Stimulation of cartilage formation using reduced pressure treatment

A system for stimulating formation of new cartilage at a defect in cartilage having a first face and a second face opposing the first face adjacent skin tissue covering the cartilage, the system comprising:

• a fluid source for supplying a therapeutic solution;
• a fluid delivery manifold having a tubular body extending between a proximal end fluidly coupled to the fluid supply and a distal end having at least one aperture for delivering the therapeutic solution to the defect adjacent the first face of the cartilage;
• a reduced pressure source for supplying reduced pressure;
• and
• a vacuum manifold having a tubular body extending between a proximal end fluidly coupled to the reduced pressure source and a distal end having at least one aperture for delivering the reduced pressure through the skin tissue to the defect adjacent the second face of the cartilage to draw the therapeutic solution from the fluid delivery manifold adjacent the first face through the cartilage and the defect.

A method for stimulating formation of cartilage at a defect in a first tissue site having an articulating surface within a joint and an opposing surface adjacent a second tissue site, the method comprising:

• positioning the distal end of a fluid delivery manifold having at least one aperture within the joint adjacent the articulating surface of the first tissue site;
• connecting the proximal end of the fluid delivery manifold to a fluid source containing a therapeutic solution;
• positioning the distal end of a vacuum manifold having at least one aperture within the second tissue site adjacent the opposing surface of the first tissue site;
• connecting the proximal end of the vacuum manifold to a reduced pressure source for delivering reduced pressure to the first tissue site;
• delivering the therapeutic solution to the articulating surface of the first tissue site;
• and
• delivering the reduced pressure through the second tissue site to the first tissue site to draw the therapeutic solution from the fluid delivery manifold through the first tissue site and the defect.

A method for stimulating formation of new cartilage at a defect in cartilage having a first face and a second face opposing the first face adjacent skin tissue covering the cartilage, the method comprising:

• positioning a distal end of a fluid delivery manifold having at least one aperture adjacent the first face of the cartilage;
• connecting a proximal end of the fluid delivery manifold to a fluid source containing a therapeutic solution;
• positioning a distal end of a vacuum manifold having at least one aperture adjacent the second face of the cartilage;
• connecting a proximal end of the vacuum manifold to a reduced pressure source for delivering reduced pressure to the first face of the cartilage;
• delivering the therapeutic solution to the first face of the cartilage and the defect;
• and
• delivering reduced pressure through the skin tissue to the second face of the cartilage to draw the therapeutic solution from the fluid delivery manifold through the cartilage and the defect.