Bone graft delivery system and method for using same

Abstract

A bone graft delivery system can include an elongate tube and a handle having a trigger and a ratcheting mechanism. The trigger is actuated to deliver bone graft material through the tube. The bone graft delivery system can further include a distal tip at a distal end of 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, the handle comprising:
 a trigger configured to be actuated to deliver bone graft material through the tube; 
 a funnel configured to receive bone graft material; 
 a channel extending through the handle and in fluid communication with the funnel and the proximal end of the tube, wherein the channel comprises a window along at least one side of the channel; 
 a sheath movably disposed within the channel and configured to selectively cover the window of the channel; and 
 a ratcheting mechanism comprising a pawl operatively coupled to the trigger; and 
   a plunger comprising a series of notches and configured to be removably received in the channel and tube;   wherein the pawl is configured to engage the notches of the plunger through the window of the channel when the plunger is inserted into the channel and the window is at least partially uncovered and the ratcheting mechanism is configured to advance the plunger distally within the channel and tube to advance bone graft material distally through the tube.   
     
     
         2 . A method for delivering bone graft material to a surgical location, comprising:
 providing a bone graft delivery device;   loading bone graft material into an opening of the bone graft delivery device;   coupling the bone graft delivery device to an interbody device; and   advancing the bone graft material through a lumen of the bone graft delivery device using a plunger, wherein the plunger is advanced through the lumen of the bone graft delivery device with a ratcheting mechanism.