Treatment methods using a particulate cadaveric allogenic juvenile cartilage particles

1. A method of treating a cartilage defect, comprising:

implanting cadaveric, allogenic human juvenile cartilage tissue particles including viable chondrocytes into the defect; and

depositing a chondro-conductive matrix into the defect.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cartilage particles are implanted and the chondro-conductive matrix is deposited simultaneously.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cartilage particles are implanted and the chondro-conductive matrix is deposited sequentially.

4. The method of claim 2 or 3 , wherein the cartilage particles are implanted and the chondro-conductive matrix is deposited through a cannulated device.

5. The method of claim 2 or 3 , wherein the cartilage particles are implanted and the chondro-conductive matrix is molded to the defect during a period of plasticity of the chondro-conductive matrix.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the cartilage particles and the chondro-conductive matrix comprise a single construct.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein a preformed single construct is produced by delivering the cartilage particles and the chondro-conductive matrix to a mold.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the preformed single construct is attached to cartilage or bone adjacent the defect by gluing.

9. The method of claim 4 , wherein the cartilage particles and the chondro-conductive matrix are mixed during deposition.

10. The method of claim 3 , wherein chondro-conductive matrix is deposited after cartilage particles are implanted into the defect.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a retainer to the defect.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the retainer is selected from the group consisting of a flap, plug, disc, sheet or patch overlaying the cartilage particles and the chondro-conductive matrix.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the retainer comprises a glue.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the retainer is selected from the group consisting of a suture, tack or staple.

15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising treating a bone defect adjacent the cartilage defect with an osteo-conductive matrix.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the osteo-conductive matrix is deposited up to the tide mark adjacent the cartilage defect.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the osteo-conductive matrix is selected from the group consisting of a porous solid, semisolid, paste or gel.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the osteo-conductive matrix is selected from the group consisting of bone or a calcium phosphate containing composition.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the bone is demineralized.

20. The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing the cartilage particles from a container including a biocompatible storage solution.

21. The method of claims 20 , wherein the storage solution comprises at least one preservative.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cartilage particles have a dimension from about one to about three millimeters.

23. The method of any one of claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 11 , 15 or 20 , wherein the cartilage particles range in size from about 1 to about 27 mm 3 .

24. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cartilage particles comprise at least 1×10 6 chondrocytes.

25. The method of claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 11 , 15 or 20 , wherein the cartilage particles are distributed throughout 90% or less of the chondro-conductive matrix.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the cartilage particles are distributed throughout 60% or less of the chondro-conductive matrix.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the cartilage particles are distributed throughout 30% or less of the chondro-conductive matrix.

28. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cartilage particles are homogeneously distributed within the chondro-conductive matrix.

29. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cartilage particles are heterogeneously distributed within the chondro-conductive matrix.

30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the cartilage particles are at a higher concentration in the chondro-conductive matrix near the bottom of the defect.

31. The method of claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 11 , 15 or 20 , wherein the defect is an articular cartilage defect.

32. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cartilage particles comprise articular cartilage.

33. The method of claim 32 , wherein the cartilage particles comprise cartilage from a femoral condyle, a tibial plateau or an interior surface of a patella.

34. The method of claim 1 , wherein the chondro-conductive matrix is selected from the group consisting of plasma-based adhesives or sealants, and protein-based adhesives or sealants, natural adhesives or sealants and any combination thereof.

35. The method of claim 34 , wherein the chondro-conductive matrix is fibrin.

36. The method of claim 1 , 2 , 3 , 11 , 15 or 20 , wherein the cartilage particles are from cadaveric juvenile donors less than fifteen years of age.

37. The method of claim 36 , wherein the cartilage particles are from cadaveric juvenile donors less than two years of age.

38. The method of claim 36 , wherein the cartilage particles are from cadaveric juvenile donors from about 20 weeks to about 13 years of age.