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Abstract

The invention describes a method and associated apparatus for the in situ regeneration of cartilage defects.

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Background

By far the largest segment within inpatient medical care in Germany is surgery on the locomotor organs. With about 4 million interventions per year and an above-average growth of 19% per year, this treatment area has the largest number of cases.¹ The reparative therapy of cartilage defects, which can be attributed to a variety of causes, represents a considerable group of cases in this respect.

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Problem

Since hyaline articular cartilage often regenerates only incompletely, especially in adults, and at the same time an extension of the damage must be prevented, reparative interventions are usually necessary for cartilage defects. In practice, various therapeutic approaches already exist for this purpose. Previous in vitro studies have shown that electrical stimulation is beneficial for the development of cartilage structures. However, no suitable invasive electrostimulating implants are currently known for the therapy of cartilage tissue.

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Solution

Based on this observation, the inventors of the present innovation have developed a novel therapy method. The implant generates electric fields in the target tissue with the help of opposing electrodes with several segments implanted in bone.  This creates a homogeneous electric field over the cartilage defect, which has a stimulating effect on cell differentiation and thus stimulates the deposition of cartilage-specific matrix in the cartilage. The aim of the therapy method is to increase the intrinsic regenerative capacity of the cartilage tissue or to delay or even prevent the expansion of the cartilage lesion. The implant system can be surgically removed after the end of the therapy without any profound effects on the bone.

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Advantages

• invasive therapy method for strengthening the cartilage structure and
• prevention of cartilage damage or joint wear and tear

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Scope of application

Medical Technology

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Service

Companies are sought for commercial use as well as for development cooperations.