# US 2004/0002713 A1 · Retrograde plunger delivery system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2004/0002713 A1 - Document ID: US20040002713A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 10/183,220 - Filed: 2002-06-26 - Published: 2004-01-01 - Earliest claimed: 2002-06-26 - Assignees: SciMed Life Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Stanley W. Olson JR.; Lex P. Jansen; Michael Burns - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20040002713A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/7098: {wherein the implant is permeable or has openings, e.g. fenestrated screw (hollow surgical screws A61B17/864)} - A61B 17/8811: {characterised by the introducer tip, i.e. the part inserted into or onto the bone} - A61M 25/0069: {Tip not integral with tube} - A61M 25/007: {Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked} - A61M 2210/02: Bones - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Cannulas are provided for delivering therapeutic material to a treatment site. The cannula includes a cannula body with a plurality of openings at the distal end, including a longitudinal opening and a plurality of transverse openings that are axially spaced from each other. The cannula also includes a plunger that is configured to be slidably disposed within the cannula lumen. When the plunger is proximally displaced in the cannula lumen, the plunger seals the distal end and deflects the therapeutic material out the transverse openings. As the plunger is proximally displaced within the lumen, the therapeutic material is forced to perfuse out transverse openings located proximal of the plunger position. In one embodiment, the plunger includes an additional pliable sealable member. In another embodiment, the distal end of the cannula body may be implanted by separating the distal end from the cannula body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cannula for use in delivering therapeutic material, comprising: a cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end of the cannula body includes a plurality of openings axially spaced from each other in fluid communication with the lumen; and a plunger configured to be slidably disposed within the lumen. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cannula of claim 1, further comprising a detachment structure that allows the distal end to be separated from the proximal end of the cannula body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The cannula of claim 2, wherein the detachment structure comprises one or more axially spaced notches that allows the cannula body to break into two or more pieces in the presence of a shearing or twisting force. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The cannula of claim 3, wherein the one or more notches comprises a plurality of notches. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The cannula of claim 3, wherein the one or more notches are circumferentially offset from each other. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The cannula of claim 2, wherein the detachment structure comprises a mechanical junction that allows the cannula body to separate into two pieces in the presence of an external force. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The cannula of claim 6, wherein the mechanical junction comprises a connective sleeve that allows the cannula body to separate into two pieces in the presence of the external force. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The cannula of claim 6, wherein the mechanical junction comprises a threaded junction that allows the cannula body to separate into two pieces in the presence of a rotational force. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cannula of claim 1, wherein the plunger further comprises a pliable sealing member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The cannula of claim 1, wherein the cannula body comprises a biocompatible material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The cannula of claim 1, wherein the plunger comprises a biocompatible material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The cannula of claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings comprises a longitudinal opening at a distal tip of the cannula body, and a transverse opening proximal to the distal tip of the cannula body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The cannula of claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings further comprises a plurality of axially spaced transverse openings proximal to the distal tip of the cannula body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The cannula of claim 13, wherein the plurality of transverse openings are circumferentially offset from each other. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The cannula of claim 13, wherein the plurality of transverse openings is arranged into axially spaced groups. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The cannula of claim 15, wherein each transverse opening group comprises a plurality of axially aligned openings. ### Claim 17 A method for delivering implant material into tissue using a cannula comprising a cannula body having a first opening and a second opening proximal to the first opening, and a plunger slidably disposed within a lumen of the cannula body, the method comprising: inserting the cannula body into a distal section of a tissue; perfusing the implant material out of the first opening into the tissue; proximally displacing the plunger from a first position distal to the first opening into a second position between the first and second openings; and perfusing the implant material out of the second opening into the tissue while the plunger is in the second position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising severing a distal portion from a proximal portion of the cannula member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising separating a distal portion from a proximal portion of the cannula member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the implant material is longitudinally perfused out of the cannula body through the first opening, and transversely perfused out of the cannula body through the second opening. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the cannula body further comprises a third opening proximal to the second opening, the method further comprising: proximally displacing the plunger into a third position between the second and third openings; and perfusing the implant material out of the third opening into the tissue while the plunger is in the third position. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the implantable material is bone cement. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the tissue is bone tissue. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the bone tissue is a vertebral body. ### Claim 25 A cannula for use in delivering therapeutic material, comprising: a cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal end, and a detachment structure that allows the distal end to be separated from the proximal end. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The cannula of claim 25, wherein the detachment structure comprises one or more axially spaced notches that allows the cannula body to detach into two or more pieces in the presence of a shearing or twisting force. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The cannula of claim 26, wherein the one or more notches comprises a plurality of notches. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The cannula of claim 26, wherein the one or more notches are circumferentially offset from each other. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The cannula of claim 25, wherein the detachment structure comprises a mechanical junction that allows the cannula body to separate into two pieces in the presence of an external force. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The cannula of claim 29, wherein the mechanical junction comprises a connective sleeve that allows the cannula body to separate into two pieces in the presence of the external force. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The cannula of claim 29, wherein the mechanical junction comprises a threaded junction that allows the cannula body to separate into two pieces in the presence of a rotational force. ### Claim 32 (depends on 25) The cannula of claim 25, wherein the cannula body comprises a bioabsorbable material. ### Claim 33 (depends on 25) The cannula of claim 25, wherein the cannula body further comprises a plurality of openings axially spaced from each other in fluid communication with the lumen. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The cannula of claim 33, wherein the opening comprises a longitudinal opening at a distal tip of the cannula body and the plurality of openings comprise at least one transverse opening proximal to the distal tip of the cannula body. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The cannula of claim 34, wherein the plurality of transverse openings are circumferentially offset from each other. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) The cannula of claim 34, wherein the plurality of transverse openings is arranged into axially spaced groups. ### Claim 37 (depends on 34) The cannula of claim 34, wherein each transverse opening group comprises a plurality of axially aligned openings. ### Claim 38 A method for delivering implant material into tissue using a cannula comprising a cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more openings, the method comprising: inserting the cannula body into tissue; perfusing the implant material out of the one or more openings into the tissue; and separating the proximal end from the distal end of the cannula body. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein the implantable material is bone cement. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein the tissue is bone tissue. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The method of claim 40, wherein the bone tissue is a vertebral body. ### Claim 42 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein the one or more openings comprises a plurality of openings axially spaced from each other the method further comprising perfusing the implant material out of the plurality of openings into the tissue. ### Claim 43 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein the cannula further comprises a plunger configured to be slidably disposed in a lumen of the cannula body, and the one or more openings comprises a first opening and a second opening proximal to the first opening, the method further comprising: proximally displacing the plunger from a first position distal to the first opening into a second position between the first and second openings; and perfusing the implant material out of the second opening into the tissue while the plunger is in the second position. ### Claim 44 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein separating the proximal end from the distal end of the cannula body comprises detaching the cannula body by applying a shearing or twisting force. ### Claim 45 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein separating the proximal end from the distal end of the cannula body comprises unscrewing the proximal end from the distal end. ### Claim 46 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, further comprising implanting the distal end of the cannula body within the tissue. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The method of claim 46, wherein the distal end of the cannula body is composed of a biocompatible material.