Patent Publication Number: US-9839889-B2

Title: Mixer gun system and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/445,988, filed on Apr. 13, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference herein, in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to medical devices for bone repair, and more particularly to a medical system and method for mixing and dispensing bone cement or other materials. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many medical procedures employ medical grade cement in connection with the restoration and strengthening of bone structures. During such procedures, cement is typically dispensed to a bone to fill in voids or spaces in the bone or between medical devices or implants attached to or embedded within the bone. These dispensing devices may include systems as simple as syringes and as complex as electronically controlled valves. 
     Due to the medical nature of some procedures, the amount and placement of the fluids, such as, cement, need to be supervised carefully. Despite the simplicity or complexity of the dispensing system, control over when, where and how much cement is dispensed is of concern. Currently, there is a need for an easier bone cement mixer and dispensing tool that would permit for fewer steps or less complicated steps in a mixing and dispensing process. This disclosure describes improvements over these prior art technologies in providing improved systems for dispensing fluids. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, a mixer gun system and method for mixing/infusing bone cement components are provided. In one embodiment, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, a mixer gun system is provided. The system comprises a removable holder cap configured to separately store two or more components in separate chambers formed therein. The components are selectively releasable through channels fluidly communicating with the separate chambers. The components are constituent materials for bone cement. A body forms a mixing chamber therein and is configured to receive the holder cap. The mixing chamber includes an opening corresponding with the channels for the separate chambers. A piston is disposed within the mixing chamber. A plunger is coupled to the piston and is configured to be biased toward the mixing chamber such that when the components are released into the mixing chamber from the holder cap a pressure developed by a biased motion of the plunger and piston infuses the components to form the bone cement and, upon resetting the plunger and the piston, the bone cement is dispensed from the mixing chamber by the same biased motion. 
     In one embodiment, the system comprises a removable holder cap configured to separately store two components in separate chambers formed therein. The two components are selectively releasable through channels fluidly communicating with the separate chambers. The two components are constituent materials for bone cement. The separate chambers are configured to receive a first component of the bone cement and a second component of the bone cement, wherein the first component includes a powder disposed in a tray and the second component includes a monomer disposed in a vial. A break device is mounted on the holder cap. The break device includes one or more tools configured to puncture or cut a surface of component containers during installation of the holder cap to concurrently release the first component and the second component from the separate chambers. A body forms a mixing chamber therein and is configured to receive the holder cap. The mixing chamber includes at least one opening corresponding with the channels for the separate chambers, and the body includes a handle. A trigger is pivotally coupled to the handle. A rotating end cap is rotatably connected to the holder cap and is configured to provide fluid communication between the separate chambers and the mixing chamber in a first position and prevent fluid communication between the separate chambers and the mixing chamber in a second position. A piston is disposed within the mixing chamber. A plunger includes a shaft with a threaded portion, the plunger being coupled to the piston and configured to be biased toward the mixing chamber with a spring. A switch is pivotally coupled to the body and engages the trigger wherein the switch also engages the threaded portion to prevent the biased motion of the plunger. The trigger activates the switch to release the plunger to provide a biased motion such that when the two or more components are released into the mixing chamber from the holder cap, a pressure developed by the biased motion of the plunger and piston infuses the two components to form the bone cement. Upon resetting the plunger and the piston, the bone cement is dispensed from the mixing chamber by the same biased motion. 
     In one embodiment, a method for delivering bone cement includes providing a mixer gun system having a removable holder cap configured to separately store two or more components in separate chambers formed therein, the two or more components being selectively releasable through channels fluidly communicating with the separate chambers, the two or more components being constituent materials for bone cement, a body forming a mixing chamber therein and configured to receive the holder cap, the mixing chamber including at least one opening corresponding with the channels for the separate chambers, a piston disposed within the mixing chamber, and a plunger is coupled to the piston and configured to be biased toward the mixing chamber; infusing the two or more components by releasing the two or components into the mixing chamber from the separate chambers and a developing pressure by a biased motion of the plunger and piston to form a bone cement; resetting the plunger and the piston to prepare for dispensing the bone cement; and dispensing the bone cement from the mixing chamber by the same biased motion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the specific description accompanied by the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view in partial cross-section of one embodiment of components of a mixer gun system in accordance with the present principles; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of a rotating holder end cap showing two configurations corresponding with an open and a closed condition in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a powder tray as an example of one component of bone cement in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a holder cap showing two components therein and a breaking device configured to concurrently breach containers of the components in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a dispensing nozzle of the system shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing nozzle shown in  FIG. 5  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The exemplary embodiments of a mixer gun and related methods are discussed in terms of medical devices for the treatment of skeletal injuries, disorders and repairs and more particularly, in terms of a mixing and dispensing gun and method for bone repair. It is envisioned that the system and method may be employed in applications such as correction of cracks, fissures, voids, e.g., due to osteoporosis or other diseases or injuries. In addition, the system and method may be employed with the placement of support structures or devices attached to or embedded within bone. For example, such structures may include pins, screws, replacement joints (e.g., of the hip, knee, shoulder), etc. 
     In one embodiment, a mixer gun creates a loading mechanism for mixing substances, e.g., a powder and a monomer, an epoxy and a catalyst, etc. and provides easy introduction into a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is employed to provide pressure to infuse one material into the other, e.g., infuse the monomer into the powder. A driving force of the mechanism includes a high force spring that can be controlled with a trigger, although other biasing mechanisms may be employed. In a particularly useful embodiment, a holder cap is employed to receive two or more containers, which hold the materials to be mixed. The holder cap is removably installed on the mixing gun and fluidly communicates with the mixing chamber on a selective basis. The two or more containers are breached to permit their contents to enter the mixing chamber. A trigger is activated to release a plunger, which pressurizes and mixes the contents of the two or more containers. 
     After the infusion/mixing, the plunger is reset. The holder cap is removed and replaced with a dispensing nozzle. The trigger can now be employed to dispense the mixed material from the mixing chamber through the dispensing nozzle. In one embodiment, the material being dispensed includes bone cement. The bone cement may be introduced internally or externally to a repair site in a patient during a procedure. 
     It is contemplated that one or all of the components of the surgical system may be disposable, peel-pack, pre-packed sterile devices. One or all of the components of the surgical system may be reusable. The surgical system may be configured as a kit with multiple sized and configured components. 
     It is envisioned that the present disclosure may be employed to treat or repair bone injuries or disorders such as, for example, osteoporosis, joint replacement, fracture repairs, bone breaks, etc. It is contemplated that the present disclosure may be employed with other osteal and bone related applications, including those associated with diagnostics and therapeutics, such as the delivery of a therapeutic agents to a site for treatment or the delivery of radio opaque markers for tracking fluid once it is released into a patient. It is further contemplated that the disclosed surgical system and methods may be alternatively employed in a surgical treatment with a patient in a prone or supine position, and/or employ various surgical approaches, including anterior, posterior, posterior mid-line, direct lateral, postero-lateral, antero-lateral approaches, etc. in any body region. The system and methods of the present disclosure may also be used on animals, bone models and other non-living substrates, such as, for example, in training, testing and demonstration. 
     The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure. Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the references “upper” and “lower” are relative and used only in the context to the other, and are not necessarily “superior” and “inferior”. 
     Further, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, “treating” or “treatment” of a disease or condition refers to performing a procedure that may include administering one or more drugs to a patient (human, normal or otherwise or other mammal), in an effort to alleviate signs or symptoms of the disease or condition. Alleviation can occur prior to signs or symptoms of the disease or condition appearing, as well as after their appearance. Thus, treating or treatment includes preventing or prevention of disease or undesirable condition (e.g., preventing the disease from occurring in a patient, who may be predisposed to the disease but has not yet been diagnosed as having it). In addition, treating or treatment does not require complete alleviation of signs or symptoms, does not require a cure, and specifically includes procedures that have only a marginal effect on the patient. Treatment can include inhibiting the disease, e.g., arresting its development, or relieving the disease, e.g., causing regression of the disease. For example, treatment can include reducing acute or chronic inflammation; alleviating pain and mitigating and inducing re-growth of new ligament, bone and other tissues; as an adjunct in surgery; and/or any repair procedure. Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the term “tissue” includes soft tissue, ligaments, tendons, cartilage and/or bone unless specifically referred to otherwise. 
     The following discussion includes a description of a mixer gun system and related methods of employing the system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Alternate embodiments are also disclosed. Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. Turning now to  FIGS. 1-6 , there are illustrated components of a surgical system, such as, for example, a mixer gun system  10  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
     The components of system  10  can be fabricated from biologically acceptable materials suitable for medical applications, including metals, synthetic polymers, ceramics and bone material and/or their composites, depending on the particular application and/or preference of a medical practitioner. For example, the components of system  10 , individually or collectively, can be fabricated from materials such as stainless steel alloys, commercially pure titanium, titanium alloys, Grade 5 titanium, super-elastic titanium alloys, cobalt-chrome alloys, stainless steel alloys, superelastic metallic alloys (e.g., Nitinol, super elasto-plastic metals, such as GUM METAL® manufactured by Toyota Material Incorporated of Japan), ceramics and composites thereof such as calcium phosphate (e.g., SKELITE™ manufactured by Biologix Inc.), thermoplastics such as polyaryletherketone (PAEK) including polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polyetherketone (PEK), carbon-PEEK composites, PEEK-BaSO 4  polymeric rubbers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), fabric, silicone, polyurethane, silicone-polyurethane copolymers, polymeric rubbers, polyolefin rubbers, hydrogels, semi-rigid and rigid materials, elastomers, rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoset elastomers, elastomeric composites, rigid polymers including polyphenylene, polyamide, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyethylene, epoxy, bone material including autograft, allograft, xenograft or transgenic cortical and/or corticocancellous bone, and tissue growth or differentiation factors, partially resorbable materials, such as, for example, composites of metals and calcium-based ceramics, composites of PEEK and calcium based ceramics, composites of PEEK with resorbable polymers, totally resorbable materials, such as, for example, calcium based ceramics such as calcium phosphate, tri-calcium phosphate (TCP), hydroxyapatite (HA)-TCP, calcium sulfate, or other resorbable polymers such as polyaetide, polyglycolide, polytyrosine carbonate, polycaroplaetohe and their combinations. Various components of system  10  may have material composites, including the above materials, to achieve various desired characteristics such as strength, rigidity, elasticity, compliance, biomechanical performance, durability and radiolucency or imaging preference. The components of system  10 , individually or collectively, may also be fabricated from a heterogeneous material such as a combination of two or more of the above-described materials. The components of system  10  may be monolithically formed, integrally connected or include fastening elements and/or instruments, as described herein. 
     System  10  is employed, for example, with an open, mini-open or minimally invasive surgical technique to fill voids, provide patches, attach prosthetic devices, etc., or any other bone related repairs. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a partial cross-sectional view of the mixer gun system  10  is illustratively shown in accordance with one embodiment. System  10  includes a body  12 , which forms and encloses a mixing chamber  12 . The body  12  includes a handle  14 , which extends from the body  12  and provides a support position for depressing a trigger  16 . The handle  14  and the body  12  may be integrally formed or may be separate parts functionally attached to one another. The trigger  16  is pivotally connected to the handle  14  and is biased forward by a biasing device, such as, e.g., a spring or elastic band (not shown). The body  12  includes a threaded exterior distal end portion  18 , which is configured to threadedly receive one or more accessories for the system  10 . Other connection configurations are also contemplated, e.g., a bayonet connection system, a snap-fit connection system, etc. The body  12  is further configured to receive a plunger  20  through a proximal end portion  22 . 
     The plunger  20  is coupled to a piston head  24  or may be integrally formed therewith. The piston head  24  may include a seal  26  about its periphery, which engages a wall of a mixing chamber  28 , which is an interior cavity, formed by the body  12 . The seal may include a gasket, an O-ring or the like. The plunger  20  is biased by a biasing device  30 , which may include a spring, a deformable elastic material, etc. The biasing device  30  may be seated against the proximal end of the body  12 . The plunger  20  includes a shaft  32  having a knob, rear handle or base  34  formed or mounted on a proximal end  35  thereof. The knob  34  is provided for ease of turning the plunger  20  to finely adjust a position of the plunger  20 . The knob  34  may also provide a stand or base platform on which the system  10  can rest. In use, the system  10  may be rested on knob  34 . In this way, fluid from chambers  56  and  58  may employ gravity when permitted to flow to fill the mixing chamber  28 . 
     The shaft  32  includes a centrally disposed threaded portion  36  with threads  38  of sufficient size to permit an engagement portion  42  of a switch  40  to restrain longitudinal motion of the plunger  20 . Other mechanical structures may be employed other than threads  38  including but not limited to a plurality of openings, protrusions, loops, etc. Plunger  20  may be sealed at its entry position into the mixing chamber  28  to inadvertent prevent leakage. 
     In one embodiment, mixing chamber  28  includes two ports or openings  48 , which selectively, fluidly communicate with chambers  56  and  58  of a holder cap  70 . It should be understood that the mixing chamber  28  and/or the holder cap  70  may be configured to permit more than two chambers  56  and  58  so as to allow a greater number of components to be concurrently mixed or infused. Holder cap  70  includes internal threads that engage external threads  18  of the body  12 . As mentioned, other engagement techniques may be employed instead of or in addition to threaded connections. 
     At an interface  51  region between the holder cap  70  and the body  12 , rotating cap end  50  is provided. The rotating cap end  50  includes holes  84  depicted in  FIG. 2 , which correspond with positions and number of chambers  56 ,  58 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the rotating cap end  50  includes a disk-shape having holes  84  that rotate with the rotating cap end  50 . In a first position  80 , the rotating cap end  50  prevents material from moving between channels  54  of the chambers  56  and  58  and the openings  48  in the mixing chamber  28 . In a second position  82 , the rotating cap end  50  is rotated to move the holes  84  to be in alignment (or partial alignment) with the channels  54  of the chambers  56  and  58  and the openings  48  to permit fluid communication therebetween. The rotating cap end  50  may be included as part of the holder cap  70  or may be connected as part of the body  12 . 
     The holder cap  70  is configured to receive a first component  60  in the chamber  56  and a second component  62  in the chamber  58 . The components  60  and  62  may be in liquid form or may include packets or vials of materials. In one embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , component  60  includes a powder tray  75  having a foil or plastic seal  74 . The powder tray  75  may be formed from a polyethylene terephtha late glycol (PETG) material although other materials may be employed. The powder tray  75  may include a bone cement component  76 , such as a powder  76  or other material employed in forming a bone cement. 
     In this example, the bone cement may be formed from a powder (e.g., pre-polymerized PMMA and/or PMMA or MMA co-polymer beads and/or amorphous powder, radio-opacifer, initiator) and a liquid (MMA monomer, stabilizer, inhibitor). The two components  60 ,  62  are mixed and a free radical polymerization occurs of the monomer when the initiator is mixed with the accelerator. The bone cement viscosity changes over time from a runny liquid into a dough-like material that can be applied and then finally hardens into solid hardened material. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , component  62  may include a material which when mixed or infused with the component  60  forms bone cement for medical use. In one embodiment, component  62  includes a glass vial ( 78 ) including a monomer employed to form bone cement with the powder  76  ( FIG. 3 ). Component  62  may be delivered into chamber  58  as a liquid or in a container, such as the vial or the like. An end cap  72  may be included to close off the chambers  56  and  58  to store the components  60  and  62  therein. In one embodiment, the holder cap  70  is prepared in advance of a procedure by inserting component  60  and component  62  in the chambers  56  and  58 , respectively, in the holder cap  70 . The loaded holder cap  70  may be shrink-wrapped or otherwise configured or readied for use during a procedure. 
     During a procedure, the holder cap  70  is loaded (or may be preloaded as described) with components  60  and  62 . The holder cap  70  is installed on the body  12  and the channels  54  are aligned with the openings  48 . The channel may include ring shapes so that they are always aligned with the opening  48  despite the rotational position of the holder cap  70 . The rotating holder cap end  50  is rotated its holes  84  with channels  54  and openings  48  until a last turn of the holder cap  70  during installation. Turning the holder cap  70  onto the threads  18  activates a break device  90  ( FIG. 4 ) to open up the components  60  and  62  to permit flow of their contents into the mixing chamber  28 . Continuing to install the holder cap  70 , friction on the last turn causes the rotating holder cap end  50  to be misaligned to close off the holder cap  70  to prevent matter from traversing between the chambers  28 ,  56  and  58 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a top view of the holder cap  70  is shown with the end cap  72  removed to show components  60  and  62  loaded in chambers  56  and  58 . In this embodiment, the components  60  and  62  are provided in containers, component  60  in a powder tray  75  and component  62  in a vial  78 . The containers may include scorable or breakable features or seals that when breached by a break/tear device  90  cause their contents to flow or move into the mixing chamber  28 . The device  90  may be mounted on a side wall the holder cap  70 . The device  90  is biased by, e.g., springs  92  in a direction away from the chambers  56  and  58 . The device  90  may include a locking mechanism (not shown) to prevent prematurely puncturing the containers of the components  60  and  62  when preloaded. The device  90  includes appropriate breaking or tearing heads  86  and  88  that correspond to the types of containers deployed in chambers  56  and  58 . In the illustrative example shown in  FIG. 4 , head  86  includes a pointed tool to puncture and/or tear the seal  74  to release the contents, and head  88  includes a hammer tool  88  to punctures or crack the vial  78  to release the contents. The break device  90  may include a seal at points where it enters the chambers  56  and  58  to prevent unwanted leakage. 
     The break device  90  may be activated by manually advancing the device  90  or a portion  91  of the device may engage a portion of the body  12  when the holder cap  70  is being installed on the body  12 . For example, the portion  91  may hit a strike point or other position to advance and hold the break device  90  to permit the contents of the components containers to flow into the mixing chamber without leakage. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the contents of the chambers  56  and  58  flow into the mixing chamber  28  to fill or partially fill the chamber  28 . The rotating holder cap end  50  is rotated to close off the openings  48 . Trigger  16  is activated (pulled) to actuate the switch  40 , which is pivotally connected to the handle  14  or body  12 . Pulling the trigger  16  rotates the switch  40  to release the threads  38  by disengaging the engagement portion  42  of the switch  40 . The plunger  20  and the piston  24  move into the chamber  28  and increase the pressure therein to cause an infusion of the contents of components  60  and component  62 . The piston  24  may optionally be moved back and forth by employing the plunger  20  to further perturb the contents of mixing chamber  28 . The plunger  20  and piston  24  are driven by spring  30 , which causes a high pressure to be developed in the mixing chamber  28 . In some embodiments, the mixing process lasts only a few seconds before the cement is ready to be dispensed. 
     The piston  24  is moved proximally to prepare for dispensing the cement in the mixing chamber  28 . The threads  38  may be employed to assist in drawing the plunger  20  back by engaging the threads  38  with the engagement portion  42  and rotating the knob  34 . Where high pressure is developed, the rotating holder end cap  50  remains closed. The holder cap  70  may now be removed and replaced with a dispensing nozzle  100 , illustratively depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a perspective view of the dispensing nozzle  100  and a cross-sectional view of the dispensing nozzle  100  are respectively and illustratively shown. The dispensing nozzle  100  may include any configuration for dispensing bone cement or other material from the system  10  of  FIG. 1 . For example, the dispensing nozzle  100  may be employed for dispensing material, or a needle or other device may be attached to the nozzle  100  for dispensing material. Once the holder cap  70  is removed, the dispensing nozzle  100  is equipped with threads  102  or other connection mechanisms to permit the dispensing nozzle  100  to be connected to the body  12  in the same manner as the holder cap  70 . Bone cement may now be dispensed from the mixing chamber  28  by activating the trigger  16  to pivot the switch  40  to disengage the threads  38  from the engagement portion  42  as described above. By releasing the threads  38 , the spring  30  moves the plunger  20  and the piston  24  distally to dispense the contents of the mixing chamber  28  through the nozzle  100 . 
     In assembly, operation and use, system  10  is employed with a surgical procedure, such as, for a treatment of bone injuries, to provide bone repairs, to strengthen or rebuild bones, etc. It is contemplated that one or all of the components of system  10  can be delivered or implanted as a pre-assembled device or can be assembled in situ. System  10  may be completely or partially revised, removed or replaced. 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , system  10  and accessories thereof, described above, can be employed during a surgical procedure for mixing and dispensing bone cement. In use, a medical practitioner obtains access to a surgical site including a bone in any appropriate manner, such as through incision and retraction of tissues. It is envisioned that system  10  can be used in any existing surgical method or technique including open surgery, mini-open surgery, minimally invasive surgery and percutaneous surgical implantation, whereby the bone is accessed through a mini-incision, or sleeve that provides a protected passageway to the area. Once access to the surgical site is obtained, the particular surgical procedure can be performed for treating or repairing the bone. 
     An incision is made in the body of a patient and a cutting instrument (not shown) creates a surgical pathway for implantation of components of system  10 . A preparation instrument (not shown) can be employed to prepare tissue surfaces of the bone, as well as for aspiration and irrigation of a surgical region according to the requirements of a particular surgical application. 
     Holes, fractures, voids, depressions, etc. may exist in the bone or may be created in the bone as part of the procedure. After appropriate steps are taken for the treatment or repair, these holes, fractures, voids, depressions, etc. are filled with the mixed bone cement to maintain or improve the bone&#39;s structural integrity. Components of system  10 , e.g., a needle attached to dispensing nozzle  100  is delivered to the surgical site along the surgical pathway(s) and into or onto bone tissue. 
     In one embodiment, system  10  may also deliver an agent, which may be mixed in the bone cement (in, e.g., component  60  or  62 ) or delivered separately. It is envisioned that the agent may include bone growth promoting material. 
     It is contemplated that the agent may include therapeutic polynucleotides or polypeptides. It is further contemplated that the agent may include biocompatible materials, such as, for example, biocompatible metals and/or rigid polymers, such as, titanium elements, metal powders of titanium or titanium compositions, sterile bone materials, such as allograft or xenograft materials, synthetic bone materials such as coral and calcium compositions, such as HA, calcium phosphate and calcium sulfite, biologically active agents, for example, gradual release compositions such as by blending in a bioresorbable polymer that releases the biologically active agent or agents in an appropriate time dependent fashion as the polymer degrades within the patient. Suitable biologically active agents include, for example, BMP, Growth and Differentiation Factors proteins (GDF) and cytokines. The components of correction system  10  can be made of radiolucent materials such as polymers. Radiomarkers may be included for identification under x-ray, fluoroscopy, CT or other imaging techniques. It is envisioned that the agent may include one or a plurality of therapeutic agents and/or pharmacological agents for release, including sustained release, to treat, for example, pain, inflammation and degeneration. 
     It is envisioned that the use of microsurgical and image guided technologies may be employed to access, view and repair bone deterioration or damage, with the aid of the system  10 . Upon completion of the procedure, the surgical instruments and assemblies are removed and the incision is closed. 
     It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of the various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.