Abstract: A prosthetic, resorbable articular cartilage and methods of its fabrication and insertion are disclosed. The prosthetic articular cartilage, when implanted in a humanoid joint, acts as a resorbable scaffold for ingrowth of native articular chondrocytes and supports natural articulating joint forces. The prosthetic articular cartilage is a dry, porous, volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers. These fibers include a natural polymer or analogs thereof, at least a portion of which may be crosslinked. The matrix is adapted to have an in vivo outer surface contour substantially the same as that of natural articular cartilage in an articulating joint, and has a pore size in the approximate range of about 100 microns to about 400 microns.

Abstract: A prosthetic intervertebral disc is disclosed which can be implanted in the human skeleton, and which can act as a scaffold for regrowth of intervertebral disc material. The disc includes a dry, porous, volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers which may be interspersed with glyscosaminoglycan molecules. The matrix is adapted to have in vivo an outer surface contour substantially the same as that of a natural intervertebral disc, whereby the matrix establishes an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of intervertebral fibrochondrocytes. Cross-links may be provided by a portion of the GAG molecules.

Abstract: A prosthetic, resorbable meniscus and method of its fabrication are disclosed. The prosthetic meniscus can be implanted in a human knee where it can act as a scaffold for regrowth of native meniscal tissues. The meniscus comprises a dry, porous, matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers, at least a portion of which may be crosslinked. The fibers include natural polymers or analogs or mixtures thereof. The matrix is adapted to have in vivo an outer surface contour substantially the same as that of a natural meniscus. The matrix has pore size in the approximate range of greater than 50 microns to less than about 500 microns. With this configuration, the matrix establishes an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of meniscal fibrochondrocytes.

Abstract: A prosthetic, resorbable meniscus and method of its fabrication are disclosed. The prosthetic meniscus can be implanted in a human knee where it can act as a scaffold for regrowth of native meniscal tissues. The meniscus comprises a dry, porous, matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers, at least a portion of which may be crosslinked. The fibers include natural polymers or analogs or mixtures thereof. The matrix is adapted to have in vivo an outer surface contour substantially the same as that of a natural meniscus. The matrix has pore size in the approximate range of greater than 50 microns to less than about 500 microns. With this configuration, the matrix establishes an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of meniscal fibrochondrocytes.

Abstract: A prosthetic intervertebral disc is disclosed which can be implanted in the human skeleton, and which can act as a scaffold for regrowth of intervertebral disc material. The disc includes a dry, porous, volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers which may be interspersed with glyscosaminoglycan molecules. The matrix is adapted to have in vivo an outer surface contour substantially the same as that of a natural intervertebral disc, whereby said matrix establishes an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of intervertebral fibrochondrocytes. Cross-links may be provided by a portion of the GAG molecules.

Abstract: A prosthetic, resorbable meniscus and method of its fabrication are disclosed. The prosthetic meniscus can be implanted in a human knee where it can act as a scaffold for regrowth of native meniscal tissues. The meniscus comprises a dry, porous, matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers, at least a portion of which may be crosslinked. The fibers include natural polymers or analogs or mixtures thereof. The matrix is adapted to have in vivo an outer surface contour substantially the same as that of a natural meniscus. The matrix has pore size in the approximate range of greater than 50 microns to less than about 500 microns. With this configuration, the matrix establishes an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of meniscal fibrochondrocytes.