Methods of using regenerative cells in the treatment of cartilage defects
View Patent ↗Regenerative cells present in adipose tissue are used to treat patients, including patients with musculoskeletal diseases or disorders. Methods of treating patients include processing adipose tissue to deliver a concentrated amount of regenerative cells obtained from the adipose tissue to a patient. The methods may be practiced in a closed system so that the stem cells are not exposed to an external environment prior to being administered to a patient. Accordingly, in a preferred method, regenerative cells present in adipose tissue are placed directly into a recipient along with such additives necessary to promote, engender or support a therapeutic musculoskeletal benefit.
1. A method of treating a cartilage defect in subject in need thereof, comprising:
identifying a subject with a cartilage defect; and
administering a therapeutically effective amount of a concentrated population of adipose-derived regenerative cells comprising adipose-derived stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells to said subject sufficient to accelerate the healing of cartilage defect, wherein the concentrated population of adipose-derived regenerative cells has not been cultured, and wherein said concentrated population of adipose-derived regenerative cells is obtained by acquiring an adipose tissue sample, separating away adipocytes and connective tissue, and washing and concentrating said adipose-derived regenerative cells.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentrated population of adipose-derived regenerative cells comprising stem cells is obtained from adipose tissue of the subject to whom the cells are administered.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cartilage defect comprises osteoarthritis.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cartilage defect is a defect in the articular cartilage.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cartilage defect is a defect in the meniscal fibrocartilage.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cartilage defect is a defect in the knee.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said administration step comprises administering multiple doses of said concentrated population of adipose-derived regenerative cells.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing adipose tissue to a self-contained adipose tissue processing unit comprising:
a tissue collecting container configured to receive and fully or partially disaggregate adipose tissue, wherein said tissue collecting container is coupled to a cell collection container wherein said coupling defines a closed system in which said fully or partially disaggregated adipose tissue directed from tissue collecting container to cell collection container is not exposed to the external environment; and wherein said cell collection container, further comprises a cell concentrator that facilitates separation of the cells in a suspension; and
an outlet that is structured to permit said concentrated population of adipose derived regenerative cells to be removed from said adipose tissue processing unit;
obtaining the concentrated population of adipose-derived regenerative cells from said self-contained adipose tissue processing unit.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the concentrated population of adipose-derived regenerative cells comprises a minimum concentration of between 1×10 5 and 1×10 7 adipose-derived stem cells.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentrated population of adipose-derived regenerative cells further comprises an additive.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein said additive is selected from the group consisting of a cell differentiation factor, a growth promoter, an immunosuppressive agent, a medical device, or a combination thereof.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein said additive is selected from the group consisting of other cells, tissue, and tissue fragments.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein said additive comprises an angiogenic factor, an arteriogenic factor.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein said concentrated population of adipose-derived regenerative cells further comprises endothelial precursor cells.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein said concentrated population of adipose-derived regenerative cells comprising stem cells is applied to a biocompatible matrix.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said biocompatible matrix is a synthetic or biological scaffold.
17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
performing lipoaspiration to obtain adipose tissue from said subject; and
processing said adipose tissue to obtain said concentrated population of adipose-derived regenerative cells.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein said concentrated population of adipose-derived regenerative cells cryopreserved.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein said concentrated population of adipose-derived cells is administered via an artificial or natural tissue scaffold.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein said concentrated population of adipose-derived regenerative cells is not exposed to the external environment prior to the administration step.