Title: Emerging technological trajectories of tissue engineering and the critical directions in cartilage regenerative medicine

Authors: Mario Coccia

Addresses: CNR – National Research Council of Italy, Collegio Carlo Alberto – Via Real Collegio, n. 30 – 10024 Moncalieri (Torino), Italy; Munk School of Global Affairs, The Munk Centre for International Studies at Trinity College, University of Toronto, 1 Devonshire Place, Toronto, Canada; Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology, United Nations University, Keizer Karelplein 19 6211 TC, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Abstract: The study here analyses the publications and patents to detect the main technological trajectories of tissue engineering and in particular to focus on the evolutionary patterns of cartilage tissue engineering. Results tend to show that tissue engineering has an unparalleled scientific growth mainly in the technological trajectories of cartilage, bone and vascular tissue engineering. In addition, the paper also shows that the patterns of cartilage tissue engineering are based on scientific and technological breakthroughs in autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACT) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are spurring path-breaking treatments in cartilage regenerative medicine. Tissue and bio-regenerative engineering are generating a revolution in clinical practice owing to benefits in terms of effective treatments that improve the quality of life of patients.

Keywords: technological trajectory; radical innovation; tissue engineering; regenerative medicine; cartilage repair; cartilage defects; autologous chondrocyte implantation; ACT; mesenchymal stem cells; MSCs; chondrogenic cells; healthcare technology; cartilage regeneration; bioregenerative engineering; bioengineering.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2014.064247

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2014 Vol.14 No.3, pp.194 - 208

Accepted: 08 Sep 2013
Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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