Compositions and minimally invasive methods for treating incomplete tissue repair

Abstract

Methods are described for using compositions containing platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of a variety of tissue lesions. Particularly, delivery of platelet-rich plasma to bone tissue particularly a vertebral body or in combination with a bone graft are disclosed.

1 . A method of treating an injured tissue in an individual comprising:
 determining a site of tissue injury in the individual; and   introducing a platelet-rich plasma composition into and around the site of tissue injury,   
       wherein the tissue comprises bone tissue and wherein no exogenous activator is added to the composition prior to its introduction into and around the site of injury. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bone tissue is fractured. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fracture is a compression fracture. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bone tissue comprises a vertebral body. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of titrating the platelet-rich plasma to obtain a pH of about 7.3 to 7.5. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the titration is performed using a bicarbonate buffer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the platelet-rich plasma composition comprises platelets obtained from the individual. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of mixing into the platelet composition substantially simultaneously with the introduction into and around the site of tissue injury, one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of thrombin, epinephrine, collagen, calcium salts, and pH adjusting agents. 
     
     
         10 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating a vertebral body that has sustained a compression fracture comprising injecting a composition comprising platelet-rich plasma into the vertebral body. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the use of a balloon prior to injection. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein no exogenous activator is added to the composition prior to its introduction into the vertebral body. 
     
     
         17 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the vertebral body comprises a fracture. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the fracture is a compression fracture. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the platelet-rich plasma is administered in combination with a bone graft.