Arthroscopic MACI Delivery Device for Minimally Invasive Cartilage Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for cartilage defects, such as autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), often require open surgical techniques that are invasive, lead to longer recovery times, and increase the risk of infection.

Innovation Solution

The development of arthroscopic delivery technologies for matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) that allow for the minimally invasive delivery of cell-seeded implants, maintaining cell viability comparable to non-arthroscopic methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If open surgical technique (mini-arthrotomy) is used for MACI implantation, then cell viability is maintained, but invasion level increases and recovery time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell viabilityVSAvoidinversion level

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A delivery device serves as an intermediary tool between the surgical site and the implant. The device includes a shaft with a distal end that can be inserted through a small arthrotomy, allowing the cell-seeded matrix to be delivered to the defect site without requiring large open incisions, thus reducing invasion while maintaining cell viability through controlled delivery mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical approach is segmented into a minimally invasive delivery phase through small arthrotomy followed by implant placement. This segmentation allows the surgical access to be minimized while the implant itself provides the necessary structural support and cell delivery, separating the invasive aspect from the therapeutic function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If open surgical technique (mini-arthrotomy) is used for MACI implantation, then cell viability is maintained, but recovery time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell viabilityVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery device acts as an intermediary that enables minimally invasive implant placement through small arthrotomy. By using this intermediary tool, the surgical trauma is reduced significantly compared to traditional open techniques, leading to faster tissue healing and shorter recovery times while still maintaining high cell viability through controlled delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making a large open incision to directly access and implant the matrix, the approach is inverted by using a small arthrotomy with a delivery device that can be inserted and manipulated within the joint. This inverted approach reduces the surgical footprint and accelerates recovery while preserving implant effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If open surgical technique (mini-arthrotomy) is used for MACI implantation, then cell viability is maintained, but pain increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell viabilityVSAvoidpain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery device serves as an intermediary that enables minimally invasive access through small arthrotomy. This intermediary approach reduces soft tissue trauma and bone exposure compared to open techniques, thereby reducing postoperative pain while maintaining cell viability through controlled implant delivery to the defect site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If arthroscopic delivery is used, then invasion level is reduced, but cell viability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinversion levelVSAvoidcell viability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery device acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between minimally invasive access and effective implant delivery. It includes features such as a shaft with distal end that can be inserted through small arthrotomy and positioned at the defect site, allowing cell-seeded matrix to be delivered with controlled force and positioning that preserves cell viability while maintaining low invasion level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery device is designed with preliminary structural features that enable gentle handling and positioning of the cell-seeded matrix. The distal end configuration and insertion mechanics are pre-engineered to minimize mechanical stress on cells during delivery, ensuring high cell viability is maintained even through arthroscopic access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250161073A1Methods and devices for repairing cartilage defects

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 VERICEL CORP

AI summary

The present disclosures describe devices and methods to repair cartilage defects using arthroscopic surgical methods. The disclosed devices include a cannula assembly including a cannula body, a dam seal sub-assembly disposed proximally from the cannula body, and an obturator inserted coaxially through both the cannula body and the dam seal sub-assembly; an articulated arthroscopic cutting tool; a ring curette; a square curette; a rake curette; a matrix shuttle delivery device (540) comprising at least two deployment wings (548) for delivering a cell-seeded support matrix including chondrocytes; and an applicator tool.