Method of obtaining viable small tissue particles and use for tissue repair

Abstract

The invention provides a composition including isolated small living tissue particles, a method of making the tissue particles, and a method of using the composition to ameliorate a tissue defect. The tissue particles are composed of cells and their associated extracellular molecules and are sized, in certain embodiments, to be smaller than about 1 mm. Another aspect of the inventive tissue particles is the large percentage of viable cells. In certain embodiments, the tissue particles are made from cartilage and the composition may also contain additives such as adhesives, solutions, and bioactive agents.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A composition comprising:
 micronized cartilage particles, the particles comprising collagen, one or more chondrocyte-associated extracellular biomolecules and one or more bioactive agents.   
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein the collagen is Type II collagen. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein the one or more chondrocyte-associated extracellular biomolecules comprise proteins, polysaccharides, proteoglycans or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein the one or more bioactive agents comprise growth factors, hormones, nutrients or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 39 , wherein the growth factors comprise BMP, IGF, TGF, PDGF or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 40 , wherein the growth factor comprises TGF. 
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein the cartilage particles are derived from at least one of embryonic, fetal, neonatal, juvenile or adult tissue. 
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein the cartilage particles comprise human juvenile cartilage particles. 
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 43 , wherein the cartilage particles comprise isolated allogenic human juvenile cartilage particles. 
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 43 , wherein the cartilage particles are obtained from a juvenile donor less than 12 years of age. 
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 36 , further comprising an adhesive. 
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the adhesive comprises fibrin, hyaluronic acid, fibrin glue, fibrin clot, collagen gel, alginate gel, gelatin-resorcin-formalin adhesive, mussel-based adhesive, dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) based adhesive, chitosan, transglutaminase, poly(amino acid)-based adhesive, cellulose-based adhesive, polysaccharide based adhesive, synthetic acrylate-based adhesives, platelet rich plasma (PRP), platelet poor plasma (PPP), clot of PRP, clot of PPP, solubilized basement membrane (MATRIGEL®), monostearoyl glycerol co-succinate (MGSA), monostearoyl glycerol co-succinate/polyethylene glycol (MGSA/PEG) copolymers, laminin, elastin, proteoglycans or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein the adhesive comprises fibrin. 
     
     
         49 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein h cartilage particles have a particle size of from about 50 μm to about 210 μm. 
     
     
         50 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein the cartilage particles have a particle size less than about 60 μm.