Compact membranes of chitosan/hyaluronic acid polyelectrolyte complexes for cartilage repair

Cartilage exhibits limited ability to heal, due to its avascularity and consequent low access to nutrients or circulating cells. Its inability to reconstruct and the need to maintain the phenotype have inspired planar and three dimensional devices that promote chondrocyte seeding and phenotype maintenance. We present compact polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) membranes for the regeneration of cartilage defects. These structures consist of chitosan (CHT) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) complexes, which are known to help in chondrogenesis.