Implantation tool and protocol for optimized solid substrates promoting cell and tissue growth

A method for implantation of a solid coralline-based substrate for promoting cell or tissue growth for the treatment of osteoarthritis, bone disorders, osteochondral defects, or cartilage lesions in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising:

• selecting and preparing a solid coralline-based substrate for promoting cell or tissue growth for stable implantation in a region traversing bone and cartilage in a subject, which solid coralline-based substrate has a length and width or that fits within the boundaries of the implantation site and is further characterized by a height such that when a first terminus of said solid coralline-based substrate is implanted within bone in a site for implantation, a second terminus of said solid coralline-based substrate is at a height at least 2 mm less than an articular cartilage layer surface or proximal to a tide mark region in said implantation site, wherein said solid coralline-based substrate comprises a coral or coral derivative;
• and
• implanting said selected and prepared solid coralline-based substrate within a site for implantation to span a basal to apical long axis of said site for implantation, wherein a first terminus of said implant is implanted within bone at the basal surface and a second terminus is oriented apically such that said second terminus is at a height at least 2 mm less than an articular cartilage layer surface or is proximal to a tide mark region in said implantation site such that a void is formed between an apical surface of said substrate and an articular cartilage layer to permit cell or tissue growth within the void subsequent to implanting said selected and prepared solid coralline-based substrate within the site;
• wherein said site of implantation has been prepared for insertion of said solid coralline-based substrate by creating a void of desired dimensions in terms of depth, length and width, and the side walls of the site for implantation have been created to contain a taper, and cartilage tissue within said site for implantation has been removed with the aid of a cartilage cutter, comprising:
• an elongated handle;
• a head region connected to said elongated handle, said head region further comprising an apical portion which connects with said elongated handle;
• a basal portion which inserts within an implantation site, the basal portion having a basal surface that is continuous and substantially flat;
• a first and second angled side regions, which taper from said apical portion toward said basal portion;
• wherein said first angled side region further comprises:
• a tapered blade surface,
• a supporting tapered angled surface positioned opposingly to said tapered blade surface;
• and
• a hollowed region located therebetween, whereby tissue in contact with said tapered blade surface cut thereby is of a thickness accommodating insertion within said hollowed region.