Integrated Fusion Cage Bone Graft Delivery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for delivering bone graft material during spinal surgery are inefficient, causing imprecise insertion, potential harm to patients, and require separate devices for graft delivery and fusion cage placement, leading to trauma and limited effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An integrated device comprising a tubular member and plunger for delivering bone graft material directly into a fusion cage, allowing simultaneous and precise delivery within the disc space, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate devices are used for bone graft delivery and fusion cage placement, then device functionality is maintained, but surgical trauma increases and procedural efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bone graft delivery device and fusion cage placement device into a single integrated instrument. The delivery device includes a hollow tube for bone graft material and a mechanism to simultaneously or sequentially deliver the graft and insert the fusion cage, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices and reducing surgical trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device serves multiple functions: it delivers bone graft material through its hollow tube, positions the fusion cage in the intervertebral space, and can perform both functions in a single surgical motion. This multi-functional design improves surgical efficiency while reducing the number of instrument exchanges and patient trauma.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional bone graft delivery methods are used, then procedural simplicity is maintained, but delivery precision is poor and bone graft volume is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion cage is nested within the hollow tube of the delivery device, allowing the bone graft material to be delivered through the tube while the cage is simultaneously positioned. This nested configuration enables precise delivery of both the graft material and the cage to the exact intervertebral location, improving delivery precision and maximizing bone graft volume placement.
3Productivity
If multiple separate procedures are performed for graft delivery and cage insertion, then functional completeness is maintained, but surgical time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion cage is pre-positioned within the hollow tube of the delivery device before surgery. During the surgical procedure, the entire assembly is inserted in a single motion, eliminating the need for separate cage insertion steps. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces surgical time while maintaining complete functional capability.
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. 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 selectably 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.