Patent ID: 8758437

Claim:
A device for replacement or regeneration of articular tissue comprising polymeric fibers degrading at between nine and twelve months following implantation, and polymeric fibers not degrading following implantation in less than one year, wherein bundles of the polymeric fibers are braided into a three-dimensional braided scaffold to form two end sections for attachment of the device at a site of implantation and at least one middle section between the end sections, wherein the polymer of the middle section degrades more rapidly or the middle section is more porous than the end sections, wherein the device has a peak load strength range from 500 to 3200 N, with an initial stiffness range of 200 to 700 N/mm, wherein the number of fibers per bundle is in the range of 10 to 60 and the number of bundles per braid is in the range of 16 to 64, wherein the polymeric braid of the middle section of the device has a porosity between 50 and 70%, and pores between 177 μm and 250 μm in diameter, and wherein the device provides articular tissue function at the site of implantation as tissue integrates into the device.