The invention relates to implantable systems for repairing and restoring cartilage. The invention provides methods and products for cartilage repair that use universal chondrocytes. A universal cell line includes cells such as universal chondrocytes that are not immunogenic or allergenic and can be grown in products suitable for use in a number of different people. Use of the universal chondrocytes allows for new processes and products. Where prior art autologous neocartilage constructs required many small reactors (e.g., at least one culture dish per patient to grow one 34 mm disc per patient), using a universal cell line allows, for example, one large batch of cartilage or neocartilage to be made under uniform conditions.
