Abstract: A product for implantation within a soft tissue site of the human or animal body comprises a matrix of pulverized or morselized substantially non-mineralized native soft tissue (NSTM) of the human or animal body, provided in a therapeutic amount to induce growth of native tissue or organs and healing at the tissue site. The NSTM is composed of at least one soft tissue selected from the group consisting of cartilage, meniscus, intervertebral disc, ligament, tendon, muscle, fascia, periosteum, pericardium, perichondrium, skin, nerve, blood vessels, and heart valves or from organs such as bladder, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, thyroid, or thymus. Preferably, the NSTM is composed of a soft tissue of the same type of tissue native to the repair site.

Abstract: A method is used for preparing a product for use in repairing a lesion or defect at a tissue site in a human or animal patient body. The method includes obtaining tissue from a donor human or animal body and freezing the obtained tissue. The method further includes pulverizing the frozen tissue and suspending the pulverized tissue in a fluid. The method further includes homogenizing the tissue suspension and precipitating tissue particles from the homogenized tissue suspension. The method further includes re-suspending the precipitated tissue particles and lyophilizing the tissue re-suspension to provide the product to be used in repairing the lesion or defect.

Abstract: A scaffold is provided which facilitates integration of both bone and cartilage at an osteochondral lesion, thereby acting as a tissue engineered interface or tissue engineered junction between the two different tissues. The method and systems for engineering this interface may be acellular or may be loaded with cells prior to use.

Abstract: A method has been developed for repairing a cartilage lesion. The method includes bringing a three-dimensional porous substrate into direct contact with prepared bone. The three-dimensional porous substrate is fixedly coupled to a three-dimensional scaffold such that the substrate supports the scaffold. The three-dimensional porous substrate comprises at least three layers of woven fibers. The substrate is configured to be inserted into bone tissue including cartilage lesions such that the substrate and the scaffold replace the bone tissue including the cartilage lesions. The substrate and scaffold are further configured such that after the substrate and the scaffold have replaced the bone tissue including the cartilage lesions, the substrate and scaffold promote growth and integration of new bone tissue into the implant.

Abstract: A method has been developed for repairing a cartilage lesion. The method includes bringing a three-dimensional porous substrate into direct contact with prepared bone. The three-dimensional porous substrate is fixedly coupled to a three-dimensional scaffold such that the substrate supports the scaffold. The three-dimensional porous substrate comprises at least three layers of woven fibers. The substrate is configured to be inserted into bone tissue including cartilage lesions such that the substrate and the scaffold replace the bone tissue including the cartilage lesions. The substrate and scaffold are further configured such that after the substrate and the scaffold have replaced the bone tissue including the cartilage lesions, the substrate and scaffold promote growth and integration of new bone tissue into the implant.

Abstract: An implant is configured for repair and regeneration of cartilage lesions. The implant includes a three-dimensional woven textile scaffold and a three-dimensional rigid, porous substrate. The scaffold is bonded to the substrate such that the substrate supports the scaffold. The substrate is configured to be inserted into bone tissue including cartilage lesions such that the substrate and the scaffold replace the bone tissue including the cartilage lesions. The substrate and scaffold are further configured such that after the substrate and the scaffold have replaced the bone tissue including the cartilage lesions, the substrate and scaffold promote growth and integration of new bone tissue into the implant.

Abstract: An implant is configured for repair and regeneration of cartilage lesions. The implant includes a three-dimensional woven textile scaffold and a three-dimensional rigid, porous substrate. The scaffold is bonded to the substrate such that the substrate supports the scaffold. The substrate is configured to be inserted into bone tissue including cartilage lesions such that the substrate and the scaffold replace the bone tissue including the cartilage lesions. The substrate and scaffold are further configured such that after the substrate and the scaffold have replaced the bone tissue including the cartilage lesions, the substrate and scaffold promote growth and integration of new bone tissue into the implant.

Abstract: A composition for use in the treatment of osteoarthritis in a subject includes an adipose-derived stem cell and an effective amount of a biologically active agent. The composition also includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. The biologically activate agent is a BMP-6 polypeptide or a functional fragment thereof. The treatment includes exposing the ADS cell to an effective amount of said biologically active agent. The effective amount of the biologically active agent is sufficient to induce the adipose-derived stem cell to differentiate into a cell capable of treating the osteoarthritis in the subject upon administration of the composition to the subject.

Abstract: A method is used for preparing a product for use in repairing a lesion or defect at a tissue site in a human or animal patient body. The method includes obtaining tissue from a donor human or animal body and freezing the obtained tissue. The method further includes pulverizing the frozen tissue and suspending the pulverized tissue in a fluid. The method further includes homogenizing the tissue suspension and precipitating tissue particles from the homogenized tissue suspension. The method further includes re-suspending the precipitated tissue particles and lyophilizing the tissue re-suspension to provide the product to be used in repairing the lesion or defect.

Abstract: Cells are employed in conjunction with unique biologically-compatible scaffold structures to generate differentiated tissues and structures, both in vitro and in vivo. The presently disclosed subject matter further relates to methods of forming and using improved tissue engineered scaffolds that can be used as substrates to facilitate the growth and differentiation of cells.

Abstract: A scaffold is provided which facilitates integration of both bone and cartilage at an osteochondral lesion, thereby acting as a tissue engineered interface or tissue engineered junction between the two different tissues. The method and systems for engineering this interface may be acellular or may be loaded with cells prior to use.

Abstract: This invention relates to orthopedic implants and to methods of treating bone defects. More specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention is directed to non-metallic implants and to methods for intra-operative assembly and fixation of orthopedic implants to facilitate medical treatment. The non-metallic implant assembly can be secured to underlying tissue by a fastener, such as a bone screw, that is capable of swelling on contact with fluid in the underlying tissue. Alternatively, the non-metallic implant assembly can be assembled intra-operatively using a fastener that is adhesively bonded to a bone plate or the bone plate can be deformed using heat, force, or solvents to inhibit withdrawal of the fastener. In preferred embodiments, both the fastener and the bone plate are formed of biodegradable material.

Abstract: Cells are employed in conjunction with unique biologically-compatible scaffold structures to generate differentiated tissues and structures, both in vitro and in vivo. The presently disclosed subject matter further relates to methods of forming and using improved tissue engineered scaffolds that can be used as substrates to facilitate the growth and differentiation of cells.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter generally relates to methods and systems for facilitating the growth and differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells for laboratory and therapeutic applications. The cells can be employed alone or in conjunction with unique biologically-compatible scaffold structures to generate differentiated tissues and structures, both in vitro and in vivo. The presently disclosed subject matter further relates to methods of forming and using improved tissue engineered scaffolds that can be used as substrates to facilitate the growth and differentiation of cells.

Abstract: A plate of biocompatible material is provided having curvature in two planes such that it conforms to the curvature of the L5 vertebral body and to the patient's lordotic curve. Holes are provided receiving screws for anchorage in the vertebral body and sacrum. A flange or foot portion on the plate provides a wider base end area for support in the L5-S1 interspace. The foot portion is also arranged for appropriate entry angle of screws into the sacrum such as to improve anchorage in the sacrum. Anti-backout and low profile features are incorporated. The anterior lumbar plate is situated to maintain the anterior interbody bone graft in compression by resisting tensile forces during extension.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing a surgical procedure in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae. A cannula is inserted to create a working channel through the skin and tissue of a patient using a transforaminal approach to the disc space. A viewing element is used to visualize working end of the cannula and the disc space. A facetectomy is performed through the working channel to access the disc space. The disc space is prepared with various instruments, such as distractors, shims, chisels and distractor-cutters that extend through the working channel. At least implant is inserted into the disc space. The procedure allows bi-lateral support of the adjacent vertebrae with the at least one implant inserted via a unitary, minimally invasive approach to disc space.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing a surgical procedure in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae. A cannula is inserted to create a working channel through the skin and tissue of a patient using a transformational approach to the disc space. A viewing element is used to visualize working end of the cannula and the disc space. A facetectomy is performed through the working channel to access the disc space. The disc space is prepared with various instruments, such as distractors, shims, chisels and distractor-cutters that extend through the working channel. At least implant is inserted into the disc space. The procedure allows bi-lateral support of the adjacent vertebrae with the at least one implant inserted via a unitary, minimally invasive approach to disc space.

Abstract: An osteogenic material packing device is used to pack osteogenic material onto a spinal fusion device. The packing device has a cavity defined therein, which is adapted to receive the spinal fusion device. The packing device further includes an access port, which intersects the cavity to receive the osteogenic material. A cannula is coupled to the packing device and an inserter is coupled to the fusion device in order to insert the fusion device into the packing device. Osteogenic material is packed through the access port around the fusion device. The fusion device then is slid through the cannula and inserted in the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing a surgical procedure in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae. The instruments include a distractor and a cutting instrument. In one embodiment the distractor includes a body portion and a pair of flanges extending along opposite sides of the body portion such that a slot is formed between the flanges and the body portion. The cutting instrument is positionable over the body portion and into the slots of the distractor so that the flanges are positioned between the cutting instrument and the adjacent tissue.

Abstract: A guide is disclosed for use in performing spinal surgery to prepare across a spinal disc and adjacent vertebrae an implantation space. The guide is associated with a computer controlled surgical navigation system employing an energy-detecting array to track positions of the guide in three dimensional space relative to a known reference point. The guide includes a body for providing protected access to prepare across the spinal disc and into the adjacent vertebrae the implantation space. The body has a passage adapted to receive a bone removal device for forming the implantation space through the body. At least one electrically energizable energy emitter array is attached to the body for use in identifying the location of the guide relative to the adjacent vertebrae. A system and method for using the guide in spinal surgery are also disclosed.