Design Issues in Tissue Engineered Cartilage Replacement

Tissue engineered replacement cartilage for the treatment of an arthritic joint must sustain the mechanical demands of normal function. Historically total joint replacement has been the primary method for the treatment of severely degenerated joints. The design of a tissue engineered cartilage replacement has a number of parallels with the design of a total joint replacement. Therefore, it is useful to examine the design process of a total joint replacement in the context of designing a tissue engineered cartilage replacement. This presentation will examine the design requirements for the replacement of articular cartilage at the knee.