Native soft tissue matrix for therapeutic applications

Abstract

A product for implantation within a soft tissue site of the human or animal body comprises a matrix of pulverized or morselized substantially non-mineralized native soft tissue (NSTM) of the human or animal body, provided in a therapeutic amount to induce growth of native tissue or organs and healing at the tissue site. The NSTM is composed of at least one soft tissue selected from the group consisting of cartilage, meniscus, intervertebral disc, ligament, tendon, muscle, fascia, periosteum, pericardium, perichondrium, skin, nerve, blood vessels, and heart valves or from organs such as bladder, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, thyroid, or thymus. Preferably, the NSTM is composed of a soft tissue of the same type of tissue native to the repair site.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product for introduction within a soft tissue site of the human body, comprising a suspension of a native soft tissue matrix (NSTM) consisting of a morselized or pulverized substantially non-mineralized native soft tissue of the human body, said NSTM suspended in a volume of a biologically compatible fluid such that the concentration of the NSTM is 10-20% w/v, wherein the suspension is operable to promote cellular growth within and through the NSTM. 
     
     
         2 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein said biologically compatible fluid is selected from the group consisting of saline solution, a pharmaceutical solution, synovial fluid, blood serum, blood plasma, a chondrocyte suspension, a mesenchymal cell (MSC) suspension, and an adipose-derived adult stem (ADAS) cell suspension. 
     
     
         3 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein said biologically compatible fluid is selected from the group consisting of collagen, gelatin, serum, fibrin, hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans and elastin. 
     
     
         4 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein said NSTM is composed of at least one soft tissue selected from the group consisting of cartilage, meniscus, intervertebral disc, ligament, tendon, muscle, fascia, periosteum, perichondrium, skin, nerve, blood vessels and heart valves. 
     
     
         5 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein said NSTM is composed of at least one soft tissue selected from the group consisting of organs such as kidney, liver, pancreas, thyroid, or thymus. 
     
     
         6 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein said NSTM is composed of a soft tissue of the same type of tissue at the soft tissue site. 
     
     
         7 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein said NSTM includes a combination of soft tissues obtained from multiple soft tissue sites. 
     
     
         8 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the soft tissue of the NSTM is devitalized. 
     
     
         9 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the soft tissue of said NSTM is morselized or pulverized to a particle size in the range of 1-100 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The product of  claim 1 , further comprising cells combined with the NSTM. 
     
     
         11 . The product of  claim 10 , wherein said cells are selected from the group consisting of autologous, allogeneic or xenogeneic cells. 
     
     
         12 . The product of  claim 10 , wherein said cells are differentiated, phenotype-specific cells, committed progenitor cells, or toti-, pluri- or multi-potential stem cells. 
     
     
         13 . The product of  claim 1 , further comprising bioactive molecules combined with said NSTM. 
     
     
         14 . The product of  claim 13 , wherein said bioactive molecules include growth factors selected from the group consisting of TGF-β, IGF, bFGF, PDGF, VEGF and BMP. 
     
     
         15 . The product of  claim 13 , wherein said bioactive molecules are selected from DNA and vectors capable of delivering therapeutic genes to the tissue site. 
     
     
         16 . A product for introduction within a soft tissue site of the human body, comprising a native soft tissue matrix (NSTM) consisting of a morselized or pulverized substantially non-mineralized native soft tissue of the human body combined with a moldable biologic material, wherein the combination is operable to promote cellular growth within and through the NSTM. 
     
     
         17 . The product of  claim 16 , wherein said moldable biologic material includes one or more of the following constituents: collagen, gelatin, fibrin, hyaluronic acid and elastin gels. 
     
     
         18 . The product of  claim 16 , wherein said moldable biologic material is selected from the group consisting of alginate, agarose and chitosan gels. 
     
     
         19 . The product of  claim 16 , wherein said moldable biologic material is bioresorbable or biodegradable. 
     
     
         20 . The product of  claim 16 , wherein the soft tissue of the NSTM is devitalized.