Method and apparatus for resurfacing an articular surface

Abstract

A biocompatible, bioresorbable tissue repair implant or scaffold device is provided for use in repairing a variety of cartilage tissue injuries, and particularly for resurfacing and/or repairing damaged or diseased cartilage. The repair procedures may be conducted with tissue repair implants that contain a biological component that assists in delaying or arresting the progression of degenerative joint diseases and in enhancing tissue healing or repair. The biocompatible, bioresorbable tissue repair implants include a scaffold and particles of viable tissue derived from cartilage tissue, such that the tissue and the scaffold become associated. The particles of living tissue contain one or more viable cells that can migrate from the tissue and populate the scaffold.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.