Preparation for repairing cartilage tissue, especially articular cartilage defects

Abstract

Provided herein are preparations for repairing enchondral or osteochondral defects ( 4 ) by implantation, said preparations comprising a cartilage element (A) and optionally a bone element (B) which is connected to the cartilage element (A). The cartilage element (A) can contain cells during the implantation or is populated after the implantation with cells migrating from surrounding tissue. The aim is to better equip the cartilage element (A) of one such preparation for integration into the surrounding tissue and/or for an easy-to-achieve, primary stability. To this end, said cartilage element is not homogeneously embodied but has different characteristics in a peripheral and/or basal region ( 2, 3 ) to those in a central region ( 3 ). Said differing characteristics (A) relate to the structure and/or composition of the matrix used and/or to the cells established in the matrix, and are not used to prevent the migration of cells into the preparation from the surrounding tissue.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An implant for a cartilage defect, comprising:
 an ex vivo prepared porous matrix populated with cells having chondrogenic potential;   a peripheral region of the matrix having an outer surface for positioning adjacent native cartilage tissue surrounding the defect;   a central region of the matrix having an outer surface adjacent an inner surface of the peripheral region;   a basal region having an upper surface adjacent a lower surface of the peripheral region and a lower surface of the central region, the basal region having a lower surface for disposal adjacent bone and between the lower surfaces of the peripheral and central regions and the bone; and   wherein the basal region includes cells of a different phenotypic potential than the cells in the central and/or peripheral region.   
     
     
         20 . The implant of  claim 19 , wherein the cells in the basal region have an osteogenic potential and the cells in the central and/or peripheral region have a chondrogenic potential. 
     
     
         21 . The implant of  claim 19 , wherein the matrix is populated with cells before implantation. 
     
     
         22 . The implant of  claim 21 , wherein the matrix is populated by applying a cell suspension. 
     
     
         23 . The implant of  claim 22 , wherein the cell suspension is applied via aspiration. 
     
     
         24 . The implant of  claim 19 , wherein the matrix is populated with cells in vitro. 
     
     
         25 . The implant of  claim 24 , wherein the cells have chondrogenic potential. 
     
     
         26 . The implant of  claim 24 , wherein the matrix is cultured in vitro prior to implantation. 
     
     
         27 . The implant of  claim 26 , wherein the matrix is cultured for a time period of two days to six weeks. 
     
     
         28 . The implant of  claim 27 , wherein the matrix is cultured for a time period of two weeks to six weeks. 
     
     
         29 . The implant of  claim 19 , wherein the matrix further comprises a bone part. 
     
     
         30 . The implant of  claim 29 , wherein the bone part includes calcium phosphate. 
     
     
         31 . The implant of  claim 30 , wherein the calcium phosphate is porous. 
     
     
         32 . The implant of  claim 29 , wherein the matrix comprises calcium phosphate. 
     
     
         33 . The implant of  claim 29 , wherein the matrix is suitable for repairing an osteochondral defect. 
     
     
         34 . The implant of  claim 19 , wherein the matrix is at least partially biodegradable. 
     
     
         35 . The implant of  claim 34 , wherein the matrix comprises a resorbable polymer. 
     
     
         36 . The implant of  claim 19 , wherein the matrix comprises collagen. 
     
     
         37 . The implant of  claim 19 , wherein the matrix is cross-linked. 
     
     
         38 . The implant of  claim 19 , wherein the matrix is lyophilized.