Intended for U.S. health care professionals only
The Science of MACI.
The Choice of Delivery.
The first and only FDA-approved autologous cell-based cartilage therapy for arthroscopic delivery.
MACI provides a reproducible approach to cartilage restoration in the knee and can now be delivered arthroscopically in patients with ≤4 cm2 accessible defects.1,2
MACI offers 2 implant delivery options: minimally invasive arthroscopy and mini-arthrotomy
Watch these videos to learn more about delivering MACI
A step-by-step guide to MACI implantation
Take a small sample of healthy cartilage from a non–weight-bearing area of the patient’s knee
Typical harvest sites include the intercondylar notch and the proximal aspect of the medial and/or lateral femoral condyle
Click a delivery technique below to learn more
Send the sample to the Vericel facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a state-of-the-art cell-processing facility that focuses on product quality and safety
Chondrocytes are extracted from the sample, expanded, and uniformly seeded onto a resorbable Type I/III collagen membrane using proprietary methods
MACI delivers a controlled, uniform dose of cells with a density of 500,000 to 1,000,000 per cm2
On the day of the procedure, the MACI implant is brought by courier to the treatment facility for delivery through the surgical technique that’s appropriate for the patient
Position spinal needle in center of cartilage defect
Measure defect size
Place the appropriately sized MACI Cannula Assembly
Score cartilage defect using the appropriately sized MACI Arthroscopic Cutter
Debride cartilage defect using the preferred Curette(s)
Dry cartilage defect with spongy tip of MACI Applicator
Shape MACI implant using the appropriately sized MACI Cutter
Load MACI implant cell side up on MACI V-Shuttle Delivery Device
Apply a thin layer of fibrin sealant to cartilage defect
Deliver MACI implant via MACI V-Shuttle Delivery Device
Adjust placement of MACI implant using silicone end of MACI Applicator
Allow fibrin sealant to set
Please see the MACI Open and MACI Arthro surgical training manuals for complete details on how to successfully deliver MACI using a mini-arthrotomy or arthroscopic technique.
Send the sample to the Vericel facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a state-of-the-art cell-processing facility that focuses on product quality and safety
Chondrocytes are extracted from the sample, expanded, and uniformly seeded onto a resorbable Type I/III collagen membrane using proprietary methods
MACI delivers a controlled, uniform dose of cells with a density of 500,000 to 1,000,000 per cm2
On the day of the procedure, the MACI implant is brought by courier to the treatment facility for delivery through the surgical technique that’s appropriate for the patient
Using the MACI Open Surgical Cutting Templates and Mallet to create a uniform shape in the knee cartilage defect, debride back to healthy, stable cartilage with a Ring Curette
Using the MACI Open Surgical Cutting Templates, Mallet, and Cutting Block, template the MACI implant to the exact size of the debrided knee cartilage defect
Position MACI and secure in place using fibrin sealant; suture fixation is not required
The MACI implant completely fills the defect
Please see the MACI Open and MACI Arthro surgical training manuals for complete details on how to successfully deliver MACI using a mini-arthrotomy or arthroscopic technique.
MACI instrumentation is designed to support the delivery technique you choose.
MACI Arthro instrumentation is designed to create a reproducible technique for arthroscopic delivery while maintaining cell viability on the implant.3
With a range of Cannula, Cutter, and V-shuttle™ sizes to address accessible defects of the knee that are ≤4 cm2, MACI Arthro instruments are packaged separately to provide surgeons with the option to select the appropriate tools for each case. Ask your MACI Representative for more information.
Important note: MACI Arthro instrumentation is not available or appropriate for all MACI implantation procedures. The content presented here is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
MACI Arthro Instrument Symbols
MACI Open instrumentation is intended to assist with delivery of MACI via mini-arthrotomy. Ask your MACI Representative for more information.
Important note: MACI Open instrumentation is not available or appropriate for all MACI implantation procedures. The content presented here is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
MACI can be delivered to a wide range of knee cartilage defects via mini-arthrotomy and can now be delivered arthroscopically in patients with ≤4 cm2 accessible defects
Condyle
Trochlea
Patella
References: 1. Data On File (design history files 21-087-TR and 21-081-TR). 2. Saris D, Price A, Widuchowski W, et al; SUMMIT study group. Matrix-applied characterized autologous cultured chondrocytes versus microfracture: two-year follow-up of a prospective randomized trial. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42(6):1384-1394. 3. Brittberg M, Recker D, Ilgenfritz J, Saris DBF; SUMMIT Extension Study Group. Matrix-applied characterized autologous cultured chondrocytes versus microfracture: five-year follow-up of a prospective randomized trial. Am J Sports Med. 2018;46(6):1343-1351.