Inventors:
John H. Brekke - Duluth MN, US
Gino Bradica - Claremont NH, US
Scott M. Goldman - Paoli PA, US
Assignee:
Kensey Nash Corporation - Exton PA
International Classification:
A61F 2/02
Abstract:
An implantable device for facilitating the healing of voids in bone, cartilage and soft tissue is disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes a cartilage region comprising a polyelectrolytic complex joined with a subchondral bone region. The cartilage region, of this embodiment, enhances the environment for chondrocytes to grow articular cartilage; while the subchondral bone region enhances the environment for cells which migrate into that region's macrostructure and which differentiate into osteoblasts. A hydrophobic barrier exists between the regions, of this embodiment. In one embodiment, the polyelectrolytic complex transforms to hydrogel, following the implant procedure.