates a structurally stable membrane ( 4, 4′, 34, 35 ) that incorporates a surface ( 15 ) to be bonded to a tissue to be regenerated, specifically a vital bone ( 2, 22, 38, 39 ). Means ( 9, 5, 6, 25, 36 ) are additionally provided whereby the membrane ( 4, 4′, 24, 35 ) is movable for the regeneration with a certain pulling force and speed. According to the invention the membrane ( 4, 4′, 24, 35 ) has, on its surface facing the tissue or bone, means ( 16 ) for the biological anchoring and adhesion for tissue or bone cells. These means ( 16 ) for the biological anchoring of tissue cells are specifically bone cells, protein molecules and/or osteoblasts ( 17 ), as well as indentations ( 45, 46, 48 ) and surface peaks ( 50 ) of the membrane.

1 . A device for the regeneration of tissue, specifically bone regeneration by means of callus distraction, having a membrane ( 4 ,  4 ′,  24 ,  35 ) that is permeable for the exchange of nutrients at least for serum and structurally stable, incorporating a surface ( 15 ) that is to be bonded to a tissue to be regenerated, specifically a vital bone ( 2 ,  22 ,  38 ,  39 ), and having means ( 9 ,  5 ,  6 ,  25 ,  36 ) whereby the membrane ( 4 ,  4 ′,  24 ,  35 ) is movable for the regeneration with a certain pulling force and speed, characterized in that said membrane ( 4 ,  4 ′,  24 ,  35 ) on its side facing the tissue or bone incorporates means for the biological anchoring and adhesion for tissue or bone cells.  
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the means ( 16 ) for the biological anchoring of tissue cells and specifically bone cells incorporates protein molecules and/or osteoblasts ( 17 ) and/or interconnecting pores.  
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the protein molecules are short-chain molecules.  
     
     
         4 . A device according to any of claims  1  through  3 , characterized in that the means for the biological anchoring of tissue cells and specifically bone cells substantially extend over the total surface ( 15 ) to be anchored of the membrane ( 4 ,  4 ′,  24 ,  35 ).  
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that osteoblasts ( 18 ), which are anchored to said means ( 16 ) for biological adhesion, are colonized on said surface ( 15 ) of the membrane ( 4 ,  4 ′,  24 ,  35 ).  
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the osteoblasts ( 18 ) are anchored to short-chain protein molecules by means of adhesion.  
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the means ( 9 ,  5 ,  6 ,  25 ,  36 ) for moving the membrane ( 4 ,  4 ′,  24 ,  35 ) are mechanical pulling or pushing means.  
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the means ( 9 ) for moving the membrane ( 4 ,  4 ′,  24 ,  35 ) incorporate at least one magnet ( 9 ) whereby a force is exerted upon the membrane ( 4 ,  4 ′).  
     
     
         9 . A membrane for the regeneration of tissue, specifically callus distraction, wherein said membrane is permeable for the exchange of nutrients and incorporates a surface ( 15 ) to be placed onto a bone ( 2 ,  22 ,  38 ,  39 ) being regenerated and moved for the callus distraction, characterized in such a way that said surface ( 15 ) incorporates means ( 16 ) for the biological adhesion of osteoblasts ( 18 ) and/or growing-in of vessels.  
     
     
         10 . A membrane according to  claim 9 , characterized in that it is structurally stable so that it is movable substantially without deformation for stretching of a callus (K).  
     
     
         11 . A membrane according to  claim 9  or  10 , characterized in that it incorporates a carrier ( 13 ) that is provided with a plurality of passages ( 14 ).  
     
     
         12 . A membrane according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the carrier ( 13 ) is made of metal, preferably titanium.  
     
     
         13 . A membrane according to any of claims  9  through  11 , characterized in that the carrier ( 13 ) is an open-pore metal plate, or a grid or net and that on the carrier ( 13 ) a [ . . . ]is permeable for nutrients.  
     
     
         14 . A membrane according to  claim 13 , characterized in that said means ( 16 ) for the biological adhesion of osteoblasts ( 17 ,  18 ) are disposed on the carrier ( 13 ), as well as on said layer ( 10 ).  
     
     
         15 . A membrane according to any of claims  9  through  14 , characterized in that said means ( 16 ) for the biological adhesion of osteoblasts ( 17 ,  18 ) are organic molecules.  
     
     
         16 . A membrane according to  claim 15 , characterized in that the organic molecules are protein molecules.  
     
     
         17 . A membrane according to  claim 16 , characterized in that the protein molecules are short-chain.  
     
     
         18 . A membrane according to any of claims  9  through  17 , characterized in that the surface to be bonded is provided for the biological bonding of the bone tissue with hydroxyl groups and/or amine groups.  
     
     
         19 . A membrane according to any of claims  9  through  18 , characterized in that the surface to be bonded incorporates micro-structural, meso-structural and macro-structural indentations with the following dimension ranges: 
 micro-structural<5 μm    meso-structural 5-25 μm    macro-structural 10-1,000 μm    
     
     
         20 . A membrane according to any of claims  9  through  19 , characterized in that the surface to be bonded is structured by sand blasting.  
     
     
         21 . A process for tissue regeneration and specifically bone regeneration through callus distraction, wherein a membrane ( 4 ,  4 ′) that is permeable for the exchange of nutrients is bonded to a tissue or vital bone ( 2 ) being regenerated and moved for the distraction, characterized in that a surface ( 15 ) of the membrane ( 4 ,  4 ′) facing the tissue or bone ( 2 ) incorporates means ( 16 ) for the biological adhesion of osteoblasts ( 17 ,  18 ), that the membrane  4 ,  4 ′) is placed onto the tissue or vital bone ( 2 ) location being regenerated, and that the membrane ( 4 ,  4 ′) is moved away from the tissue or vital bone ( 2 ) for the distraction at a certain speed.  
     
     
         22 . A process according to  claim 18 , characterized in that the membrane ( 4 ,  4 ′), prior to placing it on the tissue or vital bone ( 2 ), is provided with osteoblasts ( 18 ) on the surface ( 15 ) to be placed against the vital bone ( 2 ).  
     
     
         23 . A process according to  claim 18  or  19 , characterized in that the membrane ( 4 ,  4 ′) is moved away from the tissue or vital bone ( 2 ) by means of at least one magnet ( 9 ) or mechanical pulling means ( 5 ,  6 ), at a speed of 0.5 to 22 mm per day.  
     
     
         24 . A process according to any of claims  21  through  23 , characterized in that the tissue is one of a type wherein cell proliferation and differentiation is initiated through bio-mechanical transmission of stimuli onto the cytoscleleton and growth or regeneration of tissue can be attained.