Solid forms for tissue repair

Abstract

This invention provides coral-based scaffolds for cartilage repair, and instruments for insertion and utilization of same within a site of cartilage repair.

1 - 76 . (canceled) 
     
     
         77 . A kit comprising,
 a scaffold for repair of cartilage or an osteochondral defect, the scaffold comprising coral having at least a first portion of an exposed surface, which first portion is raised with respect to at least a second portion of the exposed surface in the coral, wherein the at least a first portion of the coral is proximal to a hollow or hollows along a longitudinal axis of the first portion and wherein the at least a second portion abuts the hollow or hollows and wherein the first portion comprises at least a region, which specifically positions and confines the coral within a site of cartilage repair; and   a polymer for use as polymer coating.   
     
     
         78 . The kit of  claim 77 , wherein the polymer comprises a protein. 
     
     
         79 . The kit of  claim 78 , wherein the protein comprises at least one of zein, modified zein, casein, gelatin, gluten, serum albumin, collagen, actin, a-fetoprotein, globulin, macroglobulin, cohesin, laminin, fibronectin, fibrinogen, osteocalcin, steopontin, and osteoprotegerin. 
     
     
         80 . The kit of  claim 77 , wherein the coral comprises a polymer coating. 
     
     
         81 . The kit of  claim 80 , wherein the polymer coating is permeable. 
     
     
         82 . The kit of  claim 80 , wherein the polymer coating is discontinuous and optionally in the form of aggregates or particles. 
     
     
         83 . The kit of  claim 82 , wherein said polymer coating is in the form of a gel. 
     
     
         84 . The kit of  claim 80 , wherein the polymer coating comprises a natural polymer comprising collagen, elastin, silk, hyaluronic acid, chitosan, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         85 . The kit of  claim 84 , wherein the collagen or hyaluronic acid is crosslinked. 
     
     
         86 . The kit of  claim 77 , wherein the scaffold comprises a cytokine, a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), a chelator, a cell population, a therapeutic compound, an antibiotic, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         87 . The kit of  claim 86 , wherein the therapeutic compound comprises an anti-inflammatory compound, an anti-infective compound, a growth factor, a pro-angiogenic factors, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         88 . The kit of  claim 77 , wherein the scaffold comprises a shape comprising a cone, a tack, a screw, a cylinder, a rectangular bar, a plate, a disc, a pyramid, a granule, a ball, or a cube. 
     
     
         89 . The kit of  claim 77 , wherein said scaffold comprises a shape comprising a meniscus for a knee or elbow; a joint; an articular surface of a bone, the rib cage, a hip, a pelvis, an ear, a nose, the bronchial tubes, or the intervertebral discs. 
     
     
         90 . The kit of  claim 77 , wherein the scaffold lacks a polymer coating. 
     
     
         91 . A method of inducing or enhancing repair, regeneration or enhancement of formation of cartilage, bone or a combination thereof, said method comprising implanting in a subject, a scaffold within a site in need of repair, regeneration or enhancement of formation of cartilage, bone or a combination thereof in said subject, wherein said scaffold is prepared using the kit of  claim 77 . 
     
     
         92 . A method of  claim 91 , wherein said coral is seeded with a cell population comprising mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, other cells involved in cartilage repair, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         93 . A kit comprising,
 a scaffold for tissue repair, the scaffold comprising a polymer form enveloping coral particles, wherein the scaffold is rigid and has at least a first portion of an exposed surface, which first portion is raised with respect to at least a second portion of the exposed surface in the coral, wherein the at least a first portion of the coral is proximal to a hollow or hollows along a longitudinal axis of the first portion and wherein the at least a second portion abuts the hollow or hollows and wherein the first portion comprises at least a region, which specifically positions and confines the coral within a site of cartilage repair; and   a polymer for use as a polymer coating.   
     
     
         94 . The kit of  claim 93 , wherein the polymer comprises a protein. 
     
     
         95 . The kit of  claim 94 , wherein the protein comprises at least one of zein, modified zein, casein, gelatin, gluten, serum albumin, collagen, actin, a-fetoprotein, globulin, macroglobulin, cohesin, laminin, fibronectin, fibrinogen, osteocalcin, steopontin, and osteoprotegerin. 
     
     
         96 . The kit of  claim 93 , wherein the scaffold comprises a pasting agent. 
     
     
         97 . The kit of  claim 96 , wherein the pasting agent comprises a native or crosslinked hyaluronan (HA), collagen, or fibrinogen. 
     
     
         98 . The kit of  claim 93 , wherein the polymer form comprises a natural polymer comprising collagen, elastin, silk, hyaluronic acid, chitosan, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         99 . The kit of  claim 93 , wherein the polymer form enhances cartilage or bone formation or repair. 
     
     
         100 . The kit of  claim 93 , wherein the coral particles are micronized to 1-100 μm, 100-350 μm, or 150-500 μm in size. 
     
     
         101 . The kit of  claim 93 , wherein the polymer is permeable. 
     
     
         102 . The kit of  claim 93 , wherein the scaffold comprises an anti-inflammatory compound, an anti-infective compound, a growth factor, a pro-angiogenic factor, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         103 . The kit of  claim 93 , wherein the scaffold comprises a cytokine, a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), a chelator, a cell population, a therapeutic compound, an antibiotic, or any combination thereof.