Nonwoven tissue scaffold
View Patent ↗A biocompatible meniscal repair device is disclosed. The tissue repair device includes a scaffold adapted to be placed in contact with a defect in a meniscus, the scaffold comprising a high-density, dry laid nonwoven polymeric material and a biocompatible foam. The scaffold provides increased suture pull-out strength.
1. A method of surgically repairing meniscal defects, comprising:
providing a biocompatible tissue repair scaffold including a nonwoven polymeric material, the nonwoven polymeric material consisting of a density in the range of about 120 mg/cc to 360 mg/cc, and the tissue repair scaffold having a modulus of elasticity greater than 1.5 MPA about 1.5 MPA and a suture pull-out strength greater than 6 N or about 6 N;
positioning the tissue repair scaffold in contact with a tissue defect in a meniscus; and
fixing tissue repair scaffold in position with sutures,
wherein the repair scaffold provides increased suture pull-out strength and thereby promotes healing of the meniscus.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one bioactive substance effective to stimulate cell growth is implanted with the tissue repair scaffold.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the bioactive substance is selected from the group consisting of a platelet rich plasma, cartilage-derived morphogenic proteins, recombinant human growth factors, and combinations thereof.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the bioactive substance is rhGDF.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the bioactive substance is rhGDF-5.