US Patent 7399739 Vertebral augmentation composition and method

A flowable vertebral augmentation composition for the treatment and repair of a vertebral body defect, e.g., an osteoporotic condition, contains biocompatible, optionally osteoconductive, support elements that are resistant to deformation or fracture under the normal physiologic loads to which the repair site is subject, the support elements being incorporable into the repair site, at least one osteoinductive susbtance and an amount of biocompatible carrier sufficient to render the augmentation composition flowable, the carrier having the capacity to be cleared from the repair site.