Abstract: Provided are procedures and instruments for preparing and transplanting osteochondral allograft plugs to a host bone to repair an articular cartilage defect. An allograft bone plug having a cartilage plate and cancellous bone tissue attached thereto is removed from a donor bone. The allograft plug is further shaped by removing or cutting away cancellous bone tissue to form a cancellous stalk extending from the cartilage plate. The formed cancellous stalk can have any suitable shape including cylindrical, conical, and rectilinear. At the recipient site of the host bone, a cutout is formed corresponding in shape to the allograft plug. The allograft plug is inserted into the cutout such that the cancellous stalk is retained in the host bone and the cartilage plate aligns with the condyle surface of the host bone. Aspects of the invention may also be applicable to preparing and transplanting osteochondral autograft plugs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for regenerating articular cartilage in an animal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a non-demineralized particulate articular cartilage having a distribution of particle sizes within the range of from about 60 microns to about 500 microns.

Abstract: Provided are procedures and instruments for preparing and transplanting osteochondral allograft plugs to a host bone to repair an articular cartilage defect. An allograft bone plug having a cartilage plate and cancellous bone tissue attached thereto is removed from a donor bone. The allograft plug is further shaped by removing or cutting away cancellous bone tissue to form a cancellous stalk extending from the cartilage plate. The formed cancellous stalk can have any suitable shape including cylindrical, conical, and rectilnear. At the recipient site of the host bone, a cutout is formed corresponding in shape to the allograft plug. The allograft plug is inserted into the cutout such that the cancellous stalk is retained in the host bone and the cartilage plate aligns with the condyle surface of the host bone. Aspects of the invention may also be applicable to preparing and transplanting osteochondral autograft plugs.

Abstract: An implantable bone-containing composition and a method for making same are disclosed. The compositions includes sterilized bone, which has been exposed to a dose of radiation in excess of about 45 kGy in the absence of radio-protective agents. The sterilized bone has higher osteogenic capacity than bone sterilized at the conventional dose of between 15 kGy and 35 kGy, approaching or surpassing the osteogenic capacity of the bone prior to irradiation.

Abstract: Particulate cartilage compositions for stimulating chondrogenesis and producing cartilage regeneration and processes for their preparation are disclosed. Methods for regenerating articular cartilage are also disclosed.

Abstract: A particulate bone of defined sizes which has a unique property of direct bone osteoinduction without going through endochondral ossification stage is disclosed. The bone is not subjected to chemical extraction or decalcification. This allows for the retention of all physiologically active components of native bone. The invention hinges on the newly discovered ability of bone particles of defined sizes to exert osteoinduction by a pathway superior to and distinct from demineralized bone matrix and similar preparations.