Cartiva™ SCI

Cartiva SCI is a proprietary polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cryogel device that mimics natural cartilage.  The durable, viscoelastic surface replacement provides flexible cushioning intended to maintain natural joint mechanics by repairing focal cartilage defects while minimizing the resection of healthy tissue.

Due to the similar properties of PVA cryogels to native cartilage, joint resurfacing with Cartiva SCI does not require replacement of the opposing articular surface. The device articulates against natural cartilage with no apparent damage.  Consequently, joint resurfacing with this device is simple, does not require significant removal of healthy tissue or its replacement with a durable bearing surface, and thus typically results in nominal surgical trauma and rapid recovery.¹

The device is implanted in a procedure similar to that used for osteochondral autograft or allograft transplantation. That is, the implant is placed in a pre-drilled hole to resurface the damaged area of cartilage.

To date, Cartiva SCI has been used primarily to treat patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and the carpometacarpal joint.  Several thousand patients have been treated since 2002.

*Cartiva SCI is approved for use in international markets, but is not currently approved for sale or distribution in the United States.

¹ Maiotti M, et al. The Use of Poli-Hydrogel Cylindrical Implants to Treat Deep Chondral Defects of the Knee. Presented at: Arthroscopy Assoc.of N Amer, Vancouver, BC; 2005.