Flexible tissue matrix and methods for joint repair
AssigneeIsto Technologies II, LLC
InventorsMitchell S. Seyedin, Anthony J. Ward, Matthew Matava
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Abstract
A synthetic, flexible tissue matrix and methods for repairing hyaline cartilage defects in a joint using the flexible tissue matrix are described. The flexible tissue matrix includes a high molecular weight polycaprolactone polymer entangled with a polysaccharide such as hyaluronic acid. In the methods, autologous bone mesenchymal stem cells are introduced to a joint by a microfracturing technique, and a membrane made of the flexible matrix is applied to the joint. Cartilage which forms in the joint is hyaline cartilage rather than fibrocartilage.
Claims32
A tissue matrix for supporting repair of biological tissues comprising total polymers comprising a caprolactone polymer and at least one additional polyester polymer other than a caprolactone polymer which is not copolymerized with the caprolactone polymer, wherein the total polymers are entangled with a polysaccharide following combination of the total polymers and the polysaccharide in a dual solvent emulsion, said dual solvent emulsion being formed by the steps of:
- i. dissolving the total polymers in an organic solvent;
- ii. dissolving the polysaccharide in an aqueous solvent;
- iii. blending the total polymers in the organic solvent with the polysaccharide in an aqueous solvent to form the dual solvent emulsion;
- and
- iv. removing the organic solvent and aqueous solvent from the emulsion to form a flexible matrix comprising the total polymer molecules entangled with polysaccharide polymer molecules;
- wherein the weight ratio of the polyester polymer to the caprolactone polymer ranges from about 1:1 to about 4:1.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.