Optimized solid substrates, tools for use with same and uses thereof for promoting cell and tissue growth

1. A method for treating a defect, disorder or disease in a subject in need,

wherein the defect, disorder or disease is one of cartilage, bone, or a combination thereof; and

wherein the method comprises implanting into said subject a solid substrate for promoting cell or tissue growth or restored function, wherein the solid substrate comprises a coral or coral derivative wherein the solid substrate is characterized by a specific fluid uptake capacity value of at least 75% or is characterized by having a contact angle value of less than 60 degrees, when in contact with a fluid, and is further characterized by

at least one substantially flat cross section at a terminus of said solid substrate;

a conical or pyramidal frustum shape; and

tapered sides at an angle of from about 0.75 to about 4 degrees from a longitudinal axis along said solid substrate.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said defect, disorder or disease of cartilage comprises a full or partial thickness articular cartilage defect; osteochondral defect; osteoarthritis, a joint defect or a defect resulting from trauma, sports, or repetitive stress.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said joint defect comprises restoring cartilage defects of the joints.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the joint is selected from one or more of a knee, elbow, ankle, toe, finger, hip, and shoulder joint.

5. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said osteochondral defect comprises both bone and cartilage tissue in need of repair.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said defect, disorder or disease of the bone comprises a fracture, bone defect, bone edema, osteoporosis, or a defect resulting from trauma, sports, or repetitive stress.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method induces or enhances cartilage repair in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, aseptic necrosis, osteoarthritis, including costochondritis dissecans, articular cartilage injuries, chondromalacia patella, chondrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma—head and neck, costochondritis enchondroma, hallux rigidus, hip labral tear, costochondritis dissecans, torn meniscus, relapsing polychondritis, canine arthritis, fourth branchial arch defect or cauliflower ear.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said implanting is conducted at an angle from an axis perpendicular to the surface of the tissue site being thus treated.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said tapered sides are at an angle of about two degrees from a longitudinal axis along said solid substrate.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said solid coral or coral derivative is isolated from a Porites species, a Goniopora , a Millepora species or an Acropora species.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the solid substrate comprises a hollow or hollows along a Cartesian coordinate axis of said solid substrate.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said solid substrate is an allograft or autograft.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said solid substrate has a height of about 5-40 nun.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said solid substrate has a height of about 1 cm to about 5 cm.

15. A method for treating a defect, disorder or disease in a subject in need,

wherein the defect, disorder or disease is selected from a cartilage or osteochondral defect in the knee; and

wherein the method comprises implanting into said subject a solid substrate for promoting cell or tissue growth or restored function, wherein the solid substrate comprises a coral or coral derivative, wherein the solid substrate is characterized by a specific fluid uptake capacity value of at least 75% or is characterized by having a contact angle value of less than 60 degrees, when in contact with a fluid,

and is further characterized by

at least one substantially flat cross section at a terminus of said solid substrate;

a conical or pyramidal frustum shape; and

tapered sides at an angle of from about 0.75 to about 4 degrees from a longitudinal axis along said solid substrate.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said implanting is conducted at an angle from an axis perpendicular to the surface of the tissue site being thus treated.

17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said tapered sides are at an angle of about two degrees from a longitudinal axis along said solid substrate.

18. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said solid coral or coral derivative is isolated from a Porites species, a Goniopora , a Millepora species or an Acropora species.

19. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the solid substrate comprises a hollow or hollows along a Cartesian coordinate axis of said solid substrate.

20. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said solid substrate is an allograft or autograft.

21. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said solid substrate has a height of about 5-40 mm.

22. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said solid substrate has a height of about 1 cm to about 5 cm.

23. A method for treating a defect, disorder or disease in a subject in need,

wherein the defect, disorder or disease is selected from osteoarthritis of the ankle or great toe; and

wherein the method comprises implanting into said subject a solid substrate for promoting cell or tissue growth or restored function, wherein the solid substrate comprises a coral or coral derivative, wherein the solid substrate is characterized by a specific fluid uptake capacity value of at least 75% or is characterized by having a contact angle value of less than 60 degrees, when in contact with a fluid,

and is further characterized by

at least one substantially flat cross section at a terminus of said solid substrate;

a conical or pyramidal frustum shape; and

tapered sides at an angle of from about 0.75 to about 4 degrees from a longitudinal axis along said solid substrate.

24. The method according to claim 23 , wherein said implanting is conducted at an angle from an axis perpendicular to the surface of the tissue site being thus treated.

25. The method according to claim 23 , wherein the defect, disorder or disease is osteoarthritis of the great toe.

26. The method according to claim 23 , wherein said tapered sides are at an angle of about two degrees from a longitudinal axis along said solid substrate.

27. The method according to claim 23 , wherein said solid coral or coral derivative is isolated from a Porites species, a Goniopora , a Millepora species or an Acropora species.

28. The method according to claim 23 , wherein the solid substrate comprises a hollow or hollows along a Cartesian coordinate axis of said solid substrate.

29. The method according to claim 23 , wherein said solid substrate is an allograft or autograft.

30. The method according to claim 23 , wherein said solid substrate has a height of about 5-40 mm.

31. The method according to claim 23 , wherein said solid substrate has a height of about 1 cm to about 5 cm.

32. A method for treating a defect, disorder or disease in a subject in need,

wherein the defect, disorder or disease is costochondritis dissecans; and

wherein the method comprises implanting into said subject a solid substrate for promoting cell or tissue growth or restored function, wherein the solid substrate comprises a coral or coral derivative, wherein the solid substrate is characterized by a specific fluid uptake capacity value of at least 75% or is characterized by having a contact angle value of less than 60 degrees, when in contact with a fluid,

and is further characterized by

at least one substantially flat cross section at a terminus of said solid substrate;

a conical or pyramidal frustum shape; and

tapered sides at an angle of from about 0.75 to about 4 degrees from a longitudinal axis along said solid substrate.

33. The method according to claim 32 , wherein said implanting is conducted at an angle from an axis perpendicular to the surface of the tissue site being thus treated.

34. The method according to claim 32 , wherein said tapered sides are at an angle of about two degrees from a longitudinal axis along said solid substrate.

35. The method according to claim 32 , wherein said solid coral or coral derivative is isolated from a Porites species, a Goniopora , a Millepora species or an Acropora species.

36. The method according to claim 32 , wherein the solid substrate comprises a hollow or hollows along a Cartesian coordinate axis of said solid substrate.

37. The method according to claim 32 , wherein said solid substrate is an allograft or autograft.

38. The method according to claim 32 , wherein said solid substrate has a height of about 5-40 mm.

39. The method according to claim 32 , wherein said solid substrate has a height of about 1 cm to about 5 cm.