Neo-cartilage constructs and a method for preparation thereof

Abstract

Neo-cartilage constructs suitable for implantation into a joint cartilage lesion in situ and a method for repair and restoration of function of injured, traumatized, aged or diseased cartilage. The construct comprises at least chondrocytes incorporated into a support matrix processed according to the algorithm comprising variable hydrostatic or atmospheric pressure or non-pressure conditions, variable rate of perfusion, variable medium composition, variable temperature, variable cell density and variable time to which the chondrocytes are subjected.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 10 / 104,677 filed on Mar. 22, 2002 and is based on and claims priority of the Provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 425,696 filed on Nov. 12, 2002 and Provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 427,627 filed on Nov. 18, 2002.[0002] 1. Field of Invention[0003] The current invention concerns neo-cartilage constructs suitable for implantation into a joint cartilage lesion in situ and a method for repair and restoration of function of injured, traumatized, aged or diseased cartilage. The construct of the invention comprises at least chondrocytes incorporated into a support matrix processed according to the algorithm of the invention. In particular, the invention concerns a neo-cartilage construct for in situ implanting into a cartilage lesion wherein said construct comprises a cultured differentiated autologous or heterologous chondrocytes or cells which could be differentiated into chondrocytes incorporated into a support ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0037] d) depositing a space-holding thermo-reversible gel (SHTG) or TRGH into a lesion or into a cavity formed above the first sealant layer thereby permitting sufficient time for growth and differentiation of ex vivo cultured neo-cartilage, said space holding thermo-reversible gel (SHTG) deposited into said cavity as a sol at temperatures between about 5 to about 25.degree. C., wherein within said cavity and at the body temperature said SHTG converts from the fluidic sol into a solid gel and in this form SHTG holds the space for subsequent introduction of the neo-cartilage cultured ex vivo, and provides protection against cell and blood-borne agents migration into the cavity from the subchondral space and from the synovial capsule and wherein its presence further provides a substrate for and promotes in situ formation of a de novo superficial cartilage layer covering the cartilage lesion;

[0046] d) depositing said neo-cartilage suspended in the TRGH into a cavity formed between two layers of sealants as a sol at temperatures between about 5 to about 25.degree. C. wherein, within said cavity and at the body temperature, said TRGH converts from the sol state into the solid gel and in this state provides protection for and enables integration of deposited neo-cartilage into a native surrounding cartilage and wherein the presence of TRGH further provides a substrate and promotes in situ formation of de nova superficial cartilage layer covering the cartilage lesion; and

[0053] Still another aspect of the current invention is a method for generation and maintaining integrity of the lesion cavity for the introduction of neo-cartilage, a neo-cartilage gel, a neo-cartilage suspension or neo-cartilage construct from a synovial capsule and for blocking the migration of subchondral and synovial cells and cell and blood products into said cavity and for providing a substrate for a formation of superficial cartilage layer overgrowing the lesion by introducing a biologically acceptable space-holding thermo-reversible gel (SHTG) into a cleaned lesion for a duration of culturing autologous chondrocytes into neo-cartilage before introducing said neo-cartilage or neo-cartilage construct or suspension into the lesion.

Problems solved by technology

Damage to the articular cartilage which occurs in active individuals and older generation adults as a result of either acute or repetitive traumatic injury or aging is quite common.

Such damaged cartilage leads to pain, affects mobility and results in debilitating disability.

For example, severe and chronic forms of knee joint cartilage damage can lead to greater deterioration of the joint cartilage and may eventually lead to a total knee joint replacement.

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