Compositions comprising a condensed mesenchymal cell body and a hydrogel are provided. The compositions may further include drugs or growth factors. The condensed mesenchymal cell body may include a connective tissue cell, or even a progenitor cell capable of producing connective tissue extracellular matrices such collagen and glycosaminoglycan. Also provided are methods of treating connective tissue defects, cartilage injury, and cartilage degradation.

The present invention refers to a method of manufacturing an implantable construct comprising chondrogenically differentiated cells and one or more polycaprolactone (PCL) microcarriers, an implantable construct produced using said method, and uses of the implantable construct. The present invention also refers to a method of manufacturing an implantable construct comprising mesenchymal stromal cells and one or more polycaprolactone (PCL) microcarriers, an implantable construct produced using said method, and uses of the implantable construct. The present invention further refers to a method of treating a disease or disorder associated with cartilage and/or bone defect, the method comprises administering one or more cell-free polycaprolactone (PCL) microcarriers in a patient suffering from the disease or disorder.

This invention provides porated cartilage products and methods of producing porated cartilage products. Optionally, the cartilage products are sized, porated, and digested to provide a flexible cartilage product. Optionally, the cartilage products comprise viable chondrocytes, bioactive factors such as chondrogenic factors, and a collagen type II matrix. Optionally, the cartilage products are non-immunogenic.

A human amniotic fluid formulation has been developed for administration into a joint or associated soft tissue such as a tendon or ligament for treatment of pain, degeneration, or injury. The formulation is a sterile de-cellularized human amniotic fluid (D-HAF), devoid of amniotic stem cells and elements of micronized membrane or chorion particles, which has not been heat treated or treated with ethidium bromide. The formulation is optionally diluted, or concentrated, depending on the severity of the disorder or injury. Examples demonstrate efficacy in treatment of pain, disease, disorder, degeneration or injury of a joint or associated soft tissues.

The present invention relates to a method for using a lyophilization hyaline cartilage powder to produce a composition for regenerating cartilage, and a composition for regenerating cartilage produced by using the method, the method comprising: A) a step for preparing hyaline cartilage; B) a step for freeze-drying and crushing the hyaline cartilage, and producing a lyophilization hyaline cartilage powder; C) a step for producing an adipose tissue extract from autologous adipose tissue; and D) a step for producing a composition which is for regenerating cartilage and including the lyophilization hyaline cartilage powder and the adipose tissue extract.

A method of making infused non-demineralized cartilage particles employs the following steps: cutting or shaving cartilage tissue into cartilage particles, washing the particles, and infusing the particles with a supernatant of biologic material or a polyampholyte cryoprotectant or a combination of both to create infused particles.

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.

Disclosed herein is a method of producing acellular cartilage grafts. The method includes steps of, subjecting a cartilage matrix derived from an animal to alkaline, disinfection and decelluarization treatments. The thus produced cartilage graft is devoid of any cellular matters, while maintaining the porosity and integrity of collagen fibers therein, thus is suitable as a xenograft for host cells to grown thereon. Also disclosed herein is a method for treating osteochondral disease of a subject, in which the present acellular cartilage graft is applied to a lesion site of the subject.

This invention provides coral-based scaffolds for cartilage repair, and instruments for insertion and utilization of same within a site of cartilage repair.

Embodiments of the invention include instruments and methods useful in preparing and delivering graft material to a surgical site. Some embodiments may particularly be directed to forming a graft from a blood clot and accurately and effectively handling and delivering the graft to a surgical site. Graft material may include blood components such as clotted fibrin derived from a patient's or a donor's blood.