Apparatus and methods for delivery of reinforcing materials to bone
First Claim
1. An apparatus for delivering a reinforcing mixture to a long bone 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 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, when in the inflated state by the bone reinforcing mixture in a cavity of a fractured long bone, aligns bone fragments of the fractured long bone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. An apparatus for delivering a reinforcing mixture to a long bone comprising:
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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 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, when in the inflated state by the bone reinforcing mixture in a cavity of a fractured long bone, aligns bone fragments of the fractured long bone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for delivering a reinforcing mixture to a long bone comprising:
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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 reinforcing mixture therethrough; a balloon extending from the distal end of the catheter, wherein the balloon begins to expand from a substantially deflated state to a substantially inflated state as the reinforcing mixture enters the balloon; at least one light guide extending through the catheter into the balloon to guide a light into the balloon to illuminate and cure the reinforcing mixture; and a junction connecting the catheter to the balloon, wherein the junction concentrates stress applied to the catheter at the junction, wherein the balloon, when in the inflated state by the reinforcing mixture in a cavity of a fractured long bone, aligns bone fragments of the fractured long bone. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for reinforcing a long bone comprising:
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penetrating the long bone to gain access to a cavity in the long bone; inserting a balloon connected to a distal end of a catheter into the cavity in the long bone; infusing a reinforcing mixture into the balloon through at least one lumen of the catheter; and activating a light source to harden the reinforcing mixture in the balloon. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for reinforcing a long bone comprising:
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penetrating the long bone to gain access to a cavity in the long bone; inserting a balloon into the cavity in the long bone; introducing a bone reinforcing mixture into the balloon through at least one lumen of a catheter connected to the balloon; activating a light source connected to at least one light guide extending through the catheter into the balloon to harden the bone reinforcing mixture in the balloon; and separating the catheter from the balloon at a predetermined site. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification