1. A method for designing a tissue scaffold for generating tissue in a patient, the method comprising:
creating a first set of databases representing a plurality of porous microstructure designs for the scaffold in image based format;
creating a second database representing scaffold exterior geometry desired to replace the native tissue in the patient in image based format;
creating a third database representing scaffold external fixation structure; and
merging the first set of databases representing the desired microstructure designs with the second database and the third database into an image-based design of the scaffold.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
converting the image-based design to a fabrication geometry.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the scaffold external fixation structure is designed to comprise at least one projection extending away from the scaffold.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein:
the projection is a peg or a spike or a plate.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the scaffold is designed for intervertebral disc repair, or articulating joint repair, or total joint replacement.
6. A method for designing an intervertebral disc scaffold, the method comprising:
creating a first set of databases representing a plurality of porous microstructure designs for the scaffold in image based format;
creating a second database representing scaffold exterior geometry desired to replace the native disc in the patient in image based format; and
merging the first set of databases representing the desired microstructure designs with the second database into an image-based design of the scaffold.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
converting the image-based design to a fabrication geometry.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein:
the image-based design of the scaffold includes an outer annulus having a first designed porous microstructure, and
the image-based design of the scaffold includes a central region having a second designed microstructure.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein:
at least one of the microstructure designs is a wavy fiber design.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein:
the image-based design of the scaffold is designed to include spherical or elliptical pores.
11. A method for designing an osteochondral scaffold for replacing native tissue in a patient, the method comprising:
creating a first set of databases representing a plurality of porous microstructure designs for the scaffold in image based format;
creating a second database representing scaffold exterior geometry desired to replace the native tissue in the patient in image based format; and
merging the first set of databases representing the desired microstructure designs with the second database into an image-based design of the scaffold,
wherein the image-based design includes a bone region designed to have a first physical or biochemical property and a cartilage region designed to have a second physical or biochemical property.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein:
the first physical or biochemical property is a mechanical property, and
the second physical or biochemical property is a mechanical property.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein:
the first physical or biochemical property is a mass transport property, and
the second physical or biochemical property is a mass transport property.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein:
the first physical or biochemical property is a biochemical property, and
the second physical or biochemical property is a biochemical property.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein:
the first physical or biochemical property is achieved by coating at least a portion of the bone region with an osteoconductive mineral comprising a calcium compound.
16. A method for designing a joint replacement for a patient, the method comprising:
creating a first set of databases representing a plurality of porous microstructure designs for the joint replacement in image based format;
creating a second database representing joint replacement exterior geometry in image based format; and
merging the first set of databases representing the desired microstructure designs with the second database into an image-based design of the joint replacement,
wherein the image-based design includes a bone region designed to have a first physical or biochemical property and a surface region designed to have a second physical or biochemical property.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein:
the first physical or biochemical property is a mechanical property, and
the second physical or biochemical property is a mechanical property.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein:
the first physical or biochemical property is a mass transport property, and
the second physical or biochemical property is a mass transport property.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein:
the first physical or biochemical property is a biochemical property, and
the second physical or biochemical property is a biochemical property.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein:
the first physical or biochemical property is achieved by coating at least a portion of the bone region with an osteoconductive mineral comprising a calcium compound.
21. An intervertebral disc repair andor regeneration scaffold comprising:
a central core shaped to approximate the nucleus pulposus of a natural intervertebral disc, the central core having a first porous microstructure; and
an outer annulus shaped to approximate the annulus fibrosus of a natural intervertebral disc, the outer annulus connected to and surrounding the central core, the outer annulus having a second porous microstructure,
wherein the central core and the outer annulus have different permeability.
22. The scaffold of claim 21 wherein:
the central core and the outer annulus have different elasticity.
23. The scaffold of claim 21 wherein:
the central core includes a bioactive agent.
24. The scaffold of claim 23 wherein:
the bioactive agent is selected from undifferentiated chondrocyte precursor cells from periosteum, mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, chondrocytes, sclerosing agents, angiogenesis activators, angiogenesis inhibitors, and mixtures thereof.
25. The scaffold of claim 21 wherein:
the scaffold is formed from a biodegradable polymer.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method for cutting an elliptical arch from a panel, comprising the steps of: activating a first clamp to secure hold on said panel at a first anchor position; using a cutting means to produce a first cut of a first radius; activating said first clamp to release hold on said panel; activating a second clamp to secure hold on said panel at a second anchor position; using said cutting means to produce a second cut of a second radius; activating said second clamp to release hold on said panel; activating said first clamp to secure hold on said panel at a third anchor position; and using said cutting means to produce a third cut of a third radius.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said third radius is equal to said first radius.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said first cut begins at a first location of said panel and ends at a second location of said panel, said second cut begins at said second location of said panel and ends at a third location of said panel, and said third cut begins at said third location of said panel and ends at a fourth location of said panel.