Intervertebral Disc Repair, Methods and Devices Therefor

Abstract

The present application discloses compositions, methods and devices for treatment of a degenerative intervertebral disc. A composition can comprise chondrocytes expressing type II collagen. These chondrocytes can be obtained from human cadavers up to about two weeks following death, and can be grown in vitro. The compositions can further comprise one or more biocompatible molecules. Treatment of a degenerative disc can comprise injecting or implanting a composition comprising the chondrocytes into a degenerative disc.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A method for treating intervertebral disc degeneration in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:
 providing a hyaline cartilage composition comprising non-intervertebral cartilage tissue and a first biocompatible molecule;   combining the hyaline cartilage composition with a second composition comprising a second biocompatible molecule to form a third composition;   injecting the third composition into an intervertebral disc of the subject.   
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 36  wherein the first biocompatible molecule is fibrinogen and the second biocompatible molecule is thrombin. 
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 36  wherein the first biocompatible molecule is thrombin and the second biocompatible molecule is fibrinogen. 
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 36  wherein a treatment provider combines the hyaline cartilage composition with the second composition to form the third composition immediately prior to injecting the third composition into the intervertebral disc of the subject. 
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 36  wherein a treatment provider combines the hyaline cartilage composition with the second composition to form the third composition in conjunction with injecting the third composition into the intervertebral disc of the subject. 
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 36  wherein the non-intervertebral cartilage tissue comprises cadaver cartilage. 
     
     
         42 . A method for treating a degenerative intervertebral disc, the method comprising:
 injecting into the intervertebral disc:
 a cartilage composition comprising non-intervertebral cartilage tissue; 
 an amount of a first biocompatible molecule; and 
 an amount of a second biocompatible molecule; 
   wherein when injected into the intervertebral disc, contact between the amount of the first biocompatible molecule and the amount of the second biocompatible molecule is sufficient to form a tissue sealant at the injection site.   
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 42  wherein the first biocompatible molecule comprises thrombin, the second biocompatible molecule comprises fibrinogen, and the tissue sealant comprises fibrin. 
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 42  wherein the first biocompatible molecule comprises fibrinogen, the second biocompatible molecule comprises thrombin, and the tissue sealant comprises fibrin. 
     
     
         45 . A method according to  claim 42  wherein injecting into the intervertebral disc the cartilage composition and the amount of the second biocompatible molecule comprises combining the cartilage composition and the amount of the second biocompatible molecule immediately prior to injecting. 
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 42  wherein injecting into the intervertebral disc the cartilage composition and the amount of the second biocompatible molecule comprises injecting the cartilage composition in conjunction with injecting the amount of the second biocompatible molecule. 
     
     
         47 . A kit for treating a degenerative intervertebral disc, the kit comprising:
 a suspension of non-intervertebral cartilage tissue;   an amount of a first biocompatible molecule packaged separately from the cartilage tissue suspension; and   an amount of a second biocompatible molecule packaged separately from the cartilage tissue suspension and the amount of the first biocompatible molecule.   
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 47  wherein the first biocompatible molecule is fibrinogen and the second biocompatible molecule is thrombin. 
     
     
         49 . A method according to  claim 47  wherein the first biocompatible molecule is thrombin and the second biocompatible molecule is fibrinogen. 
     
     
         50 . A kit for treating a degenerative intervertebral disc, the kit comprising:
 a suspension of non-intervertebral cartilage tissue comprising an amount of a first biocompatible molecule; and   an amount of a second biocompatible molecule packaged separately from the cartilage tissue suspension comprising the first biocompatible molecule.   
     
     
         51 . A method according to  claim 50  wherein the first biocompatible molecule is fibrinogen and the second biocompatible molecule is thrombin. 
     
     
         52 . A method according to  claim 50  wherein the first biocompatible molecule is thrombin and the second biocompatible molecule is fibrinogen. 
     
     
         53 . A method for treating a degenerative intervertebral disc, the method comprising:
 providing the treatment provider with at least two injectable compositions, the injectable compositions comprising:
 a cartilage component comprising non-intervertebral cartilage tissue; 
 an amount of a first biocompatible molecule; and 
 an amount of a second biocompatible molecule packaged separately from the injectable composition comprising the first biocompatible molecule; 
   wherein when injected into the intervertebral disc, contact between the amount of the first biocompatible molecule and the amount of the second biocompatible molecule is sufficient to form a tissue sealant at the injection site.   
     
     
         54 . A method according to  claim 53  wherein the first biocompatible molecule comprises thrombin, the second biocompatible molecule comprises fibrinogen, and the tissue sealant comprises fibrin.