The invention is directed towards a process for implanting a cartilage graft into a cartilage defect and sealing the implanted cartilage graft with recipient tissue by creating a first bore down to the bone portion of the cartilage defect, creating a second shaped bore that is concentric to and on top of the first bore to match the shape and size of the cartilage graft, treating the first bore and the second shaped bore at the defect site with a bonding agent, treating the circumferential area of the cartilage graft with a bonding agent, inserting the cartilage graft into the defect site and wherein the superficial surface of the cartilage graft is at the same height as the surrounding cartilage surface. The first and second bonding agents may be activated by applying a stimulation agent to induce sealing, integration, and restoration of the hydrodynamic environments of the recipient tissue. The invention is also directed towards a process for repairing a cartilage defect and implanting a cartilage graft into a human or animal by crafting a cartilage matrix into individual grafts, cleaning and disinfecting the cartilage graft, applying a pretreatment solution to the cartilage graft, removing cellular debris using an extracting solution to produce a devitalized cartilage graft, implanting the cartilage graft into the cartilage defect with or without an insertion device, and sealing the implanted cartilage graft with recipient tissue. The devitalized cartilage graft is optionally recellularized in vitro, in vivo, or in situ with viable cells to render the tissue vital before or after the implantation. The devitalized cartilage graft is also optionally stored between the removing cellular debris and the recellularizing steps. The invention is further directed toward a repaired cartilage defect.

The invention provides treatment methods of using meniscus to repair injured and/or arthritic joints, for example, small hand joints including but not limited to radiocarpal, metacarpophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints. The invention also provides various implants made of meniscus for injured and/or arthritic joints.

A method for treating joint pain in a subject is disclosed. The method can include inserting a bone dowel and a first portion of a bone marrow aspirate into a subchondral region of a bone that is part of a joint being treated and introducing a second portion of the bone marrow aspirate into the intraarticular space of the joint being treated.

The invention is directed towards a process for implanting a cartilage graft into a cartilage defect and sealing the implanted cartilage graft with recipient tissue. The invention is also directed towards a process for repairing a cartilage defect and implanting a cartilage graft into a human or animal. The invention is further directed toward a repaired cartilage defect.

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 invention relates to a graft for repairing articular cartilage defects, comprising at least one of an autologous costal cartilage or an allogeneic costal cartilage, wherein the graft can be a whole piece of costal cartilage or a cartilage particle-bound hydrogel graft. The invention further relates to the use of the graft and a method for repairing articular cartilage defects. In the present invention, it has a small secondary injury by using costal cartilage implantation. In addition, it can be a minimally invasive operation, avoiding the risk of complications such as prosthesis loosening and infection due to the artificial joint replacement. Because the amount of costal cartilage is sufficient, it can meet the needs of multiple cartilage reconstruction and revision surgeries. Individualized reconstruction of injured articular cartilage surface can be achieved, which provides a safer, more operable repair method for patients diagnosed with articular cartilage defects.

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.

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.

A system for performing osteochondral transplantation surgery includes a harvesting guide tool for harvesting one or more osteochondral plugs and a transfer guide tool for insertion of each osteochondral plug in a damage site on an articular surface of a joint. A cartilage contact surface of each respective guide tool is adapted to follow the shape of a surface of cartilage or subchondral bone such that they conform to each other. Each respective guide tool includes one or more guide channels adapted to receive a respective surgical tool that slides within the guide channel, and is supported by the guide channel during surgery. The guide channels are configured to harvest and insert a plurality of osteochondral plugs of different sizes. The interiors of the guide channels are provided with markings for marking a rotational position of harvested plugs enabling positioning of the osteochondral plugs at a predetermined angle of rotation.