Particulate cartilage compositions, processes for their preparation and methods for regenerating cartilage

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.

1 . A particulate cartilage composition for stimulating chondrogenesis and producing cartilage regeneration comprising non-demineralized particulate articular cartilage having a distribution of particle sizes within the range of from about 60 microns to about 500 microns.  
     
     
         2 . The particulate cartilage composition according to  claim 1  wherein the non-demineralized particulate articular cartilage has a distribution of particle sizes within the range of from about 60 microns to about 250 microns.  
     
     
         3 . The particulate cartilage composition according to  claim 1  wherein the non-demineralized particulate articular cartilage comprises chemically untreated non-demineralized particulate articular cartilage.  
     
     
         4 . The particulate cartilage composition according to  claim 1  wherein the non-demineralized particulate articular cartilage comprises one of hyaline cartilage, fibrocartilage, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The particulate cartilage composition according to  claim 1  wherein the non-demineralized articular cartilage comprises one of allogeneic cartilage, xenogeneic cartilage, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A process for preparing a particulate cartilage composition for stimulating chondrogenesis and producing cartilage regeneration comprising grinding non-demineralized articular cartilage to particle sizes distributed within the range of from about 60 microns to about 500 microns, wherein, during grinding, the temperature of the non-demineralized articular cartilage does not exceed about 50° C.  
     
     
         7 . The process for preparing a particulate cartilage composition according to  claim 6  wherein, during grinding, the temperature of the non-demineralized articular cartilage does not exceed about 40° C.  
     
     
         8 . The process for preparing a particulate cartilage composition according to  claim 6  wherein the non-demineralized articular cartilage is not chemically treated.  
     
     
         9 . The process for preparing a particulate cartilage composition according to  claim 6  comprising grinding one of dry non-demineralized articular cartilage, freeze-dried non-demineralized articular cartilage, frozen non-demineralized articular cartilage, wet non-demineralized articular cartilage, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The process for preparing a particulate cartilage composition according to  claim 6  comprising grinding one of non-demineralized allogeneic cartilage, non-demineralized xenogeneic cartilage, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         11 . A method for regenerating articular cartilage comprising administering the composition according to  claim 1  to an articular cartilage defect.  
     
     
         12 . The method for regenerating articular cartilage according to  claim 11  further comprising administering one or more additional cartilage growth promoting factors to the articular cartilage defect.