Method and apparatus for treating osteochondral pathologies

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for treating osteochondral pathologies. An implantable prosthesis for treating osteochondral pathologies includes: a porous substrate; and a substance positioned within the porous substrate that is elutable with regard to the porous substrate. The systems and methods provide advantages because a baited route is provided to attract mesenchymal stem cells from the cancellous bone underlying the articular surfaces up to chondral lesions within the joint, thereby promoting the growth of chondrocytes in the area of the chondral lesions.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The invention relates generally to the field of treating osteochondral pathologies. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for implanting a substance eluting porous substrate into a bony defect to promote repair of osteochondral lesions.[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art[0004] Interventions for the treatment of chondromalacia and osteoarthritis include a variety of modalities, which include arthroscopic debriedment, microfracture techniques, intraarticular injection of medicaments, osteochondral transplants, and open surgical interventions such as chondrocyte transplantation via cell culturing techniques. None of these techniques has achieved the goal of offering a technically and economically feasible technique for promoting the growth of hyaline cartilage cells within osteochondral lesions.[0005] Cartilaginous tissues covering the articulating ends of bones are composed of collagen, primarily Type II collagen a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0088] An implant, representing an embodiment of the invention, can be cost effective and advantageous for at least the following reasons. The invention provides a baited route to attract mesenchymal stem cells from the cancellous bone underlying the articular surfaces to chondral lesions within the joint, thereby promoting the growth of chondrocytes in the area of the chondral lesions.[0089] All the disclosed embodiments of the invention described herein can be realized and practiced without undue experimentation. Although the best mode of carrying out the invention contemplated by the inventors is disclosed above, practice of the invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.[0090] For example, the individual components need not be formed in the disclosed shapes, or assembled in the disclosed configuration, but could be provided in virtually any shape, and assembled in virtually any configuration. Further, the individual components need not be fabricated from the disclosed materials, but could be fabricated from virtually any suitable materials. Further, although the implant described herein can be a physically separate module, it will be manifest that the implant may be integrated into an apparatus with which it is associated. Furthermore, all the disclosed elements and features of each disclosed embodiment can be combined with, or substituted for, the disclosed elements and features of every other disclosed embodiment except where such elements or features are mutually exclusive.[0091] It will be manifest that various additions, modifications and rearrangements of the features of the invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept. It is intended that the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents cover all such additions, modifications, and rearrangements.[0092] The appended claims are not to be interpreted as including means-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase "means for." Expedient embodiments of the invention are differentiated by the appended subclaims.

Problems solved by technology

None of these techniques has achieved the goal of offering a technically and economically feasible technique for promoting the growth of hyaline cartilage cells within osteochondral lesions.

None of these treatments reverses or stops the degenerative process.

These treatments do nothing to repair tissues.

This technique is still considered controversial despite its relatively widespread use because of the lack of definitive clinical data.

This technique is less than satisfying in that normal healthy tissues must be sacrificed to be placed in the defect which may result in a failure of the transplant leaving both donor / harvest site and target lesion with a significant bony insult.

Clinical results at a small number of centers show some benefits but the cost and difficulty associated with a "two surgery" procedure leave much room for improvement in the treatment of this condition.

New efforts at simplifying this procedure and reducing costs are underway but is unclear whether any of these will be any more successful in promoting hyaline cartilage growth.

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