FUSION CAGE WITH COMBINED BIOLOGICAL DELIVERY SYSTEM

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A bone graft insertion apparatus comprising:
a hollow tube constructed to receive bone graft, said hollow tube having an extended axis and a proximal end and a distal end, said hollow tube having a rectangular interior cross-section from said proximal end to said distal end, said distal end having a tapered tip interior surface with a terminus and two openings having an upper and a lower end located on opposite lateral sides of said distal end, said tapered tip interior surface extending into said hollow tube and said terminus positioned adjacent to said oval-shaped openings, said hollow tube of single-piece construction; a plunger adapted for inserting into said proximal end of said hollow tube along the extended axis, said plunger having a distal end exterior surface of rectangular cross-section contoured to said interior cross-section of said hollow tube, said plunger of single-piece construction with a distal exterior tip, said plunger distal end exterior surface of rectangular cross-section forming a substantially congruent fit with said hollow tube rectangular interior cross-section, wherein said hollow tube and said plunger are configured to deliver bone graft material to a graft receiving area through one or more lateral openings near said distal end of said hollow tube, said plunger having an axial length at least sufficient wherein at a least a portion of said plunger distal end is positioned adjacent to said one or more lateral openings when fully inserted into said hollow tube, said one or more lateral openings substantially precluding the delivery of bone graft material directly along said axis of said hollow tube, said plunger precluded from rotating when inserted into said hollow tube;wherein said distal exterior tip of said plunger is configured to remain always proximal to the tapered distal end of said hollow tube.