Implants for replacing cartilage, with negatively-charged hydrogel surfaces and flexible matrix reinforcement

A surgical implant for replacing a cartilage segment that covers a hard bone surface in an articulating joint, comprising:

• a polymeric hydrogel component, at least a portion of which is reinforced by a flexible fibrous matrix, and having a smooth and lubricious articulating surface having a negative electrical charge;
• an anchoring surface on a side of the implant opposite from the smooth and lubricious articulating surface, configured to promote ingrowth of tissue following surgical implantation;
• and,
• a non-planar interface layer having multiple perforations, positioned between the articulating surface and the anchoring surface;
• wherein the articulating surface has a negative electrical charge density within a range of about −50 to about −250 millimolar, when measured by sodium equilibration.

A surgical implant for replacing a cartilage segment that covers a hard bone surface in an articulating joint, comprising:

• a polymeric hydrogel component, at least a portion of which is reinforced by a flexible fibrous matrix, and having a smooth and lubricious articulating surface having a negative electrical charge;
• an anchoring surface on a side of the implant opposite from the smooth and lubricious articulating surface, configured to promote ingrowth of tissue following surgical implantation;
• and,
• a non-planar interface layer having multiple perforations, positioned between the articulating surface and the anchoring surface;
• wherein the articulating surface contains sulfur atoms.

A surgical implant for replacing a cartilage segment that covers a hard bone surface in an articulating joint, comprising:

• a polymeric hydrogel component, at least a portion of which is reinforced by a flexible fibrous matrix, and having a smooth and lubricious articulating surface having a negative electrical charge;
• an anchoring surface on a side of the implant opposite from the smooth and lubricious articulating surface, configured to promote ingrowth of tissue following surgical implantation;
• and,
• a non-planar interface layer having multiple perforations, positioned between the articulating surface and the anchoring surface;
• wherein the articulating surface contains halogen atoms bonded to carbon atoms.