Spinal Bone Graft Delivery via Hollow Tube Plunger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone graft delivery devices in spinal surgery are inefficient, causing imprecise insertion, potential harm to patients, and require separate devices for graft material and fusion cages, leading to trauma and increased procedural complexity.
Innovation Solution
An integrated device that simultaneously delivers bone graft material through a fusion cage, allowing for precise placement and distribution within the disc space, using a hollow tube and plunger system that enables lateral delivery and precise positioning without obstructing the surgical site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate devices are used for bone graft material and fusion cages, then device functionality is maintained, but procedural complexity increases and patient trauma worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate delivery devices for bone graft material and fusion cages into a single integrated device. The hollow tube can deliver both bone graft material through its lumen and fusion cages through its distal end, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices and reducing procedural complexity while minimizing patient trauma from multiple insertions
2Measurement precision
If traditional bone graft delivery devices are used, then bone graft material can be delivered, but insertion precision deteriorates and patient safety worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device is segmented into distinct functional components: a hollow tube for delivery, a plunger for controlled propulsion of bone graft material, and a distal end with opening for fusion cage delivery. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling precise control over delivery timing and placement accuracy while improving patient safety
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows preliminary positioning and preparation of the delivery site before actual material delivery. The hollow tube can be inserted and positioned first, then bone graft material is delivered through the plunger mechanism, followed by fusion cage placement through the distal end, allowing each step to be performed with optimal precision
3Productivity
If separate delivery methods are used for bone graft material and fusion cages, then delivery capability is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the delivery functions for bone graft material and fusion cages into a single device, both materials can be delivered during one continuous procedural sequence rather than requiring separate delivery steps, significantly reducing procedural time and improving delivery efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables continuous delivery action where bone graft material is propelled through the hollow tube while the fusion cage is simultaneously or sequentially delivered through the distal end, eliminating idle time between delivery operations and maintaining continuous productive action throughout the procedure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for delivery of bone graft material in a patient's spine. The graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material to a disc space and without withdrawal from the surgical site. In one embodiment, the graft delivery device includes a plunger with a distal end configured to bend relative to a longitudinal axis as bone graft material is delivery to the disc space. The plunger can include two arms that extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The graft delivery device may selectively deliver a fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space.