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.

A mill head for replaceable attachment to a base so as to collectively form a bone mill. The mill head includes shell with: a first opening in which bone stock is introduced into the head; and a second opening through which the bone chips are discharged. A cutting device is mounted in the shell to both rotate and move laterally. Attached to the cutting device are coupling features for engaging a drive spindle able to rotate the cutting device. Also attached to the housing is an alignment feature. The alignment feature engages a complementary alignment feature associated with the drive spindle so as a result of the engagement of the alignment features, the cutting device moves within the shell so that the cutting device coupling features are positioned to engage the drive spindle.

A cleaning module for cleaning bone stock used in surgical procedures. The cleaning module includes a shell. The shell defines a void space to receive the bone stock. A cutter is rotating mounted in the void space. A shaving tube, also able to rotate, is coaxially disposed about the cutter. The cutter and shaving tube have complementary edges. A drive assembly rotates the cutter and shaving tube at different speeds, at different times or in different directions relative to the cutter. As a result of the rotation of the cutter and shaving tube soft tissue adhering to the bone stock is cut away from the bone stock by the relative rotating of the cutting edges of the cutter and shaving tube.

A bone cleaning assembly (102, 602) with cleaning elements (690, 724, 1230, 1264) that remove soft tissue bone stock. The module also includes a clearing element (778) that is periodically urged against the cleaning elements to remove bone stock trapped by the cleaning elements from the cleaning elements.

A device for hydrating particulate bone material is provided. The device comprises a tubular member having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface is configured to receive the particulate bone material and a hydration fluid. The exterior surface has a plurality of pores configured to allow the hydration fluid to flow into the interior surface of the tubular member and hydrate the particulate bone material. The plurality of pores are smaller in size than the particulate bone material. Methods of dispensing particulate the bone material are also provided.

Disclosed are various bioactive grafts and/or biocompatible materials and methods of making the same. In one embodiment, bone material is harvested from a donor. The harvested bone material is exposed to a lysing agent, the lysing agent configured to release growth factors and bioactive materials from cellular material of the harvested bone material. The harvested bone material is then rinsed with a rinsing agent. The pH of the harvested bone material is substantially neutralized. In another embodiment, an orthopaedic implant includes an antibacterial polysaccharide. The implant may also include an osteostimulative agent.

There is disclosed a system and methods for debriding soft tissue from bone using a high-pressure water debridement system. One embodiment includes a cylindrical sleeve bounded by endcaps and having a drainage port positioned for effluent drainage. A central shaft is configured to receive a bone segment and is disposed along a longitudinal center of the sleeve and rotatively coupled between the endcaps. At least one high-pressure water nozzle is disposed on each side of the sleeve, each of which is positioned to impact the bone segment with a high-pressure water stream. A rotational actuator is configured to rotate the central shaft and the bone segment relative to the sleeve and the water nozzles such that when the high-pressure water nozzles are operational, the high-pressure water streams debride the bone segment. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Disclosed are various bioactive grafts and methods of making the same. In one embodiment, bone material is harvested from a donor. The harvested bone material is exposed to a lysing agent, the lysing agent configured to release growth factors and bioactive materials from cellular material of the harvested bone material. The harvested bone material is then rinsed with a rinsing agent. The pH of the harvested bone material is substantially neutralized.

A system for cleaning bone that includes a base unit with a motor, a cleaning head with a cleaning element and a mill head with a mill element. Both the cleaning head and the mill head are designed to be coupled to the base unit. Both the cleaning element and mill element have features that facilitate their coupling to the motor. When the cleaning head is attached to the base unit, a motor in the base unit rotates the cleaning element to remove soft tissue from the bone so as to clean the bone. The mill element is placed on the base unit and the cleaned bone placed in the mill head. The actuation of the base unit motor results in the actuations of the mill element. The actuation of the mill element converts the cleaned bone into bone chips.

There is disclosed a system and methods for debriding soft tissue from bone using a high-pressure water debridement system. One embodiment includes a cylindrical sleeve bounded by endcaps and having a drainage port positioned for effluent drainage. A central shaft is configured to receive a bone segment and is disposed along a longitudinal center of the sleeve and rotatively coupled between the endcaps. At least one high-pressure water nozzle is disposed on each side of the sleeve, each of which is positioned to impact the bone segment with a high-pressure water stream. A rotational actuator is configured to rotate the central shaft and the bone segment relative to the sleeve and the water nozzles such that when the high-pressure water nozzles are operational, the high-pressure water streams debride the bone segment. Other embodiments are also disclosed.