Bone graft injection osteotome

Abstract

A composition delivery source ( 300 ) includes a chamber ( 302 ), a solid-liquid composition delivery tube ( 314 ), a mixing tube ( 316 ), and a liquid-supply tube ( 318 ). A filter ( 304 ) divides the chamber ( 302 ) into a liquid compartment ( 306 ) and a solid-liquid composition compartment ( 308 ). The solid-liquid composition delivery tube ( 314 ) is in fluid communication with the solid-liquid composition compartment ( 308 ). The mixing tube ( 316 ) is in fluid communication with the liquid compartment ( 306 ) and the solid-liquid composition compartment ( 308 ). The liquid-supply tube ( 318 ) is in fluid communication with the liquid compartment ( 306 ) and a liquid solution container ( 366 ). A pump unit ( 301 ) is provided that includes a mixing pump ( 322 ), which is arranged to cause flow in the mixing tube ( 316 ); and a liquid-supply pump ( 324 ), which is arranged to cause flow in the liquid-supply tube ( 318 ). Other embodiments are also described.

1 . Apparatus for use with solid particles and a liquid container containing a physiological liquid solution, the apparatus comprising:
 (1) a composition delivery source, which comprises:
 (a) a chamber, which:
 (i) comprises a filter, which is disposed within the chamber so as to divide the chamber into a liquid compartment and a solid-liquid composition compartment, and 
 (ii) is shaped so as to define (A) one or more liquid ports in fluid communication with the liquid compartment, and (B) one or more solid-liquid composition ports in fluid communication with the solid-liquid composition compartment; 
 
 (b) a solid-liquid composition delivery tube, which is in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more solid-liquid composition ports; 
 (c) a mixing tube, which is in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more liquid ports and at least one of the one or more solid-liquid composition ports; and 
 (d) a liquid-supply tube, which is in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more liquid ports, and is coupled in fluid communication with an interior of the liquid solution container; and 
   (2) a pump unit, which comprises:
 (a) a mixing pump, which is arranged to cause flow in the mixing tube; and 
 (b) a liquid-supply pump, which is arranged to cause flow in the liquid-supply tube. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the solid particles are solid bone graft particles, and wherein the apparatus is for use with the solid bone graft particles. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising the solid particles, wherein the filter is configured to inhibit passage of the solid particles and allow passage of the physiological liquid solution. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing pump is arranged to cause, in the mixing tube, flow that raises the solid particles in a puff into the physiological liquid solution in the solid-liquid composition compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a closest distance between the one or more solid-liquid composition ports and the filter equals at least 75% of a distance between the filter and a point on an interior of a wall of the solid-liquid composition compartment farthest from the filter. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing tube (a) merges with the liquid-supply tube at an exit junction, and (b) is in fluid communication with the at least one of the one or more liquid ports via a portion of the liquid-supply tube. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid-supply tube (a) merges with the mixing tube at an exit junction, and (b) is in fluid communication with the at least one of the one or more liquid ports via a portion of the mixing tube. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the chamber is shaped so as to define exactly one liquid port in fluid communication with the liquid compartment, and   wherein the chamber is shaped so as to define exactly one solid-liquid composition port in fluid communication with the solid-liquid composition compartment.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 1 - 8 , wherein the pump unit further comprises control circuitry, which is configured to repeatedly:
 (a) assume a mixing activation state, in which the control circuitry activates the mixing pump to mix the solid particles and the physiological liquid solution in the solid-liquid composition compartment to form a solid-liquid composition, by pumping the physiological liquid solution through the mixing tube and into the solid-liquid composition compartment, and   (b) assume a particle-delivery activation state, wherein the control circuitry, during at least a portion of the particle-delivery activation state, activates the liquid-supply pump to apply positive pressure to pump the solid-liquid composition from the solid-liquid composition compartment into the solid-liquid composition delivery tube.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to assume the mixing activation state and the particle-delivery activation state at the same time. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry is configured in assume the mixing activation state and the particle-delivery activation state at partially-overlapping times. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to assume the mixing activation state and the particle-delivery activation state at non-overlapping times. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to, when in the particle-delivery activation state, activate the liquid-supply pump to apply the positive pressure to pump the physiological liquid solution (a) from the liquid solution container, (b) through the liquid-supply tube, (c) into the liquid compartment, (d) through the filter, (e) into the solid-liquid composition compartment, (f) from the solid-liquid composition compartment, and (g) to the solid-liquid composition delivery tube. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry is configured, during each of one or more negative-positive particle delivery cycles of the particle-delivery activation state, to assume:
 a negative particle-delivery activation sub-state, in which the control circuitry activates the liquid-supply pump to apply negative pressure to pump liquid from the solid-liquid composition delivery tube toward the liquid compartment via the solid-liquid composition compartment, and   a positive particle-delivery activation sub-state, in which the control circuitry activates the liquid-supply pump to apply the positive pressure to pump the solid-liquid composition from the solid-liquid composition compartment into the solid-liquid composition delivery tube, wherein a direction of pumping of the liquid-supply pump in the positive particle-delivery activation sub-state is opposite a direction of pumping of the liquid-supply pump in the negative particle-delivery activation sub-state.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to assume the mixing activation state and the particle-delivery activation state at non-overlapping times. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to assume the mixing activation state and the negative particle-delivery activation sub-state at partially-overlapping times. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to assume the particle-delivery activation state in a plurality of particle-delivery-state cycles, and to begin the particle-delivery activation state in each of the particle-delivery-state cycles with the negative particle-delivery activation sub-state. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to provide a plurality of the negative-positive particle delivery cycles during the particle-delivery activation state. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to, when in the negative particle-delivery activation sub-state, activate the liquid-supply pump to pump the liquid from the solid-liquid composition delivery tube, into the solid-liquid composition compartment, and into the liquid compartment. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein the liquid-supply pump is a liquid-supply peristaltic pump, which comprises a rotor,   wherein the liquid-supply peristaltic pump is capable of (a) pumping fluid at an average rate throughout a full 360-degree revolution of the rotor at a certain speed, and (b) pumping fluid at a maximum rate during portions of the full 360-degree revolution at the certain speed, the maximum rate greater than the average rate, and   wherein the control circuitry is configured, when in both the positive and the negative particle-delivery activation sub-states, to activate the liquid-supply peristaltic pump to (a) rotate the rotor, at the certain speed, a partial revolution equal to a fraction of the full 360-degree revolution of the rotor, the fraction less than 1, and (b) pump, throughout the partial revolution, the fluid at the maximum rate.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein the liquid-supply pump is a liquid-supply peristaltic pump, which comprises a rotor, and   wherein the control circuitry is configured:
 when in the positive particle-delivery activation sub-state, to activate the liquid-supply peristaltic pump to rotate the rotor, in a first rotational direction, a first partial revolution equal to a fraction of a full 360-degree revolution of the rotor, the fraction less than 1, and 
 when in the negative particle-delivery activation sub-state, to activate the liquid-supply peristaltic pump to rotate the rotor, in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, a second partial revolution equal to the fraction of the full 360-degree revolution of the rotor. 
   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein the liquid-supply pump is a liquid-supply peristaltic pump, which comprises a rotor, and   wherein the control circuitry is configured, when in the positive particle-delivery activation sub-state, to activate the liquid-supply peristaltic pump to:
 rotate the rotor a partial revolution equal to a fraction of a full 360-degree revolution of the rotor, the fraction less than 1, and 
 pump, throughout the partial revolution, a volume of fluid that is greater than the product of the fraction and a volume of fluid pumpable throughout the full 360-degree revolution of the rotor. 
   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the liquid-supply pump is a liquid-supply peristaltic pump, which comprises a rotor. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to assume the particle-delivery activation state a plurality of times in alternation with mixing activation states, and to begin each of the particle-delivery activation states with the rotor at a same rotational position. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the mixing pump is a mixing peristaltic pump, which comprises a rotor. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 ,
 wherein the mixing peristaltic pump comprises a total number of rollers equal to at least two, and   wherein the control circuitry is configured to assume the mixing activation state a plurality of times in alternation with particle-delivery activation states, and to begin the mixing activation states with the rotor at respective starting rotational positions, which are identical to one another or rotationally offset from one another by the product of (a) 360 degrees divided by the total number of rollers and (b) a positive integer.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 ,
 wherein the mixing peristaltic pump comprises (a) a pump casing that is shaped so as to define a partial-circle mixing tube channel in which the mixing tube is disposed, and (b) an odd total number of rollers, the odd total number equal to at least one, and   wherein the control circuitry is configured to assume the mixing activation state a plurality of times in alternation with particle-delivery activation states, and to begin each of the mixing activation states with an aligned total number of the rollers rotationally aligned with the mixing tube channel, the aligned total number equal to more than half of the odd total number.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein the odd total number equals at least three. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 1 - 8 ,
 wherein the chamber comprises a receptacle component and a cover component,   wherein the cover component (a) comprises the filter, and (b) is shaped so as to define (i) a cap and (ii) a bone-graft container having an opening that (x) faces away from the cap and (y) is farther from the cap than the filter is from the cap, and   wherein the receptacle component and the cover component are shaped so as to be reversibly coupleable with each another to form a watertight seal, with the bone-graft container disposed within the receptacle component.   
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 1 - 8 , wherein the mixing pump and the liquid-supply pump are respective peristaltic pumps. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 1 - 8 , wherein the mixing tube (a) merges with the solid-liquid composition delivery tube at a return junction, and (b) is in fluid communication with the at least one of the one or more solid-liquid composition ports via a portion of the solid-liquid composition delivery tube. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 1 - 8 , wherein the mixing tube (a) merges with the solid-liquid composition delivery tube at a return junction, and (b) is in fluid communication with the at least one of the one or more solid-liquid composition ports via a portion of the solid-liquid composition delivery tube. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus according to  claim 32 ,
 wherein the chamber comprises a receptacle component and a cover component, which is shaped so as to define a cap,   wherein the return junction is disposed along a longitudinal portion of the solid-liquid composition delivery tube and around a circumferential portion of the solid-liquid composition delivery tube,   wherein the longitudinal portion includes a point that is closest to the cap when the cap is coupled to the receptacle component, and   wherein the circumferential portion includes the point.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 1 - 8 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a shaft unit, which comprises a shaft delivery tube in fluid communication with a distal end of the solid-liquid composition delivery tube. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein the shaft unit further comprises a removable depth limiting element, which is configured to limit a depth of insertion of the shaft delivery tube into a bore through a bone when the shaft delivery tube is inserted into the bore. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus according to  claim 35 ,
 wherein the shaft unit comprises a shaft delivery tube,   wherein the shaft unit further comprises a sealing element disposed around an external surface of the shaft delivery tube, and   wherein the depth limiting element is removable from the shaft unit without removal of the sealing element.   
     
     
         37 . Apparatus for use with solid particles and a liquid container containing a physiological liquid solution, the apparatus comprising a composition delivery source, which comprises:
 (a) a chamber, which:
 (i) comprises a filter, which is disposed within the chamber so as to divide the chamber into a liquid compartment and a solid-liquid composition compartment, and 
 (ii) is shaped so as to define (A) one or more liquid ports in fluid communication with the liquid compartment, and (B) one or more solid-liquid composition ports in fluid communication with the solid-liquid composition compartment; 
   (b) a solid-liquid composition delivery tube, which is in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more solid-liquid composition ports;   (c) a nixing tube, which is in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more liquid ports and at least one of the one or more solid-liquid composition ports; and   (d) a liquid-supply tube, which is in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more liquid ports, and is coupled in fluid communication with an interior of the liquid solution container.   
     
     
         38 . Apparatus for use with solid particles and a liquid container containing a physiological liquid solution, the apparatus comprising a pump unit, which comprises:
 (a) a mixing pump;   (b) a liquid-supply pump; and   (c) control circuitry, which is configured to repeatedly:
 (i) assume a mixing activation state, in which the control circuitry activates the mixing pump, and 
 (ii) assume a particle-delivery activation state, 
   wherein the control circuitry is configured, during each of one or more negative-positive particle delivery cycles of the particle-delivery activation state, to assume:
 a negative particle-delivery activation sub-state, in which the control circuitry activates the liquid-supply pump apply negative pressure to pump in a first direction, and 
 thereafter, a positive particle-delivery activation sub-state, in which the control circuitry activates the liquid-supply pump to apply positive pressure to pump in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
   
     
     
         39 . Apparatus for use with solid particles and a physiological liquid solution, the apparatus comprising:
 a composition delivery source, which comprises:
 (a) a chamber, which is shaped so as to define one or more liquid ports and one or more solid-liquid composition ports; 
 (b) a solid-liquid composition delivery tube, which is in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more solid-liquid composition ports; and 
 (c) a mixing tube, which is in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more liquid ports and at least one of the one or more solid-liquid composition ports; and 
   a pump unit, which comprises a mixing pump, which is arranged to cause, in the mixing tube, flow that raises the solid particles in a puff into the physiological liquid solution in the chamber.   
     
     
         40 . Apparatus comprising a surgical tool for use with solid particles and a physiological liquid solution, the surgical tool comprising:
 a shaft unit, which is shaped so as to define a delivery lumen, and a distal opening, which is disposed within 10 mm of a distal end of the shaft unit, in fluid communication with the delivery lumen;   a composition source, which is coupled in fluid communication with the delivery lumen, and which is configured to provide a solid-liquid composition of the solid particles and the physiological liquid solution; and   a pump, which is configured to pump the solid-liquid composition through the distal opening via the delivery lumen.   
     
     
         41 . The apparatus according to  claim 40 , wherein the surgical tool is configured as an oral surgical tool. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus according to  claim 40 , wherein the pump is configured to pump the solid-liquid composition at a pulsating hydraulic pressure that periodically varies between positive arid negative. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein the pump is configured to pump the solid-liquid composition through the distal opening via the delivery lumen during a plurality of positive-pressure periods that alternate with a plurality of negative-pressure periods, and to set an average duration of the positive-pressure periods to be less than or equal to an average duration of the negative-pressure periods. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein the pump is configured to set the average duration of the positive-pressure periods to be equal to the average duration of the negative-pressure periods. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus according to  claim 40 , wherein the pump is configured to pump the solid-liquid composition at a pulsating positive hydraulic pressure. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 40 - 45 , wherein the composition source comprises a combining unit, which is configured to provide the solid-liquid composition by combining the solid particles with the physiological liquid solution. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus according to  claim 46 , wherein the combining unit comprises a mixing unit, which is configured to provide the solid-liquid composition by mixing the solid particles with the physiological liquid solution. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 40 - 45 , wherein the solid particles arc solid bone graft particles, and wherein the surgical tool is for use with the solid bone graft particles. 
     
     
         49 . Apparatus comprising a surgical tool for use with solid particles and a physiological liquid solution, the surgical tool comprising:
 exactly one shaft unit, which is shaped so as to define a delivery lumen and a drainage lumen;   a distal opening, which is disposed within 10 mm of a distal end of the shaft unit, in fluid communication with the delivery lumen;   a composition source, which is coupled in fluid communication with the delivery lumen, and which is configured to provide a solid-liquid composition of the solid particles and the physiological liquid solution; and   a filter, which is disposed in fluid communication with the drainage lumen, and which is configured to inhibit passage of the solid particles of the solid-liquid composition and allow passage of the physiological liquid solution of the solid-liquid composition.   
     
     
         50 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the filter is disposed within 10 mm of the distal end of the shaft unit. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the filter is disposed around an axis of the distal opening. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the drainage lumen is disposed alongside the delivery lumen in the shaft unit. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the filter disposed around the delivery lumen in the shaft unit. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , further comprising a pump, which is configured to clear the solid particles that accumulate on the filter during drainage of the physiological liquid solution through the filter, by periodically applying a positive pressure to the drainage lumen. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the filter is shaped so as to define a plurality of slits having a width narrower than the solid particles. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the surgical tool is configured to move the distal opening and the shaft unit with respect to each other. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein the surgical tool further comprises a filter clearing element, which is fixed to the distal opening, and is configured to clear the solid particles that accumulate on the filter during drainage of the physiological liquid solution through the filter. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein the surgical tool is configured to rotate the distal opening and the shaft unit with respect to each other. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , wherein the surgical tool further comprises a filter clearing element, which is configured to clear the solid particles that accumulate on the filter during drainage of the physiological liquid solution through the filter. 
     
     
         60 . Apparatus comprising a surgical tool for use with solid particles and a physiological liquid solution, the surgical tool comprising:
 exactly one shaft unit, which is shaped so as to define a delivery lumen and a drainage lumen;   a distal opening, which is disposed within 10 mm of a distal end of the shaft unit, in fluid communication with the delivery lumen;   a composition source, which is coupled in fluid communication with the delivery lumen, and which is configured to provide a solid-liquid composition of the solid particles and the physiological liquid solution; and   a plurality of elements disposed around and outside the delivery lumen for facilitating (a) inhibiting passage of the solid particles of the solid-liquid composition to the drainage lumen, and (b) allowing passage of the physiological liquid solution of the solid-liquid composition to the drainage lumen.   
     
     
         61 . Apparatus comprising a surgical tool for use with solid particles and a physiological liquid solution, the surgical tool comprising:
 exactly one shaft unit, which (a) is shaped so as to define a drainage lumen, and (b) comprises a delivery shaft, which is shaped so as to define (i) a delivery lumen, and (ii) a plurality of rib elements that extend radially outward from an external surface of the delivery shaft;   a distal opening, which is disposed within 10 mm of a distal end of the shaft unit, in fluid communication with the delivery lumen; and   a composition source, which is coupled in fluid communication with the delivery lumen, and which is configured to provide a solid-liquid composition of the solid particles and the physiological liquid solution.   
     
     
         62 . The apparatus according to  claim 61 , wherein the rib elements extend an average distance of between 0.1 and 2 mm radially outward from the external surface of the delivery shaft. 
     
     
         63 . The apparatus according to  claim 61 , wherein the rib elements extend longitudinally along the external surface of the delivery shaft for an average distance of at least 1 mm. 
     
     
         64 . The apparatus according to  claim 61 , wherein the surgical tool further comprises a depth limiting element, which is configured to limit a depth of insertion of the shaft unit into a bore through a bone when the shaft unit is inserted into the bore. 
     
     
         65 . The apparatus according to  claim 64 , wherein the depth limiting element is removably attached to the shaft unit. 
     
     
         66 . The apparatus according to  claim 64 , wherein the depth limiting element is shaped so as to define a portion of the drainage lumen between at least a portion of an internal surface of the depth limiting element and a portion of the external surface of the delivery shaft. 
     
     
         67 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 49 ,  60 , and  61 , wherein the surgical tool is configured as an oral surgical tool. 
     
     
         68 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 49 ,  60 , and  61 , wherein the solid particles are solid bone graft particles, and wherein the surgical tool is for use with the solid bone graft particles. 
     
     
         69 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 49 ,  60 , and  61 , wherein the drainage lumen is disposed around the delivery lumen in the shaft unit. 
     
     
         70 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 49 ,  60 , and  61 , wherein the surgical tool further comprises a suction source, which is coupled in fluid communication with the drainage lumen. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 49 ,  60 , and  61 , for use with a suction source, wherein the drainage lumen is coupleable in fluid communication with the suction source. 
     
     
         72 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 49 ,  60 , and  61 , wherein the surgical tool further comprises a depth limiting element, which is configured to limit a depth of insertion of the shaft unit into a bore through a bone when the shaft unit is inserted into the bore. 
     
     
         73 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 49 ,  60 , and  61 , wherein the composition source comprises a combining feeder unit, which is configured to provide the solid-liquid composition by combining the solid particles with the physiological liquid solution. 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus according to  claim 73 , wherein the combining feeder unit comprises a mixing feeder unit, which is configured to provide the solid-liquid composition by mixing the solid particles with the physiological liquid solution. 
     
     
         75 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 49 ,  60 , and  61 , wherein the surgical tool is configured to automatically apply motion to the shaft unit selected from the group consisting of: vibrational motion, rotational motion, oscillatory motion, axial back-and-forth motion, and lateral side-to-side motion. 
     
     
         76 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 49 ,  60 , and  61 , further comprising a pump, which is configured to pump the solid-liquid composition through the distal opening via the delivery lumen. 
     
     
         77 . The apparatus according to  claim 76 , wherein the pump is configured to pump the solid-liquid composition at a pulsating positive hydraulic pressure. 
     
     
         78 . The apparatus according to  claim 76 , wherein the pump is configured to pump the solid-liquid composition at a pulsating hydraulic pressure that periodically varies between positive and negative. 
     
     
         79 . The apparatus according to any one of  claims 49 ,  60 , and  61 , wherein the surgical tool further comprises a solid-particle container, which contains the solid particles for combining with the physiological liquid solution.