| abstract |
Healing of bony defects is promoted by suspending osteoblast precursor cells (OPCs) in a porous matrix, which is implanted in the bony defects. The OPCs may be transformed to express a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), such as BMP2. Devices are also disclosed for introducing the OPCs into bony defects. One device is a cannula (100) having concentric passageways, such that an endoscope (122) can be introduced through one of the passageways, while the OPCs are introduced through the endoscope or through another passageway without increasing pressure on the OPCs to such an extent that the cells are damaged. A cartridge unit (126) can be inserted through an endoscope to gently advance a cellular suspension through a catheter into the bone. |