Bone graft delivery system and method for using same
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.
1. A method for delivering bone graft material to a surgical location, comprising:
providing a bone graft delivery device comprising an elongate tube;
removably coupling a distal tip to the bone graft delivery device, the 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.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bone graft material comprises autogenous, cadaveric and/or synthetic material.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bone graft delivery device is positioned at the surgical location through a minimally invasive opening in a patient's skin.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bone graft delivery device is positioned adjacent the spine and the distal tip decorticates a portion of the spine.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein decorticating bone with the distal tip comprises rasping bone with jagged edges of the distal tip.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein decorticating bone with the distal tip comprises actuating the distal tip by mechanical, battery powered, electric, pneumatic, or another means of force.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip is generally bullet shaped.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip is generally flat.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip comprises at least one rasping surface configured to decorticate bone.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the surface configured to decorticate bone extends proximally of the at least one opening.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip is removably coupled to the distal end of the elongate tube.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip is made of a radiopaque material.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip comprises one or more radiopaque markers.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip comprises a blunt end.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip is positioned at a distal end of the elongate tube when the distal tip is removably coupled to the bone graft delivery device.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip comprises a single monolithically formed piece.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip is made of metal.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip is made of a durable medical plastic.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip is made of a composite material.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elongate tube is curved.