The registration of the ChondroCelect Harvester™ follows the recent approval of ChondroCelect in Europe as the first cell-based product for cartilage repair to have received a European marketing authorization. ChondroCelect consists of characterized cultured chondrocytes derived from the patient’s own cartilage. The process of producing ChondroCelect starts with a small cartilage sample taken by a surgeon. The standardization of the biopsy procedure and the quality and consistency of the cartilage sample are important elements for the final quality of the ChondroCelect end product. The ChondroCelect Harvester is specifically designed to allow harvesting cartilage biopsies from the knee in an easy and consistent manner, avoiding damage to the surrounding tissue and underlying bone. The specific design and ease of use of the ChondroCelect Harvester™ is expected to set a new standard in cartilage biopsy taking.
The Harvester was invented by and developed in close collaboration with Dr. Yves Fortems, clinical advisor to the company, and the medical device company MedInvents, who will produce the device. The device will be provided to the orthopedic surgeons as part of the ChondroCelect biopsy kit.
Dr. Yves Fortems, inventor of the ChondroCelect Harvester™, comments: “In designing the Harvester, we have specifically focused on the ease-of-use of the device in combination with delivering a superior and consistent quality of the cartilage biopsy. The quality of the cartilage biopsy is known to be an important factor for the quality of the ChondroCelect product.”
