Bone tissue engineering by ex vivo stem cells ongrowth into three-dimensional trabecular metal

A method of generating tissue, comprising:

• providing or obtaining a tissue scaffold implant comprising a shaped, porous three-dimensional tissue scaffold with an inert biocompatible metal film present on surfaces of the porous three-dimensional tissue scaffold and with living cells in pores of the porous three-dimensional tissue scaffold, said porous three-dimensional tissue scaffold having an interconnected porosity for facilitating nutrient diffusion and media circulation throughout the porous three-dimensional tissue scaffold;
• and
• placing said tissue scaffold implant in an ex-vivo bioreactor for generating tissue on said porous three-dimensional tissue scaffold.

A tissue scaffold implant for implantation in a patient, comprising:

• a shaped, porous three-dimensional tissue scaffold fabricated as a single implant piece and effective to receive tissue ingrowth upon implantation in a patient, said porous three-dimensional tissue scaffold having an interconnected porosity for facilitating nutrient diffusion and media circulation throughout the porous three-dimensional tissue scaffold;
• and
• ex-vivo cultured tissue on the porous three-dimensional tissue scaffold.

A method of implantation, comprising:

• providing or obtaining a tissue scaffold implant that is effective to receive tissue ingrowth upon implantation in a patient, said tissue scaffold implant comprising a shaped, porous three-dimensional tissue scaffold with ex-vivo cultured tissue on the porous three-dimensional tissue scaffold;
• and
• implanting said tissue scaffold implant in a patient.