Apparatus for delivery of reinforcing materials to bone
An apparatus and methods for delivery of reinforcing materials to a weakened or fractured bone is disclosed. An apparatus for delivering a reinforcing mixture to a bone including a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the tube has at least one inner lumen capable of allowing a bone reinforcing mixture to pass therethrough; a balloon engaging the tube wherein the balloon expands from a substantially deflated state to a substantially inflated state upon the bone reinforcing mixture entering the balloon; and at least one light guide extending through the tube into the balloon to guide a light into the balloon.
1. An apparatus for delivering a bone reinforcing mixture to a fractured or a weakened fibula comprising:
a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the tube has at least one inner lumen for passing the bone reinforcing mixture therethrough;
a balloon engaging the distal end of the tube, wherein the balloon expands from a substantially deflated state to a substantially inflated state upon the bone reinforcing mixture entering the balloon; and
at least one light guide extending through the tube into the balloon to guide a light into the balloon to illuminate and cure the bone reinforcing mixture,
wherein the balloon aligns the bone fragments of the fibula when the balloon is in the inflated state in a cavity of the fibula.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the balloon strengthens the fibula when the balloon is in the inflated state in the cavity of the fibula.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a light source that provides ultraviolet light or visible light to the tube.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an optical taper adjacent to the proximal end of the tube to guide light into the tube.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a separation area on the distal end of the tube to separate the tube from the balloon.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one radiopaque marker on the balloon and/or the tube.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the balloon is transparent to permit the passage of radiation.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an outer balloon surrounding the balloon.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the balloon is preformed to be contained within the cavity of the fractured or the weakened fibula.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a light reflective material on an inner surface of the balloon or the tube.
11. An apparatus for delivering a light cured material to a fractured or a weakened tibia comprising:
a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the catheter has at least one inner lumen for passing the light cured material therethrough;
a balloon engaging the distal end of the catheter, wherein the balloon expands from a substantially deflated state to a substantially inflated state upon the light cured material entering the balloon; and
at least one light guide extending through the catheter into the balloon to guide a light into the balloon to illuminate and cure the light cured material,
wherein the balloon aligns the bone fragments of the tibia when the balloon is in the inflated state in a cavity of the tibia.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the balloon strengthens the tibia when the balloon is in the inflated state in the cavity of the tibia.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a light source that provides ultraviolet light or visible light to the catheter.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising an optical taper adjacent to the proximal end of the catheter to guide light into the catheter.
15. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a separation area on the distal end of the catheter to separate the catheter from the balloon.
16. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising at least one radiopaque marker on the balloon and/or the catheter.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the balloon is transparent to permit the passage of radiation.
18. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising an outer balloon surrounding the balloon.
19. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein a surface of the balloon is preformed to be contained within the cavity of the fractured or the weakened tibia.
20. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a light reflective material on an inner surface of the balloon or the catheter.
21. A system for delivering a bone reinforcing mixture to a fractured or a weakened ulna comprising:
a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the catheter has at least one inner lumen for passing a bone reinforcing mixture therethrough;
a balloon engaging the distal end of the catheter, wherein the balloon expands from a substantially deflated state to a substantially inflated state upon the bone reinforcing mixture entering the balloon; and
at least one light guide extending through the catheter into the balloon to guide a light into the balloon to illuminate and cure the bone reinforcing mixture,
wherein the balloon aligns the bone fragments of the ulna when the balloon is in the inflated state in a cavity of the ulna.
22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the balloon strengthens the ulna when the balloon is in the inflated state in the cavity of the ulna.
23. The system of claim 21 , further comprising a light source that provides ultraviolet light or visible light to the catheter.
24. The system of claim 21 , further comprising an optical taper adjacent to the proximal end of the catheter to guide light into the catheter.
25. The system of claim 21 , further comprising a separation area on the distal end of the catheter to separate the catheter from the balloon.
26. The system of claim 21 , further comprising at least one radiopaque marker on the balloon and/or the catheter.
27. The system of claim 21 , wherein the balloon is transparent to permit the passage of radiation.
28. The system of claim 21 , further comprising an outer balloon surrounding the balloon.
29. The system of claim 21 , wherein a surface of the balloon is preformed to be contained within the cavity of the fractured or the weakened ulna.
30. The system of claim 21 , further comprising a light reflective material on an inner surface of the balloon or the catheter.
31. A system for delivering a light cured material to a fractured or a weakened radius comprising:
a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the tube has at least one inner lumen for passing a light cured material therethrough;
a balloon engaging the distal end of the tube, wherein the balloon expands from a substantially deflated state to a substantially inflated state upon the light cured material entering the balloon; and
at least one light guide extending through the tube into the balloon to guide a light into the balloon to illuminate and cure the light cured material,
wherein the balloon aligns the bone fragments of the radius when the balloon is in the inflated state in a cavity of the radius.
32. The system of claim 31 , wherein the balloon strengthens the radius when the balloon is in the inflated state in a cavity of the radius.
33. The system of claim 31 , further comprising a light source that provides ultraviolet light or visible light to the tube.
34. The system of claim 31 , further comprising an optical taper adjacent to the proximal end of the tube to guide light into the tube.
35. The system of claim 31 , further comprising a separation area on the distal end of the tube to separate the tube from the balloon.
36. The system of claim 31 , further comprising at least one radiopaque marker on the balloon and/or the tube.
37. The system of claim 31 , wherein the balloon is transparent to permit the passage of radiation.
38. The system of claim 31 , further comprising an outer balloon surrounding the balloon.
39. The system of claim 31 , wherein a surface of the balloon is preformed to be contained within the cavity of the fractured or the weakened radius.
40. The system of claim 31 , further comprising a light reflective material on an inner surface of the balloon or the tube.