Micronized wharton's jelly

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions and formulations of micronized Wharton's jelly having a controlled viscosity such that when delivered to the injured region of a subject, it remains substantially localized with little or no migration out of the injured region for the repair and/or regeneration thereof. Micronized Wharton's Jelly can be suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable aqueous carrier, such as saline, sterile water, or any suitable buffer, to form a suspension or a gelatinous gel composition, or it can be in the form of a paste, suitable for delivery into the space adjacent the articular surface cartilage injured region of a subject. The micronized Wharton's jelly when employed at sufficient concentrations can be hydrated into a gel or paste and administered topically, or it can be injected into the body through the use of a needle and syringe. Accordingly, micronized Wharton's Jelly, compositions, or formulations thereof, can be delivered in a manner that is more convenient than Wharton's jelly that has not been micronized in accordance with the present invention.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A method for inducing hyaline cartilage formation in a patient in need thereof, said method comprising introducing a composition comprising Wharton's jelly into a joint of said patient, wherein hyaline cartilage formation is induced. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is selected from the group consisting of water, saline, and phosphate buffered saline. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the composition further comprises a surfactant or an emulsifier. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the composition further comprises a plasticizer. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the composition is injectable. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the composition is a liquid, a gel or a paste. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the composition further comprises a biocompatible polymer. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the biocompatible polymer is a plasticizer. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the plasticizer is cross-linked with a biocompatible cross-linking agent. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the composition further comprises amniotic membrane of an umbilical cord. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the composition is substantially free of amniotic membrane of an umbilical cord. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said patient suffers from an articular surface defect. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the articular surface defect is localized at a joint in a shoulder, elbows, knee, hip, feet, ankle, hand, and/or wrist of said patient. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the composition is administered to the site of the articular surface defect. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the composition is administered to the patient during a micro-fracture procedure. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the composition is administered to a drill fracture site during a micro-fracture procedure. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the composition is added to an autogenous bone tissue. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the composition is administered to a synovial joint of said patient. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the Wharton's jelly is micronized.