A demineralized bone matrix (DBM) scaffold product comprising a plurality of elongate demineralised bone fibres mechanically interconnected with one another in a regular and repeating pattern.

A fetal-origin decellularized nucleus pulposus (NP) allogenic material to regenerate a host's Intervertebral Disc (IVD). The decellularized NP material, obtained from a vertebrate fetus and characterized by comprising high levels of collagen 12 and 14, is used in a pharmacological composition for the treatment of IVD degeneration. The advance is based on the increased ability of the fetal decellularized NP material to stimulate the host constituent cell's to increase the expression of collagen 2 and aggrecan, promoting intrinsic IVD regeneration. A related method includes preparing the pharmaceutical compositions of fetal decellularized material in the form of fragments/microparticles and hydrogel for an injectable mode of administration. The involved material, pharmaceutical compositions and methods may be advantageously used for the prevention and treatment of IVD degeneration and back pain in human and veterinary settings.

A solubilized notochordal cell matrix powder dissolved in a carrier solvent or formed as a gel is provided. The notochordal cell matrix powder originates from lyophilized and treated porcine nucleus pulposus tissue containing notochordal cells. The powder contains less than 20% of porcine nucleid acids, and the powder contains a substantially unchanged amount of porcine protein content compared to the originating porcine nucleus pulposus tissue. The solubilized notochordal cell matrix powder is capable of stimulating native or stem cells to proliferate and produce a significant increase inglycosaminoglycansand type-II collagen matrix. Embodiments of the invention can be used for the disc regenerative treatment of discogenic back and neck pain in an orthopaedic and/or pharmaceutical setting/approach.

The present invention relates to a tissue-engineered intervertebral disc (IVD) comprising a nucleus pulposus structure comprising a first population of living cells 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 collagen.

A method for instant lumbar spine fusion between two vertebrae in a patient includes establishing under X-ray fluoroscopy the location of the transpedicular notch of the next lower vertebra in caudal direction, making a percutaneous incision to the transpedicular notch, inserting a cannulated guide, drilling a transpedicular approach from the pedicle of the lower vertebra to the anterior part of the vertebral body of the vertebrae above the disc to be treated, inserting a working cannula through the previously drilled approach reaching the intervertebral disk, cleaning and scrapping the intervertebral disk space, inserting transpedicularly at least one intervertebral stabilizing screw, and acting on both intervertebral screws with screwdrivers in order to distract or contract both screws allowing to adjust or correct the intervertebral distance of the disk. The method can be performed on an outpatient basis.

The present disclosure provides improved biomaterials extracted from fibrous meniscal cartilage (FMC). The materials are at least partially decellularized and enzyme treated to remove at least a portion of the elastin and blood vessels found in FMC. Such biomaterials can be employed as tissue scaffolds, such as in transplant procedures.

A method of manufacturing a multilayered cell sheet of neural crest stem cells (NCSCs), includes: (1) isolating and culturing NCSCs from peripheral nerves; (2) embedding the cultured NCSCs in a hydrogel; (3) culturing the hydrogel comprising the NCSCs embedded therein under stressed culture conditions in which a physical support is applied; and (4) culturing the resulting hydrogel of step (3) under non-stressed culture conditions in which a physical support is removed.

The invention provides a method of making a biological disc graft. In one embodiment, the biological disc graft is useful for treating back or neck pain. In one embodiment, the biological disc graft is useful for treating any joint pain. The invention also provides a method of implanting said biological disc graft in a way that is minimally invasive and less dangerous.

A method for instant lumbar spine fusion between two vertebrae in a patient includes establishing under X-ray fluoroscopy the location of the transpedicular notch of the next lower vertebra in caudal direction, making a percutaneous incision to the transpedicular notch, inserting a cannulated guide, drilling a transpedicular approach from the pedicle of the lower vertebra to the anterior part of the vertebral body of the vertebrae above the disc to be treated, inserting a working cannula through the previously drilled approach reaching the intervertebral disk, cleaning and scrapping the intervertebral disk space, inserting transpedicularly at least one intervertebral stabilizing screw, and acting on both intervertebral screws with screwdrivers in order to distract or contract both screws allowing to adjust or correct the intervertebral distance of the disk. The method can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Allograft biomaterials, implants made therefrom, methods of making the biomaterial and implants, methods of promoting cartilage, tissue, bone or wound healing in a mammal by administering the biomaterial or implant to the mammal, and kits that include such biomaterials, implants, or components thereof. For example, the allograft may include viable cells, for example, which were native to intervertebral discs and/or umbilical cords that the allograft was derived from.