Device for regeneration of articular cartilage and other tissue
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
53 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A bioresorbable device for facilitating healing and repair of tissue comprising, in combination and in vitro:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A bioresorbable device for facilitating healing and repair of tissue comprising, in combination and in vitro:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A bioresorbable device for facilitating healing and repair of tissue comprising, in combination and in vitro:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification