Supports and methods for promoting integration of cartilage tissue explants

• US 10,167,447 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2014
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zimmer Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Yao, Jian Q., Wang, Hali
• Primary Examiner(s): Visone, Thomas J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pyla, Evelyn Y
• Application Number:
  US14/299,314
• Publication Number:
  US 20140335612A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,667 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/414 Growth factors
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/426 Immunomodulating agents, i.e. cytokines, interleukins, interferons
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/43 Hormones, e.g. dexamethasone
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2430/06 for cartilage reconstruction, e.g. meniscus
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3612 Cartilage, synovial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3852 Cartilage, e.g. meniscus
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/54 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L27/227 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2500/90 Serum-free medium, which may still contain naturally-sourced components
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2501/10 Growth factors
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2501/20 Cytokines; Chemokines
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2501/30 Hormones
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0655 Chondrocytes; Cartilage

Abstract

The present disclosure provides tissue supports and methods for preparing a cartilage composition for repairing cartilage defects, which is prepared by expanding and integrating small cartilage tissue pieces derived from donor or engineered tissue. The methods and supports described herein promote cell migration and integration of neighboring tissue pieces in culture to form the cartilage composition. Methods of cartilage repair using the cartilage composition are also described.

Claims

1. A method of making a cartilage tissue construct, the method comprising:

placing a first surface of a first cartilage tissue piece and a first surface of a second cartilage tissue piece adjacent to an exposed surface of a solid or semi-solid support, wherein at least one of the first cartilage tissue piece and the second cartilage tissue piece comprises a cartilage explant;

culturing, in vitro, the first cartilage tissue piece and the second cartilage tissue piece on the exposed surface of the support, including reorienting at least one of the first cartilage tissue piece and the second cartilage tissue piece, relative to the support, to direct the expansion or shape of the reoriented cartilage tissue piece.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein reorienting includes placing a second surface of the reoriented cartilage tissue piece adjacent to the exposed surface of the support.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein opposing surfaces of the reoriented cartilage tissue piece are directed to expand such that the reoriented cartilage tissue piece is substantially symmetrical on the opposing surfaces.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cartilage tissue piece is spaced 1 mm or less from the second cartilage tissue piece, and wherein culturing is under conditions and for a period of time such that the first cartilage tissue piece and the second cartilage tissue piece expand and integrate to form a larger cartilage tissue piece.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first cartilage tissue piece and the second cartilage tissue piece become integrated in about 42 days or less.