Bone graft delivery system and method for using same

Abstract

A bone graft delivery system can include an elongate tube, a handle having a trigger, and a tip. The trigger is actuated to deliver bone graft material through the tube. The tip has one or more openings to deliver the bone graft material to a desired location and includes a surface suitable to act as a rasp for decorticating bone. A method for delivering bone graft material to a desired surgical location includes providing a bone graft delivery device, positioning the device adjacent the surgical location, decorticating bone, and delivering bone graft material to the surgical location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bone graft delivery system, comprising:
 an elongate tube;   a handle at a proximal end of the tube configured to be actuated to deliver bone graft material through the tube; and   a tip at a distal end of the tube, the tip having one or more openings configured to deliver the bone graft material to a desired location, wherein the tip includes a surface suitable to serve as a rasp for scraping bone.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the tip includes jagged edges. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tip is made of metal. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tip is made of a radiopaque material. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tip is made of a durable medical plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tip is made of a composite material. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the tip includes one or more radiopaque markers. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the tip includes one or more radiopaque markers. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tip has a blunt end. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate tube is rigid. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate tube includes a permanent bend. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a trigger configured to be actuated to deliver bone graft material through the tube. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tip is removably attachable to the distal end of the tube. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an endoscopic camera positioned adjacent the tip. 
     
     
         15 . A method for delivering bone graft material to a surgical location, comprising:
 providing a bone graft delivery device comprising an elongate tube and a distal tip having at least one opening for delivering the bone graft material to the surgical location;   positioning the device adjacent the surgical location;   decorticating bone with the distal tip; and   delivering bone graft material through the tube and out the at least one opening of the tip.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the bone graft material comprises autogenous, cadaveric and/or synthetic material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the bone graft delivery device is positioned at the surgical location through a minimally invasive opening in a patient's skin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the bone graft delivery device is positioned adjacent the spine and the distal tip decorticates a portion of the spine. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein decorticating bone with the distal tip comprises rasping bone with jagged edges of the distal tip. 
     
     
         20 . A bone graft delivery system, comprising:
 an elongate tube; and   a handle at a proximal end of the tube configured to be actuated to deliver bone graft material through the tube, the handle comprising:   a funnel at a proximal end of the handle, the funnel configured to receive bone graft material;   a channel extending between and in fluid communication with the funnel and the proximal end of the tube; and   a ratcheting mechanism configured to advance bone graft material from the funnel, through the channel, and into the tube.