Methods and Compositions for Articular Repair

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for producing articular repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. In particular, methods for providing articular repair systems. Also provided are articular surface repair systems designed to replace a selected area cartilage, for example, and surgical tools for repairing articular surfaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of designing or selecting an articular implant for repairing a joint of a patient, the articular implant having an inner surface for facing bone and an outer surface for facing a cavity of a joint, the method including:
 obtaining image data of the joint of the patient, the image data including shape information of the articular surface of the joint;
 deriving a shape of the articular surface from the image data; 
   designing or selecting the articular implant with the outer surface of the implant matching the derived shape;
 wherein the inner surface having at least a portion configured to abut cut bone.