Method of intervertebral disc treatment using articular chondrocyte cells

• US 8,697,139 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frank M. Phillips
• Original Assignee: Frank M. Phillips
• Inventors: Phillips, Frank Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Xie, Xiaozhen
• Application Number:
  US10/946,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20060062767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,493 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 424/572
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/12 Materials from mammals; Compositions comprising non-specified tissues or cells; Compositions comprising non-embryonic stem cells; Genetically modified cells vaccines or medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/00 Drugs for skeletal disorders
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0655 Chondrocytes; Cartilage

Abstract

Harvesting articular chondrocyte cells from a non-critical location of a patient and growing additional cells for transplantation into a damaged or diseased disc of the patient.

Claims

1. A method of treating a damaged intervertebral disc of a patient, comprising:

identifying a location of a plurality of non-critical articular chondrocyte cells within the patient, where the plurality of non-critical articular chondrocyte cells are located in the patient'"'"'s joints;

harvesting a portion of the plurality of non-critical articular chondrocyte cells; and

transplanting the portion of the plurality of non-critical articular chondrocyte cells that are isolated and absent their extra-cellular matrix into the damaged intervertebral disc.

2. The method of claim 1, further includes:

culturing the portion of the plurality of non-critical articular chondrocyte cells after harvesting a portion of the plurality of non-critical articular chondrocyte cells, where the culturing results in chondrocytes cells.

3. The method of claim 2, where culturing includes:

introducing a therapeutic substance into the portion of the plurality of non-critical articular chondrocyte cells.

4. The method of claim 3, where the therapeutic substance is recombinant generated morphogenetic proteins.

5. The method of claim 3, where the therapeutic substance is a nonresorbable polymer.

6. The method of claim 2, further includes:

removing the cultured chondrocyte cells from any matrix produced during the culturing.

7. The method of claim 1, further including:

Stabilizing the damaged intervertebral disc after transplanting the portion of the plurality of non-critical articular chondrocyte cells utilizing mechanical means comprising one or more of braces, splints, and pins.