Cosmetic repair using cartilage producing cells and medical implants coated therewith

Abstract

A method of cosmetically repairing a skin contour irregularity in a subject is provided. The method is effected by introducing cartilage producing cells into the skin contour irregularity thereby effecting cosmetic repair thereof. A medical implant coated with cartilage producing cells is further disclosed.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . A medical implant implantable in a subject comprising non-biological implant material coated with cartilage producing cells, said cartilage producing cells being for reducing a physiological response to the implant in the subject.  
     
     
         10 . The medical implant of  claim 9 , wherein said cartilage producing cells are selected from the group consisting of chondrocytes and chondrocyte progenitor cells.  
     
     
         11 . The medical implant of  claim 9 , wherein said cartilage producing cells are syngeneic with respect to the subject.  
     
     
         12 . The medical implant of  claim 9 , wherein said physiological response is selected from the group consisting of an immune response, an inflammatory response, encapsulation, ossification, calcification and infection.  
     
     
         13 . The medical implant of  claim 9 , further comprising an intermediate layer being for increasing adherence of said cartilage producing cells to said non-biological material.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said intermediate layer includes at least one item selected from the group consisting of fibronectin and silicone.