Meniscal repair scaffold

• US 8,657,881 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2004
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DePuy Mitek Holding Corporation
• Original Assignee: Depuy Mitek LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Kladakis, Stephanie M., Bowman, Steven M., Steckel, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sweet, Thomas J
• Assistant Examiner(s): WOLF, MEGAN YARNALL
• Application Number:
  US10/828,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20050234549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,598 Days
• Field of Search: 623/14.12
• US Class Current: 623/14.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3872 Meniscus for implantation between the natural bone surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2430/10 for reconstruction of tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/18 obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/04 Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. lactones C08L67/06 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for treating meniscal tissue damage are disclosed, including a biocompatible meniscal repair device comprising a biocompatible tissue repair scaffold and a cell growth conduit flap. The tissue repair scaffold is adapted to be placed in contact with a defect in the meniscus and can preferably provide a structure for supporting meniscal tissue and/or encouraging tissue growth. The cell growth conduit flap, which is attached to the tissue repair scaffold, allows communication between the synovium and the tissue repair scaffold.

Claims

1. A method of surgically repairing meniscal defects, comprising:

providing a tissue repair scaffold having attached thereto a cell growth conduit flap, the cell growth conduit flap extending from a first end attached to the tissue repair scaffold to a free end remote from the scaffold;

positioning the tissue repair scaffold in contact with a defect in a meniscus while positioning the cell growth conduit flap in contact with a tibial surface and a synovium; and

fixing the tissue repair scaffold in position,

wherein the cell growth conduit flap comprises at least one channel extending therethrough configured to communicate cells and nutrients from the synovium to the defect in the meniscus and thereby encourage healing of the meniscus, wherein the density of the cell growth conduit flap is in the range of about 150 mg/cc to 350 mg/cc.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of rasping the meniscus before positioning the cell growth conduit flap.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of rasping the synovium before positioning the cell growth conduit flap.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell growth conduit flap has a void volume in the range of about 50% to 95%.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one channel is on the surface of the cell growth conduit flap.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one channel is within the cell growth conduit flap.

7. A method of surgically repairing meniscal defects, comprising:

providing a cell growth conduit flap;

positioning the cell growth conduit flap in contact with a tissue defect in a meniscus and in contact with a tibial surface and a synovium; and

fixing the cell growth conduit flap in position,

wherein the cell growth conduit flap comprises at least one channel extending therethrough effective to communicate cells and nutrients from the synovium to the defect in the meniscus and thereby promote healing of the meniscus, wherein the density of the cell growth conduit flap is in the range of about 150 mg/cc to 350 mg/cc.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the cell growth conduit flap provides a conduit that enables cells and nutrients to travel from the synovium to the tissue defect in a meniscus.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of rasping the meniscus before positioning the cell growth conduit flap.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of rasping the synovium before positioning the cell growth conduit flap.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the cell growth conduit flap has a void volume in the range of about 50% to 95%.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one channel is on the surface of the cell growth conduit flap.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one channel is within the cell growth conduit flap.