| abstract |
The invention is directed to shaped bone void filler pieces having defined porosity. In embodiments of the invention, the shaped bone void filler pieces are presented substantially as wedges, wafers, and axisymmetric bone void filler pieces. The bone void filler pieces further comprise surface and internal features such as recesses, channels, and/or voids. The bone void filler pieces optionally comprise demineralized bone matrix. The invention further is directed to methods of making and methods of using the bone void filler pieces. In another embodiment of the invention, the bone void filler pieces are produced using three dimensional printing methods. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the bone void filler pieces are manufactured with selected porogens integrated therein, which optionally are decomposed following production through a heat-mediated decomposition process, resulting in voids in the bone void filler spaces previously occupied by the porogen(s). |