Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Michael G Dunn

Charles J Gatt

Eric A Balint

Jay M Patel

Salim A Ghodbane

Charles Gatt, Jr

Aaron R Merriam

William Pfaff

Artificial meniscal scaffolds characterized by a composite of circumferential polymer fiber network and orthogonal polymer fiber network embedded in an arcuate bioresorbable matrix comprised of collagen and hyaluronic acid. The orthogonal polymer fiber network prevents separation of the circumferential polymer fiber networks. The polymer fiber networks convert axial compressive forces on the scaffolds to tensile loads on the circumferential polymer fibers. The composite scaffold can be anchored to bone by novel anchoring components that protect the polymer fibers and ensure immediate securement of the artificial meniscal scaffold to bone.

Composite implant for total meniscus reconstruction

A method for forming a scaffold for use in fabricating a soft tissue implant, comprising: receiving, by a processor, soft tissue data corresponding to dimensions for a soft tissue, and a first and second weighting factor selected based on the dimensions of the soft tissue; transforming, by the processor, the soft tissue data, based on the first and second weighting factors, into a plurality of pin coordinates in a multi-dimensional space defining a shape of the scaffold for use in fabricating the soft tissue implant; and providing, by the processor, instructions to form the scaffold using weaving operations based on the pin coordinates.

System and methods of manufacturing a lateral meniscus implant

Systems () and methods () for fabricating a soft tissue implant (). The methods generally involve: receiving implant data representative of the target implant; determining a planned weaving path for forming the soft tissue implant; and communicating the planned weaving path to an output device.

System and method for making personalized fibrocartilage implants

A resorbable scaffold for partial meniscus regeneration. The resorbable scaffold includes a polymer filament network and a matrix in the polymer filament network. The polymer filament network includes alternating layers of circumferentially-oriented filaments and radially-oriented filaments, and has a three-dimensional shape and geometry which is substantially the same as a three-dimensional shape and geometry of the resorbable scaffold.

Polymer filament reinforced scaffold for partial meniscus regeneration

Fibrocartilage implants characterized by circumferential fiber networks embedded in arcuate or torroidal scaffolds with orthogonal fiber networks embedded therein to prevent separation of the circumferential fiber networks. The fiber networks convert axial compressive forces on the scaffolds to tensile loads on the circumferential fibers. Artificial knee meniscus and vertebral disc implants are disclosed, as well as articular disc implants for joints such as the temporomandibular joint and wrist. Methods for implanting the fibrocartilage devices are also disclosed.

Tissue engineered fibrocartilage replacement

A meniscus implant including a c-shaped scaffold having an arcuate middle section extending between an anterior end and a posterior end. A reinforcing network of fibers independent from the scaffold is embedded therein. Fibers of said network fibers exit each end of the scaffold to form respective anterior and posterior attachment segments which extend parallel to a central axis of the scaffold. The network of fibers is configured to convert an axial compressive force on said scaffold to tensile loads on said attachment points.

Growing community of inventors

Manalapan, NJ, United States of America

Michael G Dunn