Patent ID: 7455672

Claim:
A method for promoting bone growth between at least two adjacent bone masses with an implant surgically implanted in the area to be joined, said method comprising the steps of: providing the implant having opposed first and second surfaces for placement between and in contact with the adjacent bone masses, a mid-longitudinal axis, and a hollow chamber between the first and second surfaces, the hollow chamber being adapted to hold bone growth promoting material, the hollow chamber being along at least a portion of the mid-longitudinal axis of the implant, each of the first and second surfaces having at least one opening in communication with the hollow chamber into which bone from the adjacent bone masses grows; placing the implant between the adjacent bone masses and in contact with the adjacent bone masses to be joined by bone growth; and energizing the implant with an energizer to promote bone growth from adjacent bone mass to adjacent bone mass through the first and second surfaces and through at least a portion of the hollow chamber at the mid-longitudinal axis of the implant.