Bone graft delivery system and method for using same

Abstract

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 various embodiments, the graft delivery device includes an elongate hollow tube configured to receive bone graft material, a plunger adapted to extend in the elongate hollow tube and urge the bone graft material through the elongate hollow tube, and an injection device (such as a syringe) configured to contain the bone graft material therein and to connect to an open proximal end of the elongate hollow tube, to discharge the bone graft material from the first injection device into the elongate hollow tube.

1 . A bone graft material delivery system, comprising:
 an elongate hollow tube configured to receive bone graft material, the elongate hollow tube having a longitudinal axis, an open proximal end, a distal end, and a first opening at the distal end;   a plunger adapted to extend in the elongate hollow tube, the plunger having a shaft and a distal portion, wherein the plunger is configured to urge the bone graft material through the elongate hollow tube; and   a first injection device configured to contain the bone graft material therein and to connect to the open proximal end of the elongate hollow tube, whereby the bone graft material may be discharged from the first injection device into the elongate hollow tube.   
     
     
         2 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the first injection device is a first syringe. 
     
     
         3 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the bone graft material includes a first bone graft material component and a second bone graft material component, and the first and second bone graft material components are mixed together prior to being discharged into the elongate hollow tube. 
     
     
         4 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second injection device that is configured to contain the bone graft material. 
     
     
         5 . The delivery system of  claim 4 , wherein the first injection device is a first syringe, and the second injection device is a second syringe. 
     
     
         6 . The delivery system of  claim 4 , further comprising a connecting device for interconnecting the first and second injection devices. 
     
     
         7 . The delivery system of  claim 6 , wherein the connecting device includes a bayonet mount. 
     
     
         8 . The delivery system of  claim 6 , wherein the connecting device includes at least one Luer lock. 
     
     
         9 . The delivery system of  claim 6 , wherein the bone graft material comprises a first bone graft material component and a second bone graft material component, and wherein the first bone graft material component is located in the first injection device and a second bone graft material component is located in the second injection device. 
     
     
         10 . The delivery system of  claim 6 , wherein the connecting device includes a bore extending through the connecting device and configured to enable movement of the second bone graft material component from the second injection device to the first injection device to facilitate mixing the first and second bone graft material components within the first injection device. 
     
     
         11 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , further including an implant configured to attach to the distal end of the elongate hollow tube and allow the bone graft material to pass through it. 
     
     
         12 . The delivery system of  claim 11 , wherein the implant is a bone fusion cage. 
     
     
         13 . The delivery system of  claim 12 , wherein the bone fusion cage is expandable. 
     
     
         14 . The delivery system of  claim 11 , wherein the implant laterally diverts the bone graft material that is delivered through it. 
     
     
         15 . A bone graft material delivery system, comprising:
 an elongate hollow tube configured to receive bone graft material, the elongate hollow tube having a longitudinal axis, an open proximal end, a distal end, and a first opening at the distal end;   a plunger adapted to extend in the elongate hollow tube, the plunger having a shaft and a distal portion, wherein the plunger is configured to urge the bone graft material through the elongate hollow tube;   a first syringe containing the bone graft material therein and configured to connect to the open proximal end of the elongate hollow tube, whereby the bone graft material may be discharged from the first syringe into the elongate hollow tube; and   an implant configured to attach to the distal end of the elongate hollow tube and allow the bone graft material to pass through it.   
     
     
         16 . The delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the bone graft material includes a first bone graft material component and a second bone graft material component, and further comprising a second syringe containing the second bone graft material component and configured to connect to the first syringe, and wherein the first syringe contains the first bone graft material component. 
     
     
         17 . The delivery system of  claim 16 , further comprising a connecting device for interconnecting the first and second syringes. 
     
     
         18 . The delivery system of  claim 17 , wherein the connecting device includes a bore extending through the connecting device and configured to enable movement of the second bone graft material component from the second syringe to the first syringe to facilitate mixing the first and second bone graft material components within the first syringe. 
     
     
         19 . The delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the implant is a bone fusion cage. 
     
     
         20 . The delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the elongate hollow tube has a generally rectangular cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.