Patent ID: 6471958
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: A61L,C12N

Abstract:
A method of making a tissue equivalent which comprises the steps of combining an aqueous suspension of initial mesenchymal cells in a substantially serum-free nutrient medium at a temperature below about ambient temperature with a solution of collagenous material to produce a gelable admixture;solidifying the admixture by gelation to a translucent collagenous matrix; thereafter combining said translucent collagenous matrix with an aqueous suspension of other mesenchymal cells; and incubating the resulting combination for a time period sufficient for said other mesenchymal cells to attach to said collagenous matrix, wherein the cell density of the tissue equivalent is in the range of about 1.0Ã—105 cells/ml and the collagen concentration of the tissue equivalent is in the range of about 3 to about 5 mg/ml.