Bone implantable devices and methodologies permit careful application of
biologically active substances and management of bone growth processes.
The device includes a body defining a carrier receiving area for locating
adjacent bone. Carrier material is located in the carrier receiving area.
Substance is delivered onto carrier material through a port. A pathway
delivers substance from the carrier receiving area to the bone surface.
The body may be in the form of a spinal fusion cage, facet fusion screw,
artificial joint, bone fixation plate, interbody graft, IM nail, hip
stem, or other bone-to-bone appliances or bone-to-device appliances. In
use, carrier is installed in the carrier receiving area of the device.
The device is then implanted adjacent a bone. The substance is applied to
the carrier for subsequent delivery to the bone. By doping carrier
material after device implantation, inadvertent contact of the substance
with non-target bone is more easily eliminated.