Cancellous Bone Treated with Collagenase and Essentially Free of Blood Cells

Abstract

A bone implant comprising cancellous bone that is essentially free of blood cells, and which has been treated with at least a loosening agent, such as collagenase and/or a digestive enzyme, for a time and at a concentration to loosen the osteogenic cells in the cancellous bone matrix. The osteogenic cells in the matrix are viable cells. The treatment of the cancellous bone with at least one loosening agent enables the osteogenic cells to be more available for carrying our their osteogenic function and to provide for an increased rate of bone formation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bone implant, comprising:
 cancellous bone, said cancellous bone being essentially free of blood cells, said bone having been treated with at least one loosening agent for a time and at a concentration to loosen the osteogenic cells in the cancellous bone matrix, said osteogenic cells in the bone matrix being viable cells.   
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1  wherein said at least one loosening agent is selected from the group consisting of collagenase and digestive enzymes. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 2  wherein said at least one loosening agent is collagenase. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 3  wherein said bone is treated with said collagenase at a concentration of from about 0.1 mg/ml to about 3.0 mg/ml. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 4  wherein said bone is treated with said collagenase at a concentration of from about 1.0 mg/ml to about 3.0 mg/ml. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 3  wherein said bone is treated with said collagenase for a period of time from about 5 min. to about 3 hrs. 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 6  wherein said bone is treated with said collagenase for a period of time from about 5 min. to about 30 min. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 3  wherein said bone is treated with said collagenase at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml for 10 minutes.