Device for regeneration of articular cartilage and other tissue

• US 7,963,997 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2004
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation (DSM-Firmenich AG)
• Original Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation (DSM-Firmenich AG)
• Inventors: Bradica, Gino, Brekke, John H., Goldman, Scott M.
• Primary Examiner(s): RAMANA, ANURADHA
• Application Number:
  US10/830,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20040197311A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,617 Days
• Field of Search: 623/13.17, 623/13.18, 623/14.12, 623 2372- 2376, 623/23.61, 623/23.63, 623924-926, 523113-115, 606/151, 606/213
• US Class Current: 623/23.76
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/16 Blood plasma; Blood serum umbilical cord blood A61K35/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/28 Bone marrow; Haematopoietic stem cells; Mesenchymal stem cells of any origin, e.g. adipose-derived stem cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/15 Depsipeptides; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/38 containing added animal cells organs or tissue containing native cells A61L27/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3839 characterised by the site of application in the body materials for artificial blood vessels A61L27/507; materials for use in artificial skin A61L27/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/58 Materials at least partially resorbable by the body

Abstract

An implantable device for facilitating the healing of voids in bone, cartilage and soft tissue is disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes a cartilage region comprising a polyelectrolytic complex joined with a subchondral bone region. The cartilage region, of this embodiment, enhances the environment for chondrocytes to grow articular cartilage; while the subchondral bone region enhances the environment for cells which migrate into that region'"'"'s macrostructure and which differentiate into osteoblasts. A hydrophobic barrier exists between the regions, of this embodiment. In one embodiment, the polyelectrolytic complex transforms to hydrogel, following the implant procedure.

Claims

1. A bioresorbable device for facilitating healing and repair of tissue comprising, in combination and in vitro:

a macrostructure made from a polymer providing an internal three-dimensional architecture defining a network of void spaces, said macrostructure comprising a plurality of zones, having at least a first zone and a second zone;

a microstructure comprising at least one material for enhancing the attachment of cells to the three-dimensional architecture, said at least one material carried by the macrostructure within the void spaces of the three-dimensional architecture, said microstructure having the same architecture as said macrostructure but on a microscopic scale;

a hydrophobic barrier being arranged between said first zone and said second zone, said hydrophobic barrier comprising a region of said macrostructure wherein surface properties of said macrostructure are altered without altering the geometry or mechanical characteristics of said macrostructure; and

a plurality of cells attached to the three-dimensional architecture of the macrostructure of the device, wherein said plurality of cells are arranged to be transported to a repair site.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of cells are selected from the group consisting of chondrocytes, precursor cells, mesenchymal cells, islets of langerhans cells, and combination thereof.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said macrostructure is at least partially resorbable.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy acid polymer, polyanhydride, polydepsipeptide, polyorthoester, and combinations thereof.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said hydroxyl acid polymer is poly-lactic acid (PLA).

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cell culture medium saturating the device.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one biologically active agent.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said at least one biologically active agent is selected from the group consisting of growth factors, proteins, morphogens, drugs, therapeutic agents, and combinations thereof.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein said at least one biologically active agent is Bone Morphogenic Protein.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one material for enhancing the attachment of cells arranged within said first zone is specific for a particular cell phenotype, and said material for enhancing the attachment of cells within said second zone is specific for a second particular cell phenotype.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said microstructure further comprises a carrier for said at least one material, said carrier comprising at least one substance selected from the group consisting of hyaluronic acid and alginate.

12. A bioresorbable device for facilitating healing and repair of tissue comprising, in combination and in vitro:

a macrostructure made from a polymer providing an internal three-dimensional architecture defining a network of void spaces;

a microstructure comprising at least one material for enhancing the attachment of cells to the three-dimensional architecture, said at least one material carried by the macrostructure within the void spaces of the three-dimensional architecture, said microstructure having the same architecture as said macrostructure but on a microscopic scale;

a plurality of cells attached to the three-dimensional architecture of the macrostructure of the device, wherein said plurality of cells are arranged to proliferate and migrate into internal void spaces of the internal three-dimensional architecture, wherein said macrostructure comprises a plurality of zones, having at least, a first zone and a second zone; and

a hydrophobic barrier being arranged between said first zone, and said second zone, said hydrophobic barrier comprising a region of said macrostructure wherein surface properties of said macrostructure are altered without altering the geometry or mechanical characteristics of said macrostructure.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said at least one material for enhancing the attachment of cells arranged within said first zone is specific for a particular cell phenotype, and said material for enhancing the attachment of cells within said second zone is specific for a second particular cell phenotype.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein said microstructure further comprises a carrier for said at least one material, said carrier comprising at least one substance selected from the group consisting of hyaluronic acid and alginate.

15. A bioresorbable device for facilitating healing and repair of tissue comprising, in combination and in vitro:

a macrostructure made from a polymer providing an internal three-dimensional architecture defining a network of void spaces;

a microstructure comprising at least one material for enhancing the attachment of cells to the three-dimensional architecture, said at least one material carried by the macrostructure within the void spaces of the three-dimensional architecture, said microstructure being varied in amount according to a specific location within said device; and

a plurality of cells attached to the three-dimensional architecture of the device, wherein said plurality of cells are arranged to be transported to a repair site.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said microstructure is incompletely dispersed throughout said void spaces.

17. The device of claim 15, further comprising a concentration gradient of said microstructure.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein said at least one material comprises an RGD attachment moiety of fibronectin.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein said microstructure further comprises a carrier for said at least one material, said carrier comprising at least one substance selected from the group consisting of hyaluronic acid and alginate.