Patent ID: 7488348
Filing Date: 2009-02-10
Classification: A61F,A61L

Abstract:
1. In combination, minced cartilage putty comprising milled cartilage pieces mixed in a biocompatible carrier and a sterile, cylindrically-shaped allograft bone plug, said plug including a subchondral bone portion, which has a diameter selected to form an interference fit against a subchondral bone layer exposed as a result of a bore formed in a defect area in articular cartilage of a host, and an integral overlying cartilage cap which has been treated to remove cellular debris, chondrocytes and proteoglycans, said cap having a first cap portion, which is located proximal to said subchondral bone portion of said plug, said first cap portion having a diameter the same as that of said subchondral bone portion of said plug, and a second cap portion, which is located remote from said subchondral bone portion of said plug and which has a diameter less than that of said subchondral bone portion of said plug, said first and second cap portions being separated by an annular step which forms a ring-shaped gap positionable alongside a cartilage layer exposed as a result of a bore formed in a defect area in articular cartilage of a host, said gap being sized and shaped so as to receive said minced cartilage putty for promoting cartilage cell growth in said gap and for enhancing tissue integration between said plug and host tissue, when said plug is inserted into a bore formed in a defect area in articular cartilage of a host.