Meniscus for joint reconstruction

Abstract

The invention provides treatment methods of using meniscus to repair injured and/or arthritic joints, for example, small hand joints including but not limited to radiocarpal, metacarpophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints. The invention also provides various implants made of meniscus for injured and/or arthritic joints.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implant for implantation into a subject's joint or for cartilage repair of an osteochondral defect or damage, comprising a piece of tissue harvested from a meniscus, wherein the piece of tissue is dimensioned to cover a surface of a bone in the joint, or dimensioned to replace a defective or damaged portion of the cartilage of the osteochondral defect or damage. 
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is for implantation into a subject's joint. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is for cartilage repair of the osteochondral defect or damage. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is an articular surface. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the meniscus is from a cadaver. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the subject's joint is a small, medium, or large joint. 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the subject's joint is the shoulder joint, elbow joint, wrist joint, hand joint, or finger joint. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the subject's joint is the hip joint, knee joint, ankle joint, foot joint or toe joint. 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the piece of tissue is shaped to be round or generally round, oval or generally oval, square or generally square, or rectangular or generally rectangular. 
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the piece of tissue is shaped to be flat, saucer-shaped or cup-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the piece of tissue is dimensioned to be about 0.2-4.0 cm 2 . 
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the piece of tissue has a dimension of about 0.2-4.0 cm. 
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the piece of tissue has a thickness of about 0.1-1.0 cm. 
     
     
         14 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the piece of tissue is dimensioned to be inserted into the subject's joint. 
     
     
         15 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the piece of tissue is configured to be secured to the surface. 
     
     
         16 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a securement for securing the piece of tissue to the surface. 
     
     
         17 . The implant of  claim 16 , wherein the securement is a suture, adhesive, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing an implant for implantation into a subject's joint, or for repairing cartilage due to a osteochondral defect or damage comprising:
 obtaining a piece of tissue from a meniscus; and   dimensioning the piece of tissue for covering a surface of a bone in the joint, or   dimensioning the piece of tissue for replacing the defective or damaged portion of the cartilage of the osteochondral defect or damage,   whereby the dimensioned piece of tissue is the manufactured implant.   
     
     
         19 . A method of treating a subject's joint, comprising:
 providing a piece of tissue harvested from a meniscus, wherein the piece of tissue is dimensioned to cover a surface of a bone in the joint;   exposing the joint;   preparing the surface;   inserting the piece of tissue into the joint;   securing the piece of tissue to the surface; and   closing the joint.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , before closing the joint, further comprising:
 providing a second piece of tissue harvested from a meniscus, wherein the second piece of tissue is dimensioned to cover a second surface of a second bone in the joint;   preparing the second surface;   inserting the second piece of tissue into the joint; and   securing the second piece of tissue to the second surface.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the joint is injured and/or arthritic. 
     
     
         22 . A method of cartilage repair of an osteochondral defect or damage, comprising:
 providing a piece of tissue harvested from a meniscus, wherein the piece of tissue is dimensioned replace the defective or damaged portion of the cartilage of the osteochondral defect or damage;   removing the defective or damaged portion of the cartilage;   inserting the piece of tissue into the removed portion of the cartilage; and   securing the piece of tissue to the cartilage.   
     
     
         23 . A kit for treating a subject, comprising:
 an implant of  claim 1 ; and   instructions for using the implant to treat the subject.