Implantation of cartilage

Abstract

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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]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. This application claims priority to 3 cofiled and copending applications, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Cartilage is a highly hydrated connective tissue with chondrocytes embedded in a dense extracellular matrix made of, for example, collagen, proteoglycan and water. Although the biochemical composition of cartilage differs according to types, there are mainly three types of cartilage present in a mammal, which include: articular or hyaline cartilage, fibrocartilage, and elastic cartilage. Hyaline cartilage is predominantly found on the articulating surfaces of articulating joints and contains type II collagen and proteoglycans. It is found also in epiphyseal plates, costal cartilage, tracheal cartilage, bronchial cartilage, an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]Cartilage grafts may be transplanted containing a viable cell population or as a previously preserved tissue that contains a non-viable cell population (or partially viable cell population) and as a matrix structure that is changed only by the preservation and / or incubation process. The present invention relates to removal of the cell population and modification of the matrix structure such that the matrix will not only recellularize post-implantation, but remain cellular, remodeling into a tissue that maintains structural and functional compatibility. Also considered is the means by which the cartilage graft may be made acellular such that the matrix structure may be changed sufficient so as to promote recellularization and be biocompatible so as to restrict subsequent apoptosis of the infiltrating cells. In addition, treatment of the matrix structure to modify the macromolecular composition of the tissues and the molecular suturing of the implanted cartilage graft serves to control the hydraulic environment within the tissue, to restrict loss of fluids around the surgically created implant site, to provide an environment that allows cell infiltration, and to prevent infiltration of small proteoglycans in the synovial fluid at the opposing surfaces of cartilage graft and the recipient tissue.

Problems solved by technology

Despite some positive results, issues with tissue rejection, disease transmission and a lack of long-term data have limited the use of this approach.

The damage on the annulus can cause pain and possible disc herniation that can compress nerves or the spinal cord resulting in arm or leg pain and dysfunction.

However, the most common cartilage injury is articular cartilage injury often as a result of sports related trauma.

Due to its avascular nature, articular cartilage has very limited capacity for repair.

Unfortunately, chondral defects may not heal, especially when the defect does not penetrate the subchondral bone.

A wide variety of surgical procedures are in current use or have been proposed for use to repair chondral defects attempt to prompt the resident cellular population to become more metabolically active thereby promoting new matrix synthesis, however, for the most part, these surgical procedures do little more than provide temporary relief of pain.

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