3 State-of-the-Art Technologies for Cartilage Repair

1. 3D Bioprinting - This is a relatively new and rapidly evolving technology that has become increasingly popular in the field of cartilage regeneration. Among many technologies, 3D bioprinting perhaps is the most revolutionary one. It allows for highly precise placement of cells and biomaterials, which is a significant advantage over many traditional tissue engineering techniques. A notable progress from 2018-2020 in this domain is “printing" living cells within a printable gel material to create a cartilage-like structure. 2. Injectable Hydrogels - These biodegradable materials are applied as injectable carriers for cell delivery, as they can mimic the natural extracellular matrix of cartilage. Their tunability and flexibility for incorporating bioactive molecules and cells make them attractive candidates for cartilage tissue engineering. Developments from 2018 to 2020 have seen improvements in biocompatibility and mechanical strength of these hydrogels. 3. Nanofibers and Electrospinning - This technology provides a way to construct fibrous scaffolds that can mimic the native extracellular matrix of cartilage and guide cell behavior. By using electrospinning, researchers are able to produce nanofibers of polymers and incorporate various forms of cell signaling molecules, pushing the field forward in recent years significantly. Over the period of 2018-2020, advanced electrospinning techniques have been used to create layered scaffolds for cartilage repair which replicate the different layers of natural articular cartilage.

1. Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI): ACI is a state-of-the-art technology developed by the regenerative medicine that uses a patient’s own cells to repair cartilage defects. The procedure involves harvesting healthy chondrocytes from a non-weight bearing area of the joint and expanding them in a laboratory before re-implanting them into the defect site. ACI has been used to treat full-thickness cartilage defects with high success rates. 2. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a type of stem cell that can be used to repair damaged cartilage tissue. MSCs are harvested from the patient’s own body and then injected into the defect to stimulate the growth of new, healthy cartilage. MSC therapy has been shown to be an effective and safe treatment for cartilage defects. 3. Biomaterial Scaffolds: Biomaterial scaffolds are artificial materials made of biocompatible materials like polymers or collagen that can be used to stimulate tissue growth and regeneration. These scaffolds can be used to create 3D structures which act as templates for cell growth and can be used to repair cartilage defects.