Patent ID: 7399739

Claim:
A vertebral augmentation device which comprises: a) a flowable vertebral augmentation composition for injection within a vertebral body repair site, the flowable composition comprising: (i) 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, wherein the support elements are fabricated from ceramic, metal the metal being stainless steel, cobalt-chrome alloy, titanium-nickel alloy, titanium-nickel-aluminum alloy, tantalum or combination thereof, preformed solid polymer, or combination thereof (ii) an amount of biocompatible carrier sufficient to render the augmentation composition flowable, the carrier having the capacity to be cleared from the repair site; and, b) a containment device, the containment device accepting the flowable vertebral augmentation composition.