Products, processes, compositions, kits, and methods are provided for cartilage-derived implants. The implants can exhibit resistance to enzyme (e.g., collagenase, protease, etc.) digestion compared to the source tissue from which they were derived while still having one or more mechanical properties comparable to the source tissue from which they were derived. The implants can also have a plurality of molecular bridges between molecules of the cartilaginous material. The molecular bridges can connect one or more collagen fibrils and/or/with one or more glycosaminoglycans. The implants can also be treated with cationic detergent, packaged and sterilized with or without additional components, and surgically implanted into subjects.

The invention relates to a method of producing an elastin-reduced cartilage scaffold containing channels and/or lacunae, the method comprising the steps of providing an elastic cartilage sample and reducing elastin from said cartilage sample to produce said channels and/or lacunae. The invention further relates to an elastin-reduced cartilage scaffold. Said elastin-reduced cartilage scaffold can be used in a method of implantation in vivo, for repairment of cartilage, repairment of osteochondral defects and repairment of bone defects.

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for creating a viable connective tissue and/or osseous tissue obtained by tribological solicitations of a biological culture. It further relates to a viable connective tissue and/or osseous tissue susceptible to be obtained by said method as well as to the use of said method or viable connective tissue and/or osseous tissue to prepare a biological implant.

The present disclosure provides tissue fillers. The tissue fillers can include a plurality of tissue particles formed from acellular tissue matrix fragments. The tissue fillers can be used to fill tissue sites, such as voids formed after tissue resection.

Decellularized matrix microspheres comprising a polymeric material and a donor tissue are provided. Also disclosed are structures containing a plurality of decellularized matrix microspheres incorporating a first polymer and a donor tissue; and a second polymer, wherein the decellularized matrix microspheres and the second polymer are in the form of a filament. Methods of treating a tissue injury employing the matrix microspheres and structures described as well as their methods of manufacture are also provided.

Particulated and reconstituted tissues comprising small, densely packed tissue microparticles encapsulated in a tissue specific promoting gel packed at a percolation threshold that can be transplanted into damaged tissue thereby facilitating regeneration following trauma to the tissue. The engineered microparticle construct for tissue replacement and repair, as taught herein, provides numerous benefits including (1) encouraging a regenerative response in damaged tissue regions, (2) mimicking the structural support of native tissue, (3) establishing an environment that promotes attachment, migration, and differentiation of infiltrating stem cells, and (4) providing a source of growth factors and other anti-catabolic growth factors and cytokines. Tissue specific microparticles packed together at, or past, their percolation threshold will provide the necessary mechanical environment and to best recapitulate and integrate with native tissue. The packing of microparticles, derived from the ECM of native tissue, to a concentration past the percolation point will yield both the necessary biochemical and biomechanical properties necessary for reconstituting a specific tissue.

An implantable composition can include methacrylated solubilized devitalized cartilage (MeSDVC) with or without devitalized cartilage (DVC) particles. These compositions can be hydrogel precursors. After implantation, the MeSDVC may be crosslinked so as to form a hydrogel. The crosslinked hydrogel can include the DVC particles. A hydrogel precursor matrix (e.g., not crosslinked) can include a crosslinkable substance that can be crosslinked into a hydrogel, where DVC particles are included in the precursor matrix. The hydrogel precursor matrix can be located in a tissue defect site, such as a hole or recess in a cartilage or bone, and then crosslinked into a hydrogel that has the DVC particles therein.

There are disclosed compositions for achieving reverse phase characteristics, methods of preparation thereof, and the use of amniotic tissue for cartilage repair. In an embodiment, a biocompatible articular tissue repair composition may have a therapeutic material and a carrier configured for achieving reverse phase characteristics, and methods for using the composition. In various embodiments, the therapeutic material may be amniotic tissue. In various embodiments, the carrier may be a poloxamer such as poloxamer 407. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

The present invention concerns a method for obtaining an implantable cartilage gel for tissue repair of hyaline cartilage, comprising particles of chitosan hydrogel and cells that are capable of forming hyaline cartilage, said method comprising a step for amplification of primary cells in a three-dimensional structure comprising particles of physical hydrogel of chitosan or a chitosan derivative, then a step for re-differentiation and induction of the synthesis of extracellular matrix by said amplified cells, in the same three-dimensional structure, wherein said cells are primary articular chondrocytes and/or mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into chondrocytes. The present invention also concerns the cartilage gel obtained thereby, and its various uses for cartilage repair following a traumatic lesion or an osteoarticular disease such as osteoarthritis. The invention also concerns a three-dimensional matrix comprising particles of physical hydrogel of chitosan or of chitosan derivative, optionally supplemented with an anionic molecule such as hyaluronic acid or a derivative of hyaluronic acid or a complex of hyaluronic acid.

The present disclosure relates to cartilage repair compositions and methods for modifying the proteoglycan content of the compositions. Specifically, the methods relate to serum free, collagen free neocartilage made from chondrocytes that can be used for implants. Proteoglycans, such as aggrecan and sulfated glycosaminoglycan are used and the content modified using temperature changes.