This invention relates to a method for generating, repairing and/or maintaining connective tissue in a subject. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for generating, repairing and/or maintaining cartilage tissue in a subject. The present invention also relates to a method of treating and/or preventing a disease in a subject arising from degradation and inflammation of connective tissue.

This invention relates to a method for generating, repairing and/or maintaining connective tissue in a subject. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for generating, repairing and/or maintaining cartilage tissue in a subject. The present invention also relates to a method of treating and/or preventing a disease in a subject arising from degradation and inflammation of connective tissue.

The present invention relates to a tissue-engineered intervertebral disc (IVD) suitable for total disc replacement in a mammal and methods of fabrication. The IVD comprises a nucleus pulposus structure comprising a first population of living cells that secrete a hydrophilic protein and an annulus fibrosis structure surrounding and in contact with the nucleus pulposus structure, the annulus fibrosis structure comprising a second population of living cells and type I collagen. The collagen fibrils in the annulus fibrosis structure are circumferentially aligned around the nucleus pulposus region due to cell-mediated contraction in the annulus fibrosis structure. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating tissue-engineered intervertebral discs.

Methods and apparatus for treating disc herniation provide a conformable device which assumes a first shape associated with insertion and a second shape or expanded shape to occlude the defect which typically follows partial discectomy. The device may take different forms according to the invention, including patches size to cover the defect or plugs adapted to fill the defect. In a preferred embodiment, however, the device is a gel or other liquid or semi-liquid which solidifies to occlude the defect from within the body of the disc itself. In another preferred embodiment, a mesh screen is collapsed into an elongated form for the purposes of insertion, thereby minimizing the size of the requisite incision while avoiding delicate surrounding nerves. Such a configuration also permits the use of instrumentation to install the device, including, for example, a hollow tube or sheath adapted to hold the collapsed screen, and a push rod to expel the collapsed device out of the sheath for use in occluding the disc defect. A device according to the invention may further include one or more anchors to assist in permanently affixing the device with respect to the defect.

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.

Implantable devices for spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury are described. The implants include a three-dimensional printed structure having stem cells disposed therein. Also disclosed are methods of treating neuronal injuries with the disclosed implants.

The present invention relates to a method of providing a graft scaffold for cartilage repair, particularly in a human patient. The method of the invention comprising the steps of providing particles and/or fibres; providing an aqueous solution of a gelling polysaccharide; providing mammalian cells; mixing said particles and/or fibres, said aqueous solution of a gelling polysaccharide and said mammalian cells to obtain a printing mix; and depositing said printing mix in a three-dimensional form. The invention further relates to graft scaffolds and grafts obtained by the method of the invention.

Implantable devices for spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury are described. The implants include a three-dimensional printed structure having stem cells disposed therein. Also disclosed are methods of treating neuronal injuries with the disclosed implants.

A biologic composition responsive to inflammation has an allograft scaffold matrix for injection or implantation. The allograft scaffold matrix has donor quiescent and/or senescent cells. The donor quiescent and/or senescent cells react in response to signaling of inflammation from host cells or matrix. The reaction to signaling causes the donor quiescent and/or senescent cells to secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines and secrete exosomes to initiate regeneration of the area of the inflammation. The biologic composition further has a cryoprotectant. The cryoprotectant is a polyampholyte, preferably the polyampholyte is an -poly-L-lysine. The cryoprotectant is not DMSO or glycerol based. The cryoprotectant is suitable for direct implantation without washing from the allograft scaffold matrix in either a diluted or non-diluted state.

This invention relates to a method for repair and reconstitution of invertebral discs in a subject which involves administration of STRO-1.sup.+ multipotent cells. The method of the invention is useful in the treatment of spinal conditions characterized by degeneration of the invertebral disc.