Patent ID: 7052517

Claim:
A method for preparing a biological composite, comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus comprising a plunger having tabs for mating; a material cartridge comprising a chamber, having a proximal end and a distal end and, within said chamber, calcium phosphate material having macro-, meso- and micro-porosity, the proximal end having a piston for mating with said plunger; the distal end of the chamber being closed by a dismountable end cap, the end cap being provided with a point for attachment of an aspiration needle, placing the aspiration needle into a situs of bone marrow; attaching the aspiration needle to the dismountable end cap; drawing a vacuum in the material chamber comprising attaching a second piston syringe to the proximal end of said material chamber; and operating said second syringe to draw a vacuum in the material chamber to cause aspiration of bone marrow into the material chamber in an amount sufficient to substantially wet the biologically compatible material to form a biologically compatible composite; and maintaining the aspirate in contact with the biologically compatible composite under conditions effective to cause at least partial coalescence of the marrow within the composite.