| abstract |
Disclosed is a product which includes calcium carbonate and bone growth factor useful for the promotion of bone formation when implanted in the body. The calcium carbonate is preferably in the form of aragonite which can be recovered from naturally occurring coral. A preferred bone growth factor of the present invention is a protein mixture purified from bone. Also disclosed is a process for the induction of bone formation which includes implanting the product in a body. The product and process of the present invention are particularly useful in hip replacement operations, knee replacement operations, spinal fusion operations, repair of periodontal defects, treatment of osteoporosis, repair of bone tumor defects and repair of bone fractures. |