Osteochondral graft composition that include a cartilage component and a bone component, and which include one or more perforations in the bone component and/or the cartilage component, are provided. Methods of manufacturing and using such osteochondral graft compositions are also provided.

In one aspect, an implant for replacing subject tissue includes a nonbiologic portion and a biologic portion grown on the nonbiologic portion. The biologic portion may be grown on the nonbiologic portion before being implanted in the subject. The nonbiologic portion may comprise a porous metal substrate (e.g., scaffolding). The nonbiologic portion may be formed by 3D printing (i.e., additive manufacturing). The nonbiologic portion may be patient-specific. A robot may be used to shape the implant before implantation and/or to shape bone being replaced/resurfaced.

Disclosed herein is a modified tissue graft (120, 200, 300, 500, 630) with improved properties for tissue integration and regeneration. The tissue graft (120, 200, 300, 500, 630) has biological properties that are enhanced by removing lipids (615) and other contaminants (e.g., blood components, micro-organisms) using enzymes, enzyme aggregates, or immobilized enzymes. This application describes the process (10) for removing bio-contaminants while maintaining optimal biological properties.

Fibrocartilage implants characterized by circumferential fiber networks embedded in arcuate or torroidal scaffolds with orthogonal fiber networks embedded therein to prevent separation of the circumferential fiber networks. The fiber networks convert axial compressive forces on the scaffolds to tensile loads on the circumferential fibers. Artificial knee meniscus and vertebral disc implants are disclosed, as well as articular disc implants for joints such as the temporomandibular joint and wrist. Methods for implanting the fibrocartilage devices are also disclosed.

Methods and compositions for the biological repair of cartilage using a hybrid construct combining both an inert structure and living core are described. The inert structure is intended to act not only as a delivery system to feed and grow a living core component, but also as an inducer of cell differentiation. The inert structure comprises concentric internal and external and inflatable/expandable balloon-like bio-polymers. The living core comprises the cell-matrix construct comprised of HDFs, for example, seeded in a scaffold. The method comprises surgically removing a damaged cartilage from a patient and inserting the hybrid construct into the cavity generated after the foregoing surgical intervention. The balloons of the inert structure are successively inflated within the target area, such as a joint, for example. Also disclosed herein are methods for growing and differentiating human fibroblasts into chondrocyte-like cells via mechanical strain.

Methods and compositions for the biological repair of cartilage using a hybrid construct combining both an inert structure and living core are described. The inert structure is intended to act not only as a delivery system to feed and grow a living core component, but also as an inducer of cell differentiation. The inert structure comprises concentric internal and external and inflatable/expandable balloon-like bio-polymers. The living core comprises the cell-matrix construct comprised of HDFs, for example, seeded in a scaffold. The method comprises surgically removing a damaged cartilage from a patient and inserting the hybrid construct into the cavity generated after the foregoing surgical intervention. The balloons of the inert structure are successively inflated within the target area, such as a joint, for example. Also disclosed herein are methods for growing and differentiating human fibroblasts into chondrocyte-like cells via mechanical strain.

Medical devices having engineered mechanically functional cartilage from adult human mesenchymal stem cells and method for making same.

In one aspect, an implant for replacing subject tissue includes a nonbiologic portion and a biologic portion grown on the nonbiologic portion. The biologic portion may be grown on the nonbiologic portion before being implanted in the subject. The nonbiologic portion may comprise a porous metal substrate (e.g., scaffolding). The nonbiologic portion may be formed by 3D printing (i.e., additive manufacturing). The nonbiologic portion may be patient-specific. A robot may be used to shape the implant before implantation and/or to shape bone being replaced/resurfaced.

In some embodiments the present invention provides perfusion bioreactors and cell culture scaffolds suitable for the preparation of tissue grafts, such as bone tissue grafts. In some embodiments, the perfusion bioreactors comprise a graft chamber and/or a graft chamber insert configured to hold a tissue graft having a certain shape and/or certain dimensions, and/or to allow culture of such tissue grafts under press-fit direct perfusion conditions. In some embodiments, the perfusion bioreactors comprise an equilibration chamber.