Scaffold and method for implanting cells

Abstract

A method of creating a synthetic bone implant configured for implantation into a patient is provided. The method includes constructing a synthetic three dimensional composite support structure integrally formed as one piece, the synthetic three dimensional composite support structure including a nonbiodegradable material and having a porous construction with a plurality of passages, wherein the support structure is constructed to have a configuration corresponding to at least one of a bone and a portion of a bone to be replaced in the patient. The method also includes providing the synthetic three dimensional composite support structure to enable placement of the synthetic three dimensional composite support structure in the patient, wherein an outer surface of the support structure is configured to be pressed adjacent the bone, wherein the synthetic three dimensional composite support structure is configured to be positioned in the body to promote growth of tissue in the body of the patient into at least a portion of the synthetic three dimensional composite support structure by having at least a portion of the porous construct adjacent the bone enabling biologic structures to grow into the plurality of passages in the porous construction to securely connect the support structure in place in the body of the patient.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A cell harvesting system comprising:
 a robotic mechanism configured to harvest viable cells from a patient.   
     
     
         24 . The cell harvesting system of claim  1 , wherein the viable cells are at least one of stem cells, embryonic cells, fetal cells, stromal cells, mesenchymal cells, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, myoblasts, reticular cells, smooth muscle cells, chondrocytes, chondroblasts, retinal cells, endothelial cells, endocardial cells, myocardial cells, pericardial cells, liver cells, pancreas cells, renal cells, neural cells, and progenitor cells. 
     
     
         25 . The cell harvesting system of claim  22 , further comprising a surface configured to receive the viable cells harvested by the robotic mechanism. 
     
     
         26 . The cell harvesting system of  claim 25 , wherein the surface has a therapeutic agent thereon. 
     
     
         27 . The cell harvesting system of  claim 25  wherein the surface has a growth factor thereon. 
     
     
         28 . The cell harvesting system of  claim 25 , wherein the surface has a sterile biofilm coating thereon configured to adhere the harvested cells to the surface. 
     
     
         29 . The cell harvesting system of  claim 25 , wherein the surface comprises a support structure having a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         30 . The cell harvesting system of  claim 29 , wherein the robotic mechanism is further configured to position the support structure and the harvested cells in the patient. 
     
     
         31 . The cell harvesting system of  claim 30 , wherein the robotic mechanism comprises first and second robotic mechanisms, the first robotic mechanism configured to harvest viable cells from a patient, the second robotic mechanism configured to position the support structure and the harvested cells in the patient. 
     
     
         32 . A method of harvesting cells comprising:
 harvesting viable cells from a patient using a robotic mechanism.   
     
     
         33 . The method of harvesting cells of  claim 32 , further comprising depositing the harvested viable cells on a surface. 
     
     
         34 . The method of harvesting cells of  claim 33 , wherein said depositing the harvested viable cells on a surface comprises layering the harvested viable cells on the surface. 
     
     
         35 . The method of harvesting cells of  claim 33 , further comprising culturing the harvested viable cells, growing the harvested viable cells, and exposing the harvested viable cells to at least one environmental condition. 
     
     
         36 . The method of harvesting cells of  claim 35 , wherein the at least one environmental condition is at least one of static mechanical forces, dynamic mechanical forces, chemical stimuli, and electromagnetic stimuli. 
     
     
         37 . The method of harvesting cells of  claim 35 , further comprising adding at least one of growth factors and therapeutic agents to the harvested cells. 
     
     
         38 . The method of harvesting cells of  claim 33 , wherein the surface has a sterile biofilm coating thereon configured to adhere the harvested cells to the surface. 
     
     
         39 . The method of harvesting cells of  claim 33 , wherein the surface is comprises a support structure having a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         40 . The method of harvesting cells of  claim 33 , further comprising positioning the support structure and the deposited cells in the patient. 
     
     
         41 . The method of harvesting cells of  claim 33 , wherein the viable cells are at least one of stem cells, embryonic cells, fetal cells, stromal cells, mesenchymal cells, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, myoblasts, reticular cells, smooth muscle cells, chondrocytes, chondroblasts, retinal cells, endothelial cells, endocardial cells, myocardial cells, pericardial cells, liver cells, pancreas cells, renal cells, neural cells, and progenitor cells. 
     
     
         42 . The method of harvesting cells of  claim 32 , wherein the viable cells are at least one of stem cells, embryonic cells, fetal cells, stromal cells, mesenchymal cells, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, myoblasts, reticular cells, smooth muscle cells, chondrocytes, chondroblasts, retinal cells, endothelial cells, endocardial cells, myocardial cells, pericardial cells, liver cells, pancreas cells, renal cells, neural cells, and progenitor cells.