Multiple Component Grafts for Osteochondral Defect Reconstruction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for osteochondral defects, which involve both bone and cartilage tissues, are limited as they often require pre-shaped implants that may necessitate removal of healthy joint tissue and are restricted to natural anatomical configurations, lacking versatility in treating defects with multiple tissue types.

Innovation Solution

A multiple component graft comprising two or more tissue-derived matrices from different types of tissue, such as bone and cartilage, which can be sequentially implanted or combined to form a composite graft, allowing for tailored treatment of osteochondral defects without the need for extensive tissue removal, and can be shaped to fit non-uniform defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pre-shaped implants are used to treat osteochondral defects, then the defect can be filled with a single implant, but healthy joint tissue must be removed and the implant is restricted to natural anatomical configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveTreatment efficiencyVSAvoidDefect shape adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The graft is divided into multiple components, each comprising a tissue-derived matrix from a different tissue type (e.g., bone, cartilage, tendon). This segmentation allows each component to be tailored to specific defect regions, enabling treatment of non-uniform defects without removing healthy tissue, while maintaining treatment efficiency through a modular implant system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each component of the graft is designed with specific tissue-derived matrices suited for particular locations within the defect. The graft allows different tissue types to be placed in different regions (e.g., bone matrix in subchondral bone defects, cartilage matrix in articular cartilage defects), providing local quality matching that pre-shaped implants cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tissue types are combined in a single graft, then comprehensive treatment of osteochondral defects is achieved, but the graft structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMulti-tissue treatment capabilityVSAvoidGraft structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex multi-tissue graft is segmented into separate components, each containing a specific tissue-derived matrix. This segmentation simplifies the overall structure by allowing each component to be manufactured and stored separately, then assembled at the surgical site, reducing the complexity of handling and implanting a single multi-component graft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each component of the graft is designed to be universally applicable to different defect types and locations. The tissue-derived matrices in each component can be used for various purposes (e.g., bone matrix for subchondral bone defects, cartilage matrix for articular cartilage defects, tendon matrix for ligamentous defects), providing multi-functionality that reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230057906A1Multiple component grafts for treating tissue defects and methods for making and using same
Publication Date: 2023.02.23 MUSCULOSKELETAL TRANSPLANT FOUND INC

AI summary

Multiple component grafts are provided for treatment of tissue defects and comprise two or more components, each of which is a tissue-derived matrix and at least two of which are derived from different types of tissue. For example, a first component may be a matrix derived from cartilage tissue such as cartilage fibers with or without viable cells, cartilage particles with or without viable cells, or combinations of any two or more such cartilage-derived matrices. A second component may be a matrix derived from bone tissue such as mineralized or demineralized cortical bone fibers, viable cancellous bone matrix (e.g., cryopreserved or lyophilized chips, particulates, powder, sheets, putty, flowable fluid, etc.), demineralized or demineralized cancellous bone matrix (chips, particulates, powder, sheets, putty, flowable fluid, etc.), or combinations of any two or more of such bone-derived matrices. Also provided are methods for making and using such multiple component grafts.