Method of providing cells and other biologic materials for transplantation
First Claim
1. A method of transplanting cells or other biologic materials, comprising the steps of:
- harvesting nucleus pulposus cells or tissue from a live human or animal donor;
culturing and banking the cells or tissue to ensure that they are free from communicable diseases;
morselizing the harvested nucleus pulposus tissue;
forming a passageway through the annulus fibrosis; and
transplanting the harvested nucleus pulposus cells into the disc through the passageway.
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Abstract
Tissue culture and banking is used to guard against the spread of transmittable diseases. In one disclosed example, living nucleus pulposis cells obtained from recently deceased human or animal donors are used to restore disc function and eliminate pain in patients with disc disease. In the preferred embodiment, the donor nucleus is morselized to allow insertion through a small puncture in the annulus fibrosis with a needle and syringe. Although the description makes specific reference to human disc cells, the invention may be used as a way to provide disease-free disc tissue derived from animal sources, and is applicable as well to other types of biologic tissues and materials such pancreas cells, cartilage cells, and so forth. Additional therapeutic substances like culture medium, growth factors, differentiation factors, hydrogels polymers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or immunosuppressive medications could be added to the transplanted cells or tissue.
121 Citations
3 Claims
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1. A method of transplanting cells or other biologic materials, comprising the steps of:
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harvesting nucleus pulposus cells or tissue from a live human or animal donor;
culturing and banking the cells or tissue to ensure that they are free from communicable diseases;
morselizing the harvested nucleus pulposus tissue;
forming a passageway through the annulus fibrosis; and
transplanting the harvested nucleus pulposus cells into the disc through the passageway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
culture media, growth factors, differentiation factors, hydrogels, polymers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or immunosuppressive medications.
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Specification