Integrated Bone Graft Delivery System for Spinal Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for delivering bone graft material during spinal surgery are inefficient, causing imprecise insertion, potential trauma to nerve structures, and requiring separate devices for graft delivery and fusion cage placement, which limits the volume of biologic material dispersed in the disk space.
Innovation Solution
A bone graft material delivery system comprising a hollow tube with a breech area that rotates between open and closed positions, allowing for the secure interconnection of a plunger to urge bone graft material through at least one opening, enabling direct delivery into a fusion cage and dispersion within the disc space in a single step.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional separate devices are used for graft delivery and fusion cage placement, then device simplicity is maintained, but the volume of biologic material dispersed in the disk space is limited and insertion precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bone graft delivery device and fusion cage placement device into a single integrated system. The delivery device includes a hollow tube that can deliver bone graft material directly into the fusion cage, allowing simultaneous performance of both functions. This merging enables greater volume of biologic material to be delivered while eliminating the need for separate devices, directly resolving the technical contradiction between quantity of substance and device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional delivery methods are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but insertion precision is poor and trauma to nerve structures occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow tube in the delivery device serves as an intermediary that guides and controls the delivery of bone graft material. The tube can be positioned precisely within the fusion cage, allowing controlled dispensing of material through its wall. This intermediary structure enables precise insertion while minimizing trauma to surrounding nerve structures, as the material is delivered through a controlled pathway rather than direct injection or manual placement.
3Productivity
If traditional separate procedures are used for graft delivery and cage placement, then procedural simplicity is maintained, but surgical time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated delivery system allows the surgeon to perform both bone graft delivery and fusion cage placement in a single continuous action. The hollow tube delivers material directly into the cage as it is being positioned, eliminating the need for separate steps of delivering graft material and then placing the cage. This merging of functions significantly reduces surgical time and improves productivity without compromising the quality of either function.
4Quantity of substance
If traditional delivery devices are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but the volume of biologic material that can be delivered is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system employs a nested structure where the hollow tube is positioned within the fusion cage. The tube can be advanced through the cage, and bone graft material is delivered through the wall of the tube directly into the cage interior. This nested arrangement maximizes the volume of biologic material that can be delivered while maintaining ease of operation, as the surgeon simply advances the tube and activates the delivery mechanism without complex maneuvers.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine, and methods for using same. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectively detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. In one embodiment, the integrated fusion cage is an expandable integrated fusion cage. In another embodiment, the bone graft material is loaded into a breech area in the hollow tube.