TECHNOZONE April 2005 "Understanding the laws of life and exploring the potential of tissue engineering"

OLYMPUS TECHNOZONE Vol.64 2005-04

INDEX | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

Understanding the laws of life and exploring the potential of tissue engineering

There is growing interest in tissue engineering, the aim of which is to regenerate lost tissue using the powers of the body itself. The exhibit presented Olympus initiatives in this field, including the bone replacement material OSferion, which has already been developed commercially.

New challenges for the medical systems business include the development of cultured bone, and even the generation of new organs.

OSferion - a bone replacement material that is eventually replaced by real bone



	From left: Hikaru Inoue , Tomoaki Tamura

Olympus first commercialized the bone replacement material OSferion about five years ago. In October 2004 the group responsible for biological materials was separated from the Medical New Business Project of the Corporate R&D Center, and Olympus Biomaterial Corp. was established. The aim of these changes was to accelerate the development expansion of the biological materials business and the development of commercial tissue engineering applications.

OSferion is an artificial bone material that can be used to replace bone lost for various reasons, such as injury or illness. This new medical technology is being promoted as an alternative to the transplantation of bone from other parts of the patient's body. The biggest advantage of OSferion is the fact that it is made from β-TCP, which has properties that allow it to be replaced by natural tissue. This human-friendly material eventually becomes part of the patient's own skeleton.

All of the developers say that while this property demonstrates the excellence of OSferion, it is even more a demonstration of the amazing power of the human body. Tissue engineering begins with the discovery and utilization of the latent powers of the body.

Olympus is now working to make bone replacement therapies even easier through research into cultured bone.



	The block-type bone replacement material OSferion first went on sale in 1999. Its principal ingredient is high-grade β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). When packed into areas of bone loss caused by the removal of bone tumor or by other conditions, such as fractures, OSferion provides a framework for bone formation. It is gradually absorbed and replaced with real bone.

The Medical New Business Project of the Corporate R&D Center is conducting research concerning cultured bone made by combining β-TCP, the material used to make OSferion, with osteoblasts. Their aim is to introduce living cells into the pure white OSferion, which looks like sugar cubes.

"Depending on the patient's condition and the degree of bone loss, β-TCP may not be sufficient to replace the bone. The challenge is to develop technologies that will allow the harvesting of cells from which bone can be formed, and the stimulation of those cells to become bones. Our aim in developing cultured bone is to use the power of cells to create a substance that will more easily be replaced by the patient's own bone material."

Specifically, the process will begin with the harvesting of bone marrow from the patient. Stem cells, which have the potential to become any type of tissue, will be obtained from the marrow and induced to become bone. These cells will then be added to the β-TCP. Olympus has also begun to develop an automatic culturing system to ensure that cultured bone can be produced safely.

With a complete understanding of cell functions, we will one day be able to regenerate organs.

If we can regenerate bone, why not a liver or kidney? What if we could grow a new organ to replace one almost totally lost due to cancer or other diseases? Recently there have been clinical cases in which stem cells have been harvested and used to heal myocardial infarction and regenerate corneas.

The researchers are very positive. "Our cell research initially focused on bones. During that process, we began to wonder if that technology could also become the foundation for the application of tissue engineering to other organs. In the future we want to expand the scope of our work to include tissue engineering for cartilage and organs." However, it is apparent that the difficulties involved are considerable. "For example, organs bring together a variety of functions. What elements do we need to bring together to create an organ? This will be the challenge for those involved in this field of research around the world. Our first priority is to understand the cells that we use in cultured bone. Cells are the creations of nature, and as we learn to understand them, we discover natural powers that we can use in tissue engineering. This technology is the focus of hopes and dreams for many people. In fact, we may be caught up in a whirlwind of excessive expectations. As with all new inventions and technologies, however, we have taken a positive first step toward the realization of our dream."

The left photograph shows the application of OSferion to the fibula of a 13-year girl, following the removal of a section of bone for transplantation elsewhere in the patient's body. The x-ray image on the right shows the bone immediately after packing with OSferion. The two images on the left show the situation 18 months after the surgery. Bone was taken from the patient's right fibula for use in surgery to correct lateral curvature of the spine. As much of the periosteum as possible was left intact, and the area was packed with β-TCP. The images show that the area from which the bone was harvested, which was approximately 20cm long, absorbed the β-TCP, and that the bone membrane and trabeculae regenerated. (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Higashi-Utsunomiya Hospital)
The purple area in the right photograph consists of cells cultured on β-TCP. Olympus is currently developing cultured bone consisting of β-TCP and osteoblasts, as well as an automatic culturing system to carry out the manufacturing process. The aim is to use the power of cells to create a product that will be easier for natural bone to replace.

The bone replacement material OSferion has excellent bio-compatibility. This electron microscope photograph shows the porous structure of the material.

>>Click here for the further informarion of OSferion

From "OTF85/Medical Systems Zone"

One of the areas in the Medical Systems Zone was dedicated to tissue engineering. Many visitors were surprised to learn about this new initiative by Olympus. There was also keen interest in the potential for the use of tissue engineering applied not only to bones but also to various organs.

A patient-friendly surgical technique that is used increasingly is endoscopic surgery via tiny holes in the abdomen. Because there is no large incision, the time spent in hospital can be reduced. Visitors were invited to try out the equipment.

This was the first OTF at which tissue engineering technology was exhibited in its own area. One of the most memorable events for staff was a conversation with a visitor who spoke, in front of a display showing the bone replacement material OSferion, about his experience of a bone fracture.

Another area was dedicated to the continuing evolution of endoscopic technology. Visitors were able to try out the many types of endoscopic instruments developed by Olympus in cooperation with medical practitioners.

INDEX | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

Contact Us