Apparatus for delivery of reinforcing materials to bone
First Claim
1. An apparatus for delivering a reinforcing mixture to a fractured bone, the apparatus comprising:
- a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the tube has one or more inner lumens extending 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 a bone reinforcing mixture entering the balloon through a first lumen extending through the tube such that the substantially inflated state of the balloon can be adjusted to place the fractured bone in a correct orientation by inflating or deflating the balloon by altering an amount of the bone reinforcing mixture in the balloon due to the viscosity of the bone reinforcing mixture, the viscosity of the bone reinforcing mixture being 1000 cP or less; and
at least one fiber extending through a second lumen extending through the tube and into the balloon to guide a light into the balloon to cure the bone reinforcing mixture when the fractured bone has been placed in the correct orientation,wherein the balloon, when in the inflated state by the bone reinforcing mixture in a cavity of the fractured bone, aligns bone fragments of the fractured 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.
489 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for delivering a reinforcing mixture to a fractured bone, the apparatus comprising:
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a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the tube has one or more inner lumens extending 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 a bone reinforcing mixture entering the balloon through a first lumen extending through the tube such that the substantially inflated state of the balloon can be adjusted to place the fractured bone in a correct orientation by inflating or deflating the balloon by altering an amount of the bone reinforcing mixture in the balloon due to the viscosity of the bone reinforcing mixture, the viscosity of the bone reinforcing mixture being 1000 cP or less; and at least one fiber extending through a second lumen extending through the tube and into the balloon to guide a light into the balloon to cure the bone reinforcing mixture when the fractured bone has been placed in the correct orientation, wherein the balloon, when in the inflated state by the bone reinforcing mixture in a cavity of the fractured bone, aligns bone fragments of the fractured bone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for delivering a reinforcing mixture to a fractured bone, the apparatus comprising:
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a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the catheter has one or more inner lumens extending therethrough for passing a reinforcing mixture and a light therethrough; and 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 through a first lumen extending through the catheter such that the substantially inflated state of the balloon can be adjusted to place the fractured bone in a correct orientation by inflating or deflating the balloon by altering an amount of the bone reinforcing mixture in the balloon due to the viscosity of the reinforcing mixture, the viscosity of the reinforcing mixture being 1000 cP or less, wherein the balloon expands to a shape so a proximal end and a distal end of the balloon have an inflated diameter that is larger than a diameter of a middle portion of the balloon; at least one fiber extending through a second lumen of the catheter and into the balloon to guide the light into the balloon to cure the reinforcing mixture when the fractured bone has been placed in the correct orientation; 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 the fractured bone, aligns bone fragments of the fractured bone. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for reinforcing a bone of a wrist or a hand comprising:
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penetrating the bone to gain access to a cavity in the bone; inserting a balloon engaging a distal end of a catheter into the cavity in the bone; infusing a reinforcing mixture into the balloon through a first lumen of the catheter, wherein the balloon expands to a shape so a proximal end and a distal end of the balloon have an inflated diameter that is larger than a diameter of a middle portion of the balloon; adjusting the substantially inflated state of the balloon to place the bone in a correct orientation by inflating or deflating the balloon by altering an amount of the bone reinforcing mixture in the balloon due to the viscosity of the bone reinforcing mixture, the viscosity of the bone reinforcing mixture being 1000 cP or less; and
; anddelivering a light from a light source to the balloon through a second lumen of the catheter to harden the reinforcing mixture in the balloon when the bone has been placed in the correct orientation. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification