Cartilage Repair

1 . A formable composition comprising from about 25% to about 40% by weight of demineralized bone matrix, from about 3.5% to about 25% by weight of a hyaluronic acid salt, and from about 40% to about 72% by weight of a biologically compatible liquid.

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5 . The composition of claim 1 further comprising a rheology modifier.

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10 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the hyaluronic acid salt has an average molecular weight of at least about 500,000 Daltons.

11 . The composition of claim 1 comprising a mixture of at least two hyaluronic acid salts.

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17 . The composition of claim 1 further characterized in that, when subject to the Instron Syringe Extrusion Force (ISEF) test, the composition exhibits an extrusion force of from about 12.0 Newtons to about 30.0 Newtons.

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20 . The composition of claim 1 further comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient.

21 . The composition of claim 20 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is bone morphogenic protein, tissue growth factors, insulin growth factors, antioxidants, antibiotics, or combinations of growth factors.

22 . The composition of claim 20 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is selected from BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-6, BMP-7, TGF-B, IGF-I, ascorbate, pyruvate, BHT, gentamycin, vancomycin, the combination of TGF-β and BMP-2, and the combination of TGF-β and IGF-I.

23 . The composition of claim 20 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is conjugated with the hyaluronic acid salt.

24 . A method of repairing cartilage in a subject comprising administering to a subject at a site of a defect in cartilaginous tissue an effective amount of a composition, the composition comprising demineralized bone matrix and a hyaluronic acid salt.

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76 . A dry blend composition comprising from about 60% to about 92% by weight of demineralized bone matrix, from about 3.5% to about 38% by weight of a hyaluronic acid salt, and from about 3% to about 10% by weight of a biologically compatible liquid.

77 . (canceled)

78 . The composition of claim 76 wherein the hyaluronic acid salt has an average molecular weight of at least about 200,000 Daltons.

79 . The composition of claim 76 comprising a mixture of at least two hyaluroinc acid salts.

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83 . The composition of claim 76 further comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient.

84 . The composition of claim 83 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is bone morphogenic protein, tissue growth factors, insulin growth factors, antioxidants, antibiotics, or combinations of growth factors.

85 . The composition of claim 83 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is selected from BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-6, BMP-7, TGF-B, IGF-I, ascorbate, pyruvate, BHT, gentamycin, vancomycin, the combination of TGF-β and BMP-2, and the combination of TGF-β and IGF-I.

86 . The composition of claim 83 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is conjugated with the hyaluronic acid salt.

87 . A plug comprising from about 25% to about 88% by weight of demineralized bone matrix and from about 3.5% to about 38% by weight of a hyaluronic acid salt and from about 3% to about 20% by weight of a biologically compatible liquid.

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90 . The plug of claim 87 wherein the powders further comprise a plastizer.

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96 . The plug of claim 87 wherein the hyaluronic acid salt has an average molecular weight of at least about 200,000 Daltons.

97 . The plug of claim 87 comprising a mixture of at least two hyaluronic acid salts.

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103 . The plug of claim 87 wherein the powders further comprise a pharmaceutically active ingredient.

104 . The plug of claim 103 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is bone morphogenic protein, tissue growth factors, insulin growth factors, antioxidants, antibiotics, or combinations of growth factors.

105 . The plug of claim 103 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is selected from BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-6, BMP-7, TGF-B, IGF-I, ascorbate, pyruvate, BHT, gentamycin, vancomycin, the combination of TGF-β and BMP-2, and the combination of TGF-β and IGF-I.

106 . The plug of claim 103 wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is conjugated with the hyaluronic acid salt.

107 . The plug of claim 87 characterized in that the plug exhibits an unconfined Compression Stress of at least about 1.55 MPa.

108 . A method of forming a plug comprising a) providing powders of demineralized bone matrix and a hyaluronic acid salt, b) mixing the powders, c) adding a liquid component to form a putty like material, d) placing the putty in a mold, and e) drying the shaped putty to form a plug.

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130 . The method of claim 108 wherein the plug is further conditioned to achieve a moisture content of about 3-20% by weight.

131 . The method of claim 130 wherein the moisture content is from about 5% to about 10% by weight.