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Reamer for osteochondral allograft transplantation

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Reamer to provide continuous irrigation and reduce thermal necrosis of chondrocytes of the hyaline cartilage in OCA transplantation surgery

Project Overview

Osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation is a surgical technique used to treat focal cartilage injuries and osteochondral defects. During this procedure, a reamer or circular saw is used to excise the damaged cartilage and subchondral bone, creating a precise circular defect at the implant site. A size-matched reamer is then used to harvest a corresponding osteochondral graft from a donor cadaver. This graft is then press-fit into the patient's defect site. However, the reaming process generates significant mechanical and thermal energy, with temperatures over 45°C at the cutting interface. This thermal exposure induces chondrocyte necrosis and apoptosis in the cartilage surrounding both the recipient and donor surgical sites, compromising the cells responsible for tissue integration and regeneration. Significant chondrocyte loss can substantially reduce graft viability, impair integration of the host-to-graft interface, and worsen long-term patient outcomes. Cooling strategies such as continuous saline irrigation and complete graft submersion have demonstrated efficacy in reducing thermal chondrocyte death; however, neither approach translates easily into routine surgical practice and often requires additional personnel, time, and equipment. Therefore, there is a clinical need for a method to harvest cartilage that preserves chondrocyte viability while remaining practical and efficient for surgeons to implement intraoperatively. Addressing these limitations would ultimately improve graft integration and long-term clinical outcomes following OCA transplantation.

Team Picture

Team Photo: Left to right Charlotte Thomas, Elle Heimer, Evelyn Ojard, Renee Sobania, Emmett Jones
Team Photo: Left to right Charlotte Thomas, Elle Heimer, Evelyn Ojard, Renee Sobania, Emmett Jones

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