Tool to Direct Bone Graft

Abstract

A tool for directing bone replacement material under pressure comprising an elongated hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; the distal end including at least one opening having a deflection structure configured to deflect the bone replacement material out of the tube at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube in response to pressure applied to the bone replacement material such that the deflected bone replacement material creates a force with at least a portion of the force generally oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube.

1 . A tool for directing bone replacement material under pressure comprising:
 an elongated hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis;   the distal end including at least one opening having a deflection structure configured to deflect the bone replacement material out of the tube at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube in response to pressure applied to the bone replacement material such that the deflected bone replacement material creates a force with at least a portion of the force generally oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube.   
     
     
         2 . A tool for directing bone replacement material under pressure comprising:
 an elongated hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis;   the distal end including at least one means for deflecting the bone replacement material out of the tube at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube in response to pressure applied to the bone replacement material such that the deflected bone replacement material creates a force with at least a portion of the force generally oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube.   
     
     
         3 . A tool for directing bone replacement material under pressure comprising:
 an elongated tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis;   the tube filled with bone replacement material creating a columnar configuration of the bone replacement material in the tube in response to pressure applied to the proximal end of the tube;   the distal end of the tube including at least one opening having a cantilevered deflection structure configured to deflect bone replacement material out of the tube at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube in response to pressure applied to the bone replacement material such that the cantilevered deflection structure creates a force that breaks up the columnar configuration of the bone replacement material when the bone replacement material is pushed against the cantilevered deflection structure.   
     
     
         4 . A tool for directing bone replacement material under pressure comprising:
 an elongated hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis;   the tube filled with bone replacement material creating a columnar configuration of the bone replacement material in the tube in response to pressure applied to the proximal end of the tube;   the distal end including at least one means for deflection of the bone replacement material out of the tube at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube in response to pressure applied to the bone replacement material such that the means for deflection creates a force that breaks up the columnar configuration of the bone replacement material when the bone replacement material is pushed against the means for deflection.   
     
     
         5 . A method of directing bone replacement material under pressure into a cavity comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an elongated hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis, the distal end including at least one opening having a deflection structure;   (b) positioning the distal end into a first position in the cavity;   (c) applying pressure to the bone replacement material;   (d) deflecting the bone replacement material out of the tube into the cavity at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube;   (e) selectively orienting the distal end of the tube to a second position in the cavity to guide and deflect the bone replacement material;   (f) applying pressure to the bone replacement material;   (g) deflecting the bone replacement material out of the tube into the cavity at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further including the step of:
 repeating steps (e)-(g) until the desired amount of bone replacement material is delivered.