Multi-port delivery system

• US 9,655,663 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2014
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Kyphon SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Donovan, Brian W., Click, Bryan A.
• Primary Examiner(s): COLEY, ZADE JAMES
• Application Number:
  US14/502,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20150018834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 606 92- 94
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8822 characterised by means facilitating expulsion of fluid from the introducer, e.g. a screw pump plunger, hydraulic force transmissions, application of vibrations or a vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8827 with filtering, degassing, venting or pressure relief means

Abstract

A device for delivering material to multiple surgical target locations includes a pressure reservoir selectably coupled to two or more outlets. Coupling the pressure reservoir to a given one of the outlets and pressurizing the pressure reservoir causes flowable material (e.g., bone filler material) to be dispensed from that outlet. A diverter for selectably coupling the pressure reservoir one of the outlets can be configured to trigger a pressure release valve for the pressure reservoir upon switching, thereby preventing unexpected or uncontrolled material delivery from the new outlet in response to sudden high pressure exposure.

Claims

1. A surgical method comprising:

providing a single material delivery system that includes a plurality of outputs, a diverter for selectably coupling a pressure reservoir to one of the plurality of outputs;

pressurizing a pressure reservoir to express a first quantity of bone filler material from a first nozzle into a first target surgical location;

decoupling the first nozzle from the pressure reservoir;

coupling a second nozzle to the pressure reservoir; and

pressurizing the pressure reservoir to express a second quantity of bone filler material from the second nozzle into a second target surgical location,

wherein decoupling the first nozzle from the pressure reservoir comprises venting the pressure reservoir to a baseline pressure while the first nozzle remains coupled to the pressure reservoir and then decoupling the first nozzle from the pressure reservoir.

2. The surgical method of claim 1, wherein venting the pressure reservoir to the baseline pressure comprises opening a pressure release valve coupled to the pressure reservoir, and wherein coupling the second nozzle to the pressure reservoir comprises coupling the second nozzle to the pressure reservoir while maintaining the release valve in an open condition, and then closing the pressure release valve.

3. The surgical method of claim 2, wherein venting the pressure reservoir while the first nozzle remains coupled to the pressure reservoir occurs concurrently with coupling the second nozzle to the pressure reservoir while maintaining the pressure release valve in an open condition.

4. The surgical method of claim 3, wherein pressurizing a pressure reservoir to express the first quantity of bone filler material from the first nozzle into the first target surgical location comprises:

providing a hydraulic fluid in the pressure reservoir;

providing a first length of flexible tubing between a first pressure outlet and a first storage chamber; and

positioning a flow path between the pressure reservoir and the first pressure outlet, wherein the first quantity of bone filler material is expressed from the first storage chamber through the first nozzle in response to the hydraulic fluid flow through the first length of flexible tubing.

5. The surgical method of claim 4, wherein pressurizing the pressure reservoir to express the second quantity of bone filler material from the second nozzle into the second target surgical location comprises:

providing a second length of flexible tubing between a second pressure outlet and a second storage chamber; and

positioning the flow path between the pressure reservoir and the second pressure outlet, wherein the second quantity of bone filler material is expressed from the second storage chamber through the second nozzle in response to the hydraulic fluid flow through the second length of flexible tubing.

6. The surgical method of claim 5, wherein venting the pressure reservoir while the first nozzle remains coupled to the pressure reservoir comprises positioning the flow path between the pressure reservoir and the first and second pressure outlets.

7. The surgical method of claim 1, further comprising:

decoupling the second nozzle from the pressure reservoir;

re-coupling the first nozzle to the pressure reservoir; and

pressurizing the pressure reservoir to express a third quantity of bone filler material from the first nozzle into the first target surgical location.

8. The surgical method of claim 1, further comprising:

decoupling the second nozzle from the pressure reservoir;

coupling a third nozzle to the pressure reservoir; and

pressurizing the pressure reservoir to express a third quantity of bone filler material from the third nozzle into a third target surgical location.

9. A surgical method comprising:

providing a single material delivery system that includes a plurality of outputs, a diverter configured to simultaneously couple a pressure reservoir to the plurality of outputs;

pressurizing a pressure reservoir to express a first quantity of bone filler material from a first nozzle into a first target surgical location;

decoupling the first nozzle from the pressure reservoir;

coupling a second nozzle to the pressure reservoir; and

pressurizing the pressure reservoir to express a second quantity of bone filler material from the second nozzle into a second target surgical location,

wherein decoupling the first nozzle from the pressure reservoir comprises venting the pressure reservoir to a baseline pressure while the first nozzle remains coupled to the pressure reservoir and then decoupling the first nozzle from the pressure reservoir.

10. The surgical method of claim 9, further comprising:

decoupling the second nozzle from the pressure reservoir;

coupling a third nozzle to the pressure reservoir; and

pressurizing the pressure reservoir to express a third quantity of bone filler material from the third nozzle into a third target surgical location.

11. A surgical method comprising:

providing a single material delivery system that includes first and second outputs, a diverter for selectably coupling a pressure reservoir to one of the outputs;

moving the diverter to a first position to expel a first quantity of bone filler material from the pressure reservoir such that the first quantity of bone filler material moves through the first output and into a first target surgical location;

venting the pressure reservoir to a baseline pressure; and

moving the diverter from the first position to a second position to expel a second quantity of bone filler material from the pressure reservoir such that the second quantity of bone filler material moves through the second output and into a second target surgical location,

wherein venting the pressure reservoir occurs after the first quality of bone filler material moves into the first target surgical location and before the second quantity of bone filler material moves into the second target surgical location.

12. The surgical method of claim 11, wherein venting the pressure reservoir to the baseline pressure occurs while the first output is in communication with the pressure reservoir.

13. The surgical method of claim 11, wherein the diverter is moved from the first position to the second position while the pressure reservoir has the baseline pressure.

14. The surgical method of claim 11, wherein the first output is in communication with the pressure reservoir when the diverter is in the first position and the second output is in communication with the pressure reservoir when the diverter is in the second position.

15. The surgical method of claim 14, wherein venting the pressure reservoir to the baseline pressure occurs while the first output is in communication with the pressure reservoir.

16. The surgical method of claim 14, wherein the diverter is moved from the first position to the second position while the pressure reservoir has the baseline pressure.

17. The surgical method of claim 11, wherein venting the pressure reservoir to the baseline pressure comprises opening a pressure release valve coupled to the pressure reservoir.

18. The surgical method of claim 11, wherein expelling the first and second quantities of bone filler material from the pressure reservoir comprises pressurizing the pressure reservoir.

19. The surgical method of claim 18, wherein pressurizing the pressure reservoir comprises providing a hydraulic fluid in the pressure reservoir.