Bone Graft Injector With Side Loading Aperture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone graft delivery systems for minimally invasive spinal fusion procedures face challenges with resistance and seizing due to the need for large forces to advance bone graft material through long delivery tubes, especially with materials of large grain size, leading to inefficiency and potential device failure.
Innovation Solution
A bone graft material injector device featuring an elongated injector tube with a side loading aperture and a movable cannula that allows for axial alignment and controlled delivery of graft material, reducing the need for excessive force and minimizing material binding, utilizing a pusher rod to efficiently dispense graft material through a distal injection aperture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bone graft material is advanced through long delivery tubes using traditional systems, then graft material can be delivered to the surgical site, but large forces are required causing resistance and seizing especially with large grain size materials
Solution Approach 1:
The graft material is pre-loaded into the injector tube through the side loading aperture before the cannula is positioned at the surgical site. This preliminary loading action eliminates the need to force material through long tubes during surgery, reducing the force required during the actual delivery operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system is divided into separate functional components: the injector tube for material loading, the cannula for positioning, and the pusher rod for controlled dispensing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function efficiently without the complications of integrated long delivery tubes.
2Productivity
If traditional delivery systems are used to advance bone graft material through long tubes, then graft material can be delivered, but resistance and seizing occur leading to inefficiency and potential device failure
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-loading the graft material into the injector tube before positioning, the system ensures smooth material placement without resistance or seizing during surgery, improving both efficiency and reliability of the delivery process.
Solution Approach 2:
The side loading aperture acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates easy loading of graft material into the injector tube, eliminating the need to force material through long tubes and preventing resistance and seizing that would compromise system reliability.
3Productivity
If side loading aperture is used for loading graft material, then loading efficiency is improved, but additional device components are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The injector tube serves multiple functions: it acts as both the loading chamber for graft material and the delivery conduit to the surgical site. The side loading aperture integrates with the injector tube structure, allowing efficient loading without requiring entirely separate loading and delivery devices, thus limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A graft material injector device and method are disclosed. The injector device includes an elongated injector tube and a side loading aperture for receiving graft material. A graft material loader and a cover for the side loading aperture may optionally be included.