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 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.