Cartilage repair apparatus and method

Abstract

An orthopaedic device for repairing and regenerating cartilage includes a plug configured to be positioned in a hole formed in the cartilage and an anchor configured to support the plug. One or both of the plug and the anchor may be formed from naturally occurring extracellular matrix such as small intestine submucosa. A method for repairing and regenerating cartilage is also disclosed.

1 . A device for repairing a diseased or damaged portion of articular cartilage on a bone of a joint, the cartilage having been prepared by forming an opening therein to remove the diseased or damaged portion, the device comprising:
 a plug configured to be positioned in the opening formed in the cartilage, the plug defining a body of unseeded naturally occurring extracellular matrix, and   an anchor configured to position and hold the plug in the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the naturally occurring extracellular matrix comprises comminuted naturally occurring extracellular matrix. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the comminuted naturally occurring extracellular matrix is lyophilized. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the naturally occurring extracellular matrix comprises tissue selected from the group consisting of: vertebrate small intestine submucosa; vertebrate liver basement membrane; vertebrate bladder submucosa; vertebrate stomach submucosa; vertebrate alimentary tissue; vertebrate respiratory tissue; and vertebrate genital tissue. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the naturally occurring extracellular matrix comprises tissue selected from the group consisting of: bovine tissue; ovine tissue; and porcine tissue. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is formed of naturally occurring extracellular matrix cured and shaped to fasten into a subchondral portion of the bone. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the anchor comprises (i) a head portion configured to support the plug, and (ii) a body portion extending from the head portion to fasten into the subchondral portion of the bone. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover disposed over at least part of an articular surface of the plug, wherein the cover comprises one or more sheets of naturally occurring extracellular matrix. 
     
     
         9 . A device for repairing a diseased or damaged portion of articular cartilage on a bone of a joint, the cartilage having been prepared by forming an opening therein to remove the diseased or damaged portion, the device comprising:
 a plug configured to be positioned in the opening formed in the cartilage, the plug defining a body of naturally occurring extracellular matrix seeded with at least one of the following: a bioactive agent, a biologically derived substance, cells, a biological lubricant, a biocompatible polymer and a biocompatible inorganic material, and   an anchor configured to position and hold the plug in the opening.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the naturally occurring extracellular matrix comprises comminuted naturally occurring extracellular matrix. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the comminuted naturally occurring extracellular matrix is lyophilized. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the naturally occurring extracellular matrix comprises tissue selected from the group consisting of: vertebrate small intestine submucosa; vertebrate liver basement membrane; vertebrate bladder submucosa; vertebrate stomach submucosa; vertebrate alimentary tissue; vertebrate respiratory tissue; and vertebrate genital tissue. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the naturally occurring extracellular matrix comprises tissue selected from the group consisting of: bovine tissue; ovine tissue; and porcine tissue. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the anchor is formed of naturally occurring extracellular matrix cured and shaped to fasten into a subchondral portion of the bone. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the anchor comprises (i) a head portion configured to support the plug, and (ii) a body portion extending from the head portion to fasten into the subchondral portion of the bone. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a cover disposed over at least part of an articular surface of the plug, wherein the cover comprises one or more sheets of naturally occurring extracellular matrix. 
     
     
         17 . A device for repairing a diseased or damaged portion of articular cartilage on a bone of a joint, the cartilage having been prepared by forming an opening therein to remove the diseased or damaged portion, the device comprising:
 a plug configured to be positioned in the opening formed in the cartilage, wherein (i) the plug comprises naturally occurring extracellular matrix, and (ii) the plug has an outer articular surface and one or more side surfaces extending therefrom,   an anchor configured to position and hold the plug in the opening, and   a cover disposed over at least part of the articular surface of the plug, wherein the cover comprises one or more sheets of naturally occurring extracellular matrix.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the naturally occurring extracellular matrix comprises comminuted naturally occurring extracellular matrix. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the comminuted naturally occurring extracellular matrix is lyophilized. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the naturally occurring extracellular matrix comprises tissue selected from the group consisting of: vertebrate small intestine submucosa; vertebrate liver basement membrane; vertebrate bladder submucosa; vertebrate stomach submucosa; vertebrate alimentary tissue; vertebrate respiratory tissue; and vertebrate genital tissue. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the naturally occurring extracellular matrix comprises tissue selected from the group consisting of: bovine tissue; ovine tissue; and porcine tissue. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the anchor is formed of naturally occurring extracellular matrix cured and shaped to fasten into a subchondral portion of the bone. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the anchor comprises (i) a head portion configured to support the plug, and (ii) a body portion extending from the head portion to fasten into the subchondral portion of the bone.