Sulzer Medizinaltechnik Ag

Zimmer Orthobiologics, Inc.

Sulzer Innotec Ag

Zimmer Gmbh

Peter Bittmann

Werner Muller-Glauser

Mats Paulsson

Thomas Thaler

Matthias R Steinwachs

Simona Berardi Vilei

Philipp Wagner

Martin Frenz

Daniel Nadler

Muller-Glauser

Fredy Tanner

Hans Jorg Hauselmann

Roger Pendl

For the repair of a cartilage defect in a human or animal patient use is made of an implant comprising an implant body including a natural cartilage matrix and being coated with cells having a chondrogenic potential. These cells are produced by in vitro cell proliferation starting from chondrocytes isolated from a cartilage biopsy. The chondrocytes which are de-differentiated during cell proliferation are re-differentiated during tissue culturing and are in particular suitable for producing and maintaining the cartilage matrix of the implant body. The cells adhering to the surface of the implant body are preferably also chondrocytes being de-differentiated by cell proliferation, but not re-differentiated, and are therefore particularly suitable for integrating the implant in the defect. Due to the cells adhering to the surface of the implant body, the implant is successfully integrated in the viable tissue surrounding the defect.

Implant for the repair of a cartilage defect and method for manufacturing the implant

The invention relates to preparations which are suitable for repairing enchondral or osteochondral defects () by means of implantation, said preparations comprising a cartilage element (A) and optionally a bone element (B) which is connected to the cartilage element (A). The cartilage element (A) can already contain cells during the implantation or is populated after the implantation with cells migrating from surrounding tissue. The aim of the invention is to better equip the cartilage element (A) of one such preparation for integration into the surrounding tissue and/or for an easy-to-achieve, primary stability. To this end, said cartilage element is not homogeneously embodied but has different characteristics in a peripheral and/or basal region () to those in a central region (). Said differing characteristics (A) relate to the structure and/or composition of the matrix used and/or to the cells established in the matrix, and are in no way used to prevent the migration of cells into the preparation from the surrounding tissue.

Preparation for repairing cartilage tissue, especially articular cartilage defects

In the method of a photo-oxidative treatment of tissue containing collagen tissue, the tissue is pre-treated with an aqueous conditioning solution prior to an irradiation with light. In this pre-treatment the tissue permeable to the solution is loaded with a dye contained in the solution, in particular with methylene blue. This dye, activated by light, catalyzes photo-oxidative reactions. In accordance with the invention a substance is added to the conditioning solution, the refractive index of which is greater than that of water. As a result of this additive, the tissue containing collagen assumes a greater transparency for light during the pre-treatment.

Method of photo-oxidative treatment of tissues containing collagen

This invention provides an implant (prosthesis) for the replacement of defective biological tissue part. In particular, the implants of this invention are well suited for the replacement of cartilage, more preferably for the replacement of articular cartilage. In one embodiment, the implants comprise a micromatrix constructed from an upper boundary layer and a lower boundary layer where the upper and said lower boundary layers are connected via an intermediate layer with fibers. The implant also includes a nanomatrix situated within the intermediate layer. The nanomatrix contains elements of a size on the order of magnitude of nanometers. The intermediate layer accommodates the nanomatrix such that, for a growing inner pressure the boundary layers are mutually held at a preset distance from one another.

Areal implant

The method of comminution of soft tissue (4) from animal or human bodies is performed by a mechanism (10) which exhibits a supply vessel (1), cutter member (2) and collector (3) and forms a closure impermeable to germs against the environment The tissue is removed from the body in a sterile environment, and filled into the supply vessel of the opened mechanism. After the supply vessel has been assembled together with the clutter member and the collector into a mechanism ready for operation, by the employment of pressure-exerting means, preferably compressed gas (11'), the tissue is delivered from the supply vessel into the collector, the tissue being comminuted at the same time by the cutter member.

Method of comminuting soft tissue as well as means of performing the

The container for packing hollow endoprostheses (8) comprises two germ-proof wrappings (1, 2). In accordance with the invention the inner wrapping (1) consists of a water-tight wall (10, 11) and various connection points (40, 50, 60). At least two of the connection points (40) are provided as access into the cavity of the prosthesis (8) and one is provided as an outlet (50) for liquids for treating the prosthesis. The outer wrapping (2) comprises through-pieces (42, 52, 62), which are associated with the connection points of the inner wrapping. The two wrappings are permeable to gas at least some regions. In accordance with the invention the container has a second application apart from its protective function: for example, in the case of a hybrid prosthesis for vascular replacement, to perform the charging of the prosthesis with the patient's own endothelial cells in the container.

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Zurich, Switzerland

Peter Bittmann