A method for damaged viable disc regeneration has the steps of identifying the damaged viable disc and inserting a cannula via Kambin's Triangle to an edge of an outer annulus of the disc; introducing a trocar into the cannula and penetrating the trocar into a central region of nucleus pulposus; removing a tissue biopsy sample from the nucleus pulposus for pathology and removing additional degenerative tissue from the central region to create a void or space; withdrawing the trocar from the cannula and inserting a needle into the cannula to the void or space; and injecting a regenerative disc material through the needle into the void or space to repair the damaged disc.

The invention provides a cell binding composition comprising a shear thinning gel wherein the shear thinning gel having attached to it one or more cell selective binding agents, or the shear thinning gel having dispersed therein a plurality of gel beads, the gel beads having attached to them one or more cell selective binding agents. Methods of enriching cells using the compositions and using the cells to treat injury or disease are also provided.

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

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional multiphasic synthetic tissue scaffold comprising first, second and third compartments, wherein: each said compartment comprises distinct microstructural, and/or chemical, and/or mechanical properties, and is connected with at least one other compartment of the scaffold via a continuous interface; the tissue scaffold is porous; and the external morphology of the tissue scaffold mimics that of a mammalian joint or a component thereof. The invention further relates to a method for producing the three dimensional multiphasic synthetic tissue scaffold using a polymeric material, the method comprising using a three-dimensional (3D) bioprinter to print the tissue scaffold by continuously deposit the polymeric material onto a platform until the tissue scaffold is produced in its entirety.

The present invention relates to preparation of bioink composed of cellulose nanofibril hydrogel with native or synthetic Calcium containing particles. The concentration of the calcium containing particles can be between 1% and 40% w/v. Such bioink can be 3D Bioprinted with or without human or animal cells. Coaxial needle can be used where cellulose nanofibril hydrogel filled with Calcium particles can be used as shell and another hydrogel based bioink mixed with cells can be used as core or opposite. Such 3D Bioprinted constructs exhibit high porosity due to shear thinning properties of cellulose nanofibrils which provides excellent printing fidelity. They also have excellent mechanical properties and are easily handled as large constructs for patient-specific bone cavities which need to be repaired. The porosity promotes vascularization which is crucial for oxygen and nutrient supply. The porosity also makes it possible for further recruitment of cells which accelerate bone healing process. Calcium containing particles can be isolated from autologous bone, allogenic bone or xenogeneic bone but can be also isolated from minerals or be prepared by synthesis. Preferable Calcium containing particles consist of β-tricalcium phosphate which is resorbable or natural bone powder, preferably of human or porcine origin. The particles described in the present invention have particle size smaller than 400 microns, or more preferably smaller than 200 microns, to make it possible to handle in printing nozzle without clogging and to obtain a good resolution. Cellulose nanofibrils can be produced by bacteria orbe isolated from plants. They can be neutral, charged or oxidized to be biodegradable. The bioink can be additionally supplemented by other biopolymers which provide crosslinking. Such biopolymers can be alginates, chitosans, modified hyaluronic acid or modified collagen derived biopolymers.

Described herein are methods and apparatus for constructing tissue replacements, such as bone replacements that may be used to repair damaged or missing segments of bone, such as may occur in wound repair or as a repair of a congenital anomaly. These methods involve a three-dimensional (3D) cell growth medium made from a yield stress material that allows cells and structures to be easily deposited and positioned.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

The present invention provides scaffolds that include a polymer and a cyclic peptide ligand. The peptide ligand increases the attachment of endothelial cells and/or progenitor cells to the scaffold. The present invention also provides engineered tissues that include the provided scaffolds. The present invention also provides coatings that include a coating polymer and a cyclic peptide ligand. The present invention also provides methods of improving endothelialization and vascularization of endothelial cells and/or progenitor cells for tissue regeneration in a subject and of repairing bone defects in a subject, by implanting a provided scaffold.

Collagen compositions, methods for preparing those collagen compositions, and 3D constructs formed from those collagen compositions are provided. In particular, methods of isolating collagen that exhibits an enhanced rate of gelling, such collagen compositions, and 3D constructs formed from such collagen compositions are provided.

A method for regeneration or repair of an infarcted myocardium including an infarcted region in an animal comprising injecting into the animal a composition including one or more gold nanostructures is disclosed.