| abstract |
A non-biodegradable implant for the replacement and regeneration of biological tissue in the shape of a plug, comprising a base section (2) configured for anchoring in bone tissue, a middle section (3) configured for replacing cartilage tissue of an intermediate and deep zone of the cartilage layer and having a thickness of at least 0.2 mm, and a top section (4) configured for growing cartilage tissue onto and into, thus regenerating a superficial zone of the cartilage layer, wherein the middle and top section comprise the same thermoplastic elastomeric material, which is porous in the top section, and non-porous in the middle section, wherein the thermoplastic elastomeric material comprises a linear block copolymer comprising urethane and urea groups, and is substantially free of an added peptide compound having cartilage regenerative properties, and wherein the base section material comprises one of a biocompatible metal, such as titanium or titanium alloy, ceramic, such as sintered crystalline hydroxylapatite, mineral, such as phosphate mineral, and polymer, optionally a hydrogel polymer, and combinations thereof. |