Abstract:
A granule delivery system contains a plunger and a divided tube, wherein the divided tube has two or more partial shells which are suitable to be coupled to each other, so that a longitudinal channel is formed in the divided tube, each of the partial shells is able to move longitudinally in relation to the other, and the plunger is able to be inserted into the longitudinal channel, when the two or more partial shells are coupled to each other.
Abstract:
Adding gas-filled microbubbles to both the saline solution of either a kyphoplasty balloon or a vertebroplasty cement allows the clinician to assess via ultrasound both the location and expansion of the balloon and the location of the cement during vertebral body augmentation procedures.without the use of fluoroscopy.
Abstract:
A medical/surgical lavage unit (50) that includes a tip assembly (650) with an irrigation tube (730) and a suction tube (750). The irrigation tube is disposed within and axially offset from the suction tube. The suction tube has a lumen (736) has with a relatively wide cross-sectional length that reduces clogging of waste in the lumen.
Abstract:
A system for filtering or treating blood of a subject is provided herein. The system includes a bone port for establishing fluid communication with a bone marrow of the bone and a return port for returning blood from the bone marrow to a circulation of the subject. The system further includes a blood treatment or filtering device interposed between the bone and return ports thereby establishing a mini-circulatory system.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are provided to penetrate a bone and associated bone marrow using a powered driver. The powered driver may include a housing having a gear assembly, a motor and a power supply disposed therein. A penetrator assembly may be releasably engaged with one end of a drive shaft extending from the housing. The powered driver may include a light operable to illuminate an insertion site for the penetrator assembly. An indicator may be provided to show status of an associated power supply. An indicator may also be provided to show status of penetrating bone and/or associated bone marrow using a penetrator assembly. The apparatus may include an enable switch to prevent undesired operation of the powered driver.
Abstract:
Apparatus for delivering a quantity of fluid to bone marrow of a bone or providing access to remove fluids from a target site is provided. The apparatus may include a driver, a plunger operating and cartridge assembly mechanism, a cartridge assembly having a fluid reservoir and a bone penetrating needle.
Abstract:
An implantable drug delivery system is provided including a mechanical member attachable to a portion of a body, a first chamber having an opening configured to receive a sustained release device, a sustained release device, and a removably attachable retainer for retaining the sustained release device in the first chamber. A method for administering a drug to a joint is provided including the steps of positioning a mechanical member in or adjacent a bone, the mechanical member configured to hold a sustained release drug delivery device at a substantially controlled rate. Also provided is a sustained release device intraarticularly implantable into a joint to deliver a therapeutically effective compound within a synovial capsule of the joint such that, in one aspect, the synovial fluid concentration of the compound is greater than the plasma concentration of the compound during the prolonged lifetime of the device, thereby eliminating unwanted systemic side effects and the need for frequent and repeated administrations.
Abstract:
A balloon (12) for use in compressing cancellous bone and marrow (also known as medullary bone or trabecular bone) against the inner cortex of bones whether the bones are fractured or not. The balloon comprises an inflatable, non-expandable balloon body for insertion into said bone. The body has a shape and size to compress at least a portion of the cancellous bone to form a cavity in the cancellous bone and to restore the original position of the outer cortical bone, if fractured or collapsed. The balloon is prevented from applying excessive pressure to the outer cortical bone. The wall or walls of the balloon are such that proper inflation of the balloon body is achieved to provide for optimum compression of all the bone marrow. The balloon is able to be folded so that it can be inserted quickly into a bone. The balloon can be made to have a suction catheter (16). It can also be coated with therapeutic substances. The main purpose of the balloon is the forming or enlarging of a cavity or passage in a bone, especially in, but not limited to, vertebral bodies. Another important purpose is to deliver therapeutic substances to bone in an improved way.