Bone graft delivery device with positioning handle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material and 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 detach the fusion cage for deposit. 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 certain embodiments, the integrated fusion cage is an expandable integrated fusion cage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bone graft insertion device comprising:
 a hollow tube having a length, a proximal end and a distal end, and an interior volume extending between the proximal end and the distal end;   the distal end of the hollow tube comprising a closed end;   at least one aperture provided proximal to the distal end of the hollow tube, wherein the at least one aperture is operable to transmit bone graft material from an interior of the hollow tube;   a plunger adapted for insertion within said hollow tube;   a positioning handle interconnected to the hollow tube, wherein the positioning handle is secured to the hollow tube and wherein the positioning handle extends perpendicularly away from the hollow tube to provide a user-interface;   the proximal end of the hollow tube comprising a funnel that is operable to receive bone graft material, and wherein the funnel is selectively removable from the hollow tube;   wherein the hollow tube and the plunger are configured to deliver bone graft material to a graft receiving area through the at least one opening of the hollow tube.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening comprises first and second openings provided through sidewalls of the hollow tube. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow tube comprises a ferrous material. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning handle is selectively removable from the hollow tube. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning handle is welded to the hollow tube. 
     
     
         6 . A bone graft insertion device comprising:
 a hollow tube having a length, a proximal end and a distal end, and an interior volume extending between the proximal end and the distal end, said distal end having at least one opening;   at least one aperture provided proximal to the distal end of the hollow tube, wherein the at least one aperture is operable to transmit bone graft material from the interior volume of the hollow tube;   a plunger adapted for insertion within the hollow tube;   a positioning handle interconnected to the hollow tube, wherein the positioning handle extends from the hollow tube to provide a user-interface;   the proximal end of the hollow tube comprising a funnel that is operable to receive bone graft material;   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.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one aperture comprises first and second apertures provided through sidewalls of the hollow tube. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the hollow tube comprises a ferrous material. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the positioning handle is selectively removable from the hollow tube. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the positioning handle is welded to the hollow tube. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the distal end comprises at least one of a curved and a rounded tip. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the funnel is selectively removable from the hollow tube. 
     
     
         13 . A bone graft insertion device comprising:
 a hollow tube having a length, a proximal end and a distal end, said hollow tube having an interior cross-section;   a plunger adapted for insertion within said hollow tube, said plunger having a distal end exterior surface that forming a substantially congruent fit with said hollow tube interior cross-section, said plunger having a distal tip contoured to conform to the distal end of said hollow tube; and   a positioning handle interconnected to the hollow tube, wherein the positioning handle extends away from the bone graft insertion device to provide a user-interface;   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 provided proximal to the distal end of the hollow tube.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the positioning handle is selectively detachable from the bone graft insertion device. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the distal end comprises a closed end, and wherein the one or more lateral openings are operable to allow an egress of bone graft material from the device. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the interior cross-section is rectangular. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the distal end of the hollow tube comprises a tapered tip. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the distal end exterior surface is of rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the hollow tube comprises a metallic alloy. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a funnel configured to interconnect to the hollow tube.