Cartilage allograft plug
First Claim
1. In combination, minced cartilage putty comprising milled cartilage pieces mixed in a biocompatible carrier and a sterile, cylindrically-shaped allograft bone plug, said plug including a subchondral bone portion, which has a diameter selected to form an interference fit against a subchondral bone layer exposed as a result of a bore formed in a defect area in articular cartilage of a host, and an integral overlying cartilage cap which has been treated to remove cellular debris, chondrocytes and proteoglycans, said cap having a first cap portion, which is located proximal to said subchondral bone portion of said plug, said first cap portion having a diameter the same as that of said subchondral bone portion of said plug, and a second cap portion, which is located remote from said subchondral bone portion of said plug and which has a diameter less than that of said subchondral bone portion of said plug, said first and second cap portions being separated by an annular step which forms a ring-shaped gap positionable alongside a cartilage layer exposed as a result of a bore formed in a defect area in articular cartilage of a host, said gap being sized and shaped so as to receive said minced cartilage putty for promoting cartilage cell growth in said gap and for enhancing tissue integration between said plug and host tissue, when said plug is inserted into a bore formed in a defect area in articular cartilage of a host.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is directed toward a cartilage repair assembly comprising a cylindrically shaped allograft structure of subchondral bone with an integral overlying smaller diameter cartilage cap which is treated to remove cellular debris and proteoglycans. The shaped structure is dimensioned to fit in a drilled bore in a cartilage defect area so that the subchondral bone of the structure engages the side wall of the bone portion of the drilled bore in an interference fit while the cartilage cap is spaced from cartilage portion of the side wall of the drilled bore forming a gap in which a milled cartilage and biocompatible carrier mixture is placed allowing cell transfer throughout the defect area. A method for inserting the shaped allograft structure into a cartilage defect area is also disclosed.
291 Citations
26 Claims
- 1. In combination, minced cartilage putty comprising milled cartilage pieces mixed in a biocompatible carrier and a sterile, cylindrically-shaped allograft bone plug, said plug including a subchondral bone portion, which has a diameter selected to form an interference fit against a subchondral bone layer exposed as a result of a bore formed in a defect area in articular cartilage of a host, and an integral overlying cartilage cap which has been treated to remove cellular debris, chondrocytes and proteoglycans, said cap having a first cap portion, which is located proximal to said subchondral bone portion of said plug, said first cap portion having a diameter the same as that of said subchondral bone portion of said plug, and a second cap portion, which is located remote from said subchondral bone portion of said plug and which has a diameter less than that of said subchondral bone portion of said plug, said first and second cap portions being separated by an annular step which forms a ring-shaped gap positionable alongside a cartilage layer exposed as a result of a bore formed in a defect area in articular cartilage of a host, said gap being sized and shaped so as to receive said minced cartilage putty for promoting cartilage cell growth in said gap and for enhancing tissue integration between said plug and host tissue, when said plug is inserted into a bore formed in a defect area in articular cartilage of a host.
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18. A method of repairing an articular cartilage defect of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a sterile, cylindrically-shaped allograft bone plug, the plug including a subchondral bone portion and an integral overlying cartilage cap which has been treated to remove cellular debris, chondrocytes and proteoglycans, the cap having a first cap portion, which is located proximal to the subchondral bone portion of the plug, the first cap portion having a diameter the same as that of the subchondral bone portion of the plug, and a second cap portion, which is located remote from the subchondral bone portion of the plug, the second cap portion having a diameter less than that of the subchondral bone portion of the plug, the first end second cap portions being separated by an annular step formed in the cartilage cap; (b) forming a bore in an articular cartilage defect area of the patient, the bore exposing a subchondral bone layer and a cartilage layer in the defect area; (c) inserting the plug into the bore so that (i) the subchondral bone portion of the plug forms an interference fit against the exposed subchondral bone layer and (ii) the second cap portion of the plug is spaced from the exposed cartilage layer to thereby cooperate with the annular step in the formation of a ring-shaped gap positioned alongside the exposed cartilage layer; and (d) providing the ring-shaped gap with minced cartilage putty to promote cartilage cell growth in the gap and to enhance tissue integration between the plug and the patient'"'"'s tissue, the cartilage putty comprising milled cartilage pieces mixed in a biocompatible carrier. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification