The invention is directed towards a process for implanting a
cartilage graft into a
cartilage defect and sealing the implanted
cartilage graft with recipient tissue by creating a first bore down to the bone portion of the cartilage defect, creating a second shaped bore that is concentric to and on top of the first bore to match the shape and size of the
cartilage graft, treating the first bore and the second shaped bore at the defect site with a bonding agent, treating the circumferential area of the
cartilage graft with a bonding agent, inserting the
cartilage graft into the defect site and wherein the superficial surface of the cartilage graft is at the same height as the surrounding
cartilage surface. The first and second bonding agents may be activated by applying a stimulation agent to induce sealing, integration, and restoration of the hydrodynamic environments of the recipient tissue. The invention is also directed towards a process for repairing a cartilage defect and implanting a cartilage graft into a human or animal by crafting a
cartilage matrix into individual grafts, cleaning and disinfecting the cartilage graft, applying a pretreatment solution to the cartilage graft, removing
cellular debris using an extracting solution to produce a devitalized cartilage graft, implanting the cartilage graft into the cartilage defect with or without an
insertion device, and sealing the implanted cartilage graft with recipient tissue. The devitalized cartilage graft is optionally recellularized
in vitro,
in vivo, or in situ with viable cells to render the tissue vital before or after the implantation. The devitalized cartilage graft is also optionally stored between the removing
cellular debris and the recellularizing steps. The invention is further directed toward a repaired cartilage defect.