Biphasic implant device providing gradient
First Claim
1. A method for treating and healing a cartilage defect, comprising applying a cell conductive biodegradable polymer matrix to a cartilage defect, wherein the matrix is in intimate contact with cartilage tissue and wherein the matrix comprises a circular gradient device comprising a core zone having a maximum radial dimension of 2.5 mm, and at least one annular outer zone having a maximum radial width dimension of 2.5 mm,wherein the at least one outer zone comprises a means for promoting systematic tissue conduction and growth from the cartilage tissue inwardly toward the center of the matrix;
- andwherein said core zone comprises a tissue formation retarding means that retards tissue formation at the interior of the matrix that is not directly connected to the cartilage tissue, said retarding means comprising a property gradient of said cell conductive biodegradable matrix that provides enhanced resistance to degradation at said interior relative to an outer edge of said matrix.
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Abstract
Tissue implants prepared for the repair of tissues, especially avascular tissues such as cartilage. One embodiment presents an electric potential capable of receiving and accumulating desirable factors or molecules from surrounding fluid when exposed to dynamic loading. In another embodiment the implant promotes tissue conduction by retarding, restricting and controlling cellular invasion through use of gradients until competent tissue forms. Further embodiments of the tissue implants may be formed into a multi-phasic device that provides deep tissue mechanical stimulus by conduction of mechanical and fluid forces experienced at the surface of the implant.
63 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for treating and healing a cartilage defect, comprising applying a cell conductive biodegradable polymer matrix to a cartilage defect, wherein the matrix is in intimate contact with cartilage tissue and wherein the matrix comprises a circular gradient device comprising a core zone having a maximum radial dimension of 2.5 mm, and at least one annular outer zone having a maximum radial width dimension of 2.5 mm,
wherein the at least one outer zone comprises a means for promoting systematic tissue conduction and growth from the cartilage tissue inwardly toward the center of the matrix; - and
wherein said core zone comprises a tissue formation retarding means that retards tissue formation at the interior of the matrix that is not directly connected to the cartilage tissue, said retarding means comprising a property gradient of said cell conductive biodegradable matrix that provides enhanced resistance to degradation at said interior relative to an outer edge of said matrix. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 29)
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19. A cell conductive matrix for treating and healing cartilage tissue, said matrix comprising a circular gradient device comprising a core zone having a maximum radial dimension of 2.5 mm, and at least one annular outer zone having a maximum radial width dimension of 2.5 mm, and wherein said gradient comprises a means for promoting systematic tissue conduction originating from tissue with which the matrix is in contact, said gradient further comprising a means for retarding tissue formation within areas of the matrix not yet in contact with ingrowing tissue, said gradient comprising at least one of density, polymer composition and polymer degree of cross-linking.
- 23. A cell conductive matrix for treating and healing cartilage tissue, said matrix comprising (i) a circular gradient device comprising biodegradable polymer, and (ii) a core region having a maximum radial dimension of 2.5 mm, and (iii) at least one annular outer region, that is closer to a periphery of said matrix than said core region, said at least one annular outer region having a maximum radial width dimension of 2.5 mm, said core region exhibiting enhanced resistance to polymer degradation than said at least one annular outer regions.
Specification