Activation of bone and cartilage formation

1. A system for activating osteogenic or chondrogenic activity at a tissue site in a subject, the system comprising:

a source of reduced pressure; and

a manifold formed from an open-cell reticulated foam having pore sizes between about 400 microns and about 600 microns and adapted to be fluidly connected to the source and positioned adjacent dura mater for applying reduced pressure to the dura mater of the subject adjacent the tissue site in the subject.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the manifold includes a biocompatible scaffold.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the biocompatible scaffold is a bioresorbable polymer.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the bioresorbable polymer is a polylactide-coglycolide (PLAGA) polymer or a polyethylene glycol-PLAGA copolymer.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tissue site is a bone or cartilage defect adjacent to the dura mater.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reduced pressure induces endosteum osteogenic activity.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the defect is (a) from a wound, (b) due to cancer, (c) due to a degenerative disease, or (d) congenital.

8. The system of claim 5 , wherein a biocompatible scaffold is inserted into the defect.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the biocompatible scaffold is a bioresorbable polymer.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the bioresorbable polymer is a polylactide-coglycolide (PLAGA) polymer or a polyethylene glycol-PLAGA copolymer.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the manifold is formed from a flowable material that is delivered through a manifold delivery tube to the tissue site such that the flowable material fills the defect.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the manifold is a porous, bioresorbable polymer capable of serving as a biocompatible scaffold.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reduced pressure is applied for a period of time between about 12 hours and about 3 days.

14. A system for treating a bone or cartilage defect in a subject, the system comprising:

a source of reduced pressure; and

a manifold formed from an open-cell reticulated foam having pore sizes between about 400 microns and about 600 microns, fluidly connected to the source and adapted to be positioned adjacent dura mater for applying reduced pressure to the dura mater that is adjacent the defect.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein a biocompatible scaffold is inserted into the defect.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the biocompatible scaffold is a bioresorbable polymer.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the bioresorbable polymer is a polylactide-coglycolide (PLAGA) polymer or a polyethylene glycol-PLAGA copolymer.

18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the manifold is porous and formed from a flowable material that is delivered through a manifold delivery tube to the defect such that the flowable material fills the defect.

19. The system of claim 14 , wherein the manifold is a porous, bioresorbable polymer capable of serving as a biocompatible scaffold.

20. A system for treating a bone or cartilage defect in a subject, the system comprising:

a source of reduced pressure;

a biocompatible scaffold adapted to be positioned into the defect, the biocompatible scaffold formed of a bioresorbable polymer having a polylactide-coglycolide (PLAGA) polymer or a polyethylene glycol-PLAGA copolymer; and

a manifold formed from an open-cell reticulated foam having pore sizes between about 400 microns and about 600 microns and adapted to be fluidly connected to the source of reduced pressure and positioned adjacent dura mater for applying reduced pressure to the dura mater adjacent the defect.