Abstract: The present invention provides: an MRI contrast agent for detecting cartilage damage, which comprises 17O-labeled water; and a method and a program for detecting cartilage damage using the contrast agent. According to the present invention, it becomes possible to detect a damage in a cartilage, particularly a minor damage in the surface layer of a cartilage which has been difficult to detect so far, by using 17O-labeled water as a contrast agent.

Abstract: Provided is a composition for treating cartilage injury lesion that is combined with a concentrated bone marrow aspirate and applied to a cartilage injury lesion, that has flowability when applied to the cartilage injury lesion, and that contains a monovalent metal salt of alginic acid. Thereby, a novel composition for treating cartilage injury lesion that can be used to restore and/or regenerate cartilage tissue is provided.

Abstract: Realized is reliable fixation of a material in a fluid state containing a monovalent metal salt of alginic acid when the material is applied to a subject. A combination of compositions comprising a first material composition containing a monovalent metal salt of alginic acid and a second material composition containing a cross-linking agent having an action of cross-linking the monovalent metal salt of alginic acid, wherein the combination is to be used in such a way as to apply the first material composition to a subject in a fluid state and contact the second material composition with the first material composition applied to the subject to gel at least a part of the first material composition, wherein the first material composition further contains a coloring component so that a formation state of a gel coat on a surface of the first material composition applied to the subject can be evaluated.

Abstract: A retractor is provided that can form a joint cavity internal space for a field of view for an endoscope and practice of a treatment in a state where a wound area is spread. A retractor includes first arm portions 2 and 3 and a second arm portion 4 positioned between the first arm portions 2 and 3. The first arm portions 2 and 3 include first claw portions 12 and 13 to be hung on a wound area entrance edge. The second arm portion 4 includes a second claw portion 14 to be hung on the wound area entrance edge. When the first arm portions 2 and 3 and the second arm portion 4 are in a closed state, the first claw portions 12 and 13 and the second claw portion 14 overlap with each other.

Abstract: The present invention has an objective of providing a novel composition for treating a fibrocartilaginous tissue injury. The present invention provides a composition for treating a fibrocartilaginous tissue injury, which is to be applied to an injured fibrocartilaginous tissue part of a target and which comprises a monovalent metal salt of alginic acid, more preferably a low endotoxin monovalent metal salt of alginic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for filling the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc, the composition containing a low endotoxin monovalent metal salt of alginic acid. The composition is applied to a nucleus pulposus site of a subject, is used so as to be cured partially after application, and has fluidity when applied to the nucleus pulposus site. Accordingly, a composition for filling nucleus pulposus is provided, the composition being capable of promoting the regeneration of the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc.

Abstract: The present invention has an objective of providing a novel composition for treating a fibrocartilaginous tissue injury. The present invention provides a composition for treating a fibrocartilaginous tissue injury, which is to be applied to an injured fibrocartilaginous tissue part of a target and which comprises a monovalent metal salt of alginic acid, more preferably a low endotoxin monovalent metal salt of alginic acid.

Abstract: A novel composition for regenerating a cartilage has been demanded, which can achieve a good effect of regenerating a hyaline cartilage that is a nearly normal cartilage without requiring the use of any transplanted cell. The present invention provides a composition for regenerating a cartilage, wherein (a) a monovalent metal salt of low endotoxin alginic acid and (b) SDF-1 are used in combination.

Abstract: A novel composition for regenerating a cartilage has been demanded, which can achieve a good effect of regenerating a hyaline cartilage that is a nearly normal cartilage without requiring the use of any transplanted cell. The present invention provides a composition for regenerating a cartilage, wherein (a) a monovalent metal salt of low endotoxin alginic acid and (b) SDF-1 are used in combination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for regenerating cartilage or treating a cartilage disease containing a monovalent metal salt of alginic acid for which the endotoxin level thereof has been lowered to an extent that does not substantially induce inflammation or fever. As a result, it is possible to provide a composition for regenerating cartilage that improves cartilage regenerative action and ease of application to a cartilage injury lesion, and a composition for treating a cartilage disease, which has the effects of protecting cartilage from mechanical irritation, inhibiting degenerative changes in cartilage caused by wear and inflammation, repairing a cartilage injury lesion, and inhibiting inflammation and pain of joint tissue.

Abstract: A novel composition for regenerating a cartilage has been demanded, which can achieve a good effect of regenerating a hyaline cartilage that is a nearly normal cartilage without requiring the use of any transplanted cell. The present invention provides a composition for regenerating a cartilage, wherein (a) a monovalent metal salt of low endotoxin alginic acid and (b) SDF-1 are used in combination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for regenerating cartilage or treating a cartilage disease containing a monovalent metal salt of alginic acid for which the endotoxin level thereof has been lowered to an extent that does not substantially induce inflammation or fever. As a result, it is possible to provide a composition for regenerating cartilage that improves cartilage regenerative action and ease of application to a cartilage injury lesion, and a composition for treating a cartilage disease, which has the effects of protecting cartilage from mechanical irritation, inhibiting degenerative changes in cartilage caused by wear and inflammation, repairing a cartilage injury lesion, and inhibiting inflammation and pain of joint tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating a joint disease containing as an active ingredient thereof a monovalent metal salt of alginic acid for which the endotoxin level thereof has been lowered to an extent that does not substantially induce inflammation or fever. As a result, it is possible to provide a composition for treating a joint disease which has the effects of protecting cartilage from mechanical irritation, inhibiting degenerative changes in cartilage caused by wear and inflammation, repairing cartilage injuries, suppressing inflammation and pain of joint tissue, inhibiting degeneration of synovial tissue, and inhibiting osteochondral destruction.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating a joint disease containing as an active ingredient thereof a monovalent metal salt of alginic acid for which the endotoxin level thereof has been lowered to an extent that does not substantially induce inflammation or fever. As a result, it is possible to provide a composition for treating a joint disease which has the effects of protecting cartilage from mechanical irritation, inhibiting degenerative changes in cartilage caused by wear and inflammation, repairing cartilage injuries, suppressing inflammation and pain of joint tissue, inhibiting degeneration of synovial tissue, and inhibiting osteochondral destruction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for regenerating cartilage or treating a cartilage disease containing a monovalent metal salt of alginic acid for which the endotoxin level thereof has been lowered to an extent that does not substantially induce inflammation or fever. As a result, it is possible to provide a composition for regenerating cartilage that improves cartilage regenerative action and ease of application to a cartilage injury lesion, and a composition for treating a cartilage disease, which has the effects of protecting cartilage from mechanical irritation, inhibiting degenerative changes in cartilage caused by wear and inflammation, repairing a cartilage injury lesion, and inhibiting inflammation and pain of joint tissue.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a three-dimensional scaffolds appropriate for culturing animal cells such as chondrocytes and fibroblasts. These three-dimensional scaffolds which comprise a chitosan/acidic biopolymers hybrid fibers composed of chitosan or its salts in the inside of the fiber and complexes of chitosan with biodegradable acidic biopolymers coating the fiber surface, are made of fibers capable of retaining their shapes after allowing to stand Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing 10% of FBS (fetal bovine serum) at room temperature for 2 weeks.