Composition and method for the repair and regeneration of cartilage and other tissues

Patent Number: 7,148,209

Repair of cartilage is an area of active investigation using a wide variety of approaches, including bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and various progenitor cell types.

In this patent, methods of inducing cartilage regeneration are disclosed through administration of a solution that contains a mixture of various blood components and polymers. In certain embodiments the polymers are liquid and take a solid form upon administration or alteration in temperature. The polymers and blood components serve as both a structural support for regeneration, but also provide various biological means to stimulate stem cells into proliferating and differentiating so as to accelerate the healing process.

The polymer components claimed include polysaccharides, proteins, and polyamino acids.

Polysaccarides include as chitosan, chitin, hyaluronan, glycosaminoglycan, chondroitin sulfate, keratan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparin, and heparin sulfate.

Proteins include soluble collagen or gelatin.

Polyamino acids include polylysine.

Blood components include coagulated whole blood or various components thereof.

View this patent on the USPTO website.