# US 2014/0194811 A1 · Systems and methods for treating post-operative infections > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194811 A1 - Document ID: US20140194811A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/151,878 - Filed: 2014-01-10 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-10 - Assignees: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation - Applicants: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation - Inventors: Wael K. Barsoum; Viktor E. Krebs; Bret E. Hartzell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194811A1 ## CPC - A61F 2/38: for elbows or knees - A61B 17/3421: {Cannulas} - A61B 17/72: Intramedullary devices, e.g. pins or nails - A61M 1/80: {Suction pumps (A61M1/64, A61M1/71, A61M60/00 take precedence)} - A61M 5/142: Pressure infusion, e.g. using pumps - A61M 5/16881: {Regulating valves} - A61F 2002/30616: {Sets comprising a plurality of prosthetic parts of different sizes or orientations} - A61F 2002/30672: {temporary} - A61F 2002/30677: {Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body} - A61F 2002/3694: {with longitudinal bores} - A61F 2002/4685: {by means of vacuum} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - 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 An infection treatment system includes a first intramedullary rod for placement within an intramedullary canal and including a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft extending longitudinally between the superior and inferior portions. The shaft includes longitudinally extending channels. A second intramedullary rod for placement within an intramedullary canal includes a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft extending longitudinally between the superior and inferior portions. The shaft includes longitudinally extending channels. A coupler is operatively attached to the rods. The coupler has a superior face, an inferior face, an anterior face, a posterior face, a first lateral face and a second lateral face. At least one of the faces includes at least one opening in fluid communication with at least a portion of the channels of the first and second rods. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An infection treatment system comprising: a first intramedullary rod configured for placement within an intramedullary canal, the first rod comprising a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft having a longitudinal axis therethrough and extending between the superior and inferior portions, the shaft comprising a plurality of elongate angularly spaced channels extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft; a second intramedullary rod configured for placement within an intramedullary canal, the second rod comprising a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft having a longitudinal axis therethrough extending between the superior and inferior portions, the shaft comprising a plurality of elongate angularly spaced channels extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft; and a fenestrated coupler attached to the first and second rods in an operative configuration, the fenestrated coupler having a superior face, an inferior face, an anterior face, a posterior face, a first lateral face and a second lateral face, at least one of the faces comprising at least one opening in fluid communication with at least a portion of the plurality of channels of the first and second rods. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The infection treatment system of claim 1, further comprising: a therapeutic fluid source; and a pump in fluid communication with the therapeutic fluid source and connected to at least one opening of the coupler to control the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the opening of the coupler in an operative configuration of the system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The infection treatment system of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum connected to at least one opening of the coupler to extract fluid from the opening of the coupler in an operative configuration of the system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The infection treatment system of claim 1, further comprising: a therapeutic fluid source; and an integrated pump and vacuum device, wherein in an operative configuration of the system, the device is in fluid communication with the therapeutic fluid source and connected to at least one opening of the coupler, the pump controlling the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to at least one opening of the coupler, the vacuum controlling the extraction of fluid from at least one opening of the coupler. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The infection treatment system of claim 1, wherein the superior face comprises a removable endplate and the inferior face comprises a removable endplate, each of the endplates comprising a plurality of through-holes. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The infection treatment system of claim 5, wherein the fenestrated coupler includes at least one coupling securement feature configured to accept a corresponding removable endplate securement feature of an endplate in an interlocking fashion and thereby resist removal of that endplate from the fenestrated coupler. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The infection treatment system of claim 1, including at least one diversion member configured to selectively block at least one opening of the coupler from fluid communication with at least a portion of the plurality of channels of the first and second rods responsive to fluid pressure applied to the coupler in an operative configuration of the system. ### Claim 8 An infection treatment system comprising: a first intramedullary rod configured for placement within an intramedullary canal, the first rod comprising a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft having a longitudinal axis therethrough and extending between the superior and inferior portions, the shaft comprising a plurality of elongate angularly spaced channels extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the inferior portion comprising a base plate defining an array of apertures in fluid communication with the plurality of channels and comprising a fastener depending from the base plate, the fastener comprising at least one opening in fluid communication with the array of apertures, the superior portion comprising a circumferential groove and a stopper superior to the groove, the stopper having an outer diameter equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the shaft; a second intramedullary rod configured for placement within an intramedullary canal, the second rod comprising a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft having a longitudinal axis therethrough and extending between the superior and inferior portions, the shaft comprising a plurality of elongate angularly spaced channels along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the superior portion comprising a base plate defining an array of apertures in fluid communication with the plurality of channels and comprising a fastener extending from the base plate, the fastener comprising at least one opening in fluid communication with the array of apertures, the inferior portion comprising a circumferential groove and a stopper inferior to the groove, the stopper having an outer diameter equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the shaft; and a fenestrated coupler having a superior face, an inferior face, an anterior face, a posterior face, a first lateral face and a second lateral face, a first one of the faces comprising an opening in fluid communication with at least one of the arrays of apertures of the first and second rods, and a second one of the faces comprising a fastener complementary to the fastener of the first rod and an opposing third one of the faces comprising a fastener complementary to the fastener of the second rod. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The infection treatment system of claim 8, further comprising: a therapeutic fluid source; and a pump in fluid communication with the therapeutic fluid source and connected to the opening of the coupler to control the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the opening of the coupler in an operative configuration of the system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The infection treatment system of claim 9, further comprising a vacuum connected to the opening of the coupler to extract fluid from the opening of the coupler in an operative configuration of the system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The infection treatment system of claim 9, further comprising: a therapeutic fluid source; and an integrated pump and vacuum device, wherein in an operative configuration of the system, the device is in fluid communication with the therapeutic fluid source and connected to the opening of the coupler, the pump controlling the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the opening of the coupler, the vacuum controlling the extraction of fluid from the opening of the coupler. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The infection treatment system of claim 10, wherein the therapeutic fluid is an antibiotic. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The infection treatment system of claim 9, wherein the opening of the coupler is located on the anterior face of the coupler. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The infection treatment system of claim 9, wherein the superior face of the coupler comprises a removable superior endplate and the inferior face comprises a removable inferior endplate, each of the endplates comprising a plurality of through-holes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The infection treatment system of claim 14, further comprising a spacer positioned between the superior endplate and the inferior endplate and removably mated thereto. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The infection treatment system of claim 9, wherein the array of apertures of the first rod's base plate and the array of apertures of the second rod's base plate are in registration with the shaft's plurality of channels. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The infection treatment system of claim 9, wherein the at least one opening of the first rod's fastener is a plurality of openings and the at least one opening of the second rod's fastener is a plurality of openings. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The infection treatment system of claim 9, wherein the first and second rod's fasteners are male dovetail fasteners and the fastener of the one of the faces and the opposing one of the faces of the coupler are female dovetail fasteners. ### Claim 19 (depends on 9) The infection treatment system of claim 9, wherein the first and second rod's fasteners are male dovetail fasteners and the fastener of the second one of the faces and the opposing third one of the faces of the coupler are female dovetail fasteners. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The infection treatment system of claim 19, wherein the second one of the faces is the superior face of the coupler and the opposing third one of the faces is the inferior face of the coupler. ### Claim 21 (depends on 9) The infection treatment system of claim 9, wherein the superior face of the coupler comprises a removable superior endplate and the inferior face comprises a removable inferior endplate, each of the endplates comprising a plurality of through-holes. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The infection treatment system of claim 21, further comprising a spacer positioned between the superior endplate and the inferior endplate and removably mated thereto. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The infection treatment system of claim 21, wherein the fenestrated coupler includes at least one coupling securement feature configured to accept a corresponding removable endplate securement feature of an endplate in an interlocking fashion and thereby resist removal of that endplate from the fenestrated coupler. ### Claim 24 (depends on 8) The infection treatment system of claim 8, including at least one diversion member configured to selectively block at least one opening of the coupler from fluid communication with at least a portion of the arrays of apertures of the first and second rods responsive to fluid pressure applied to the coupler in an operative configuration of the system. ### Claim 25 An infection treatment system comprising: a cannulated first intramedullary rod configured for placement within an intramedullary canal, the first rod comprising a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft having a lumen and longitudinal axis therethrough and extending between the superior and inferior portions, the shaft comprising a plurality of angularly spaced openings extending along the longitudinal axis; a cannulated second intramedullary rod configured for placement within an intramedullary canal, the second rod comprising a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft having a lumen and a longitudinal axis therethrough and extending between the superior and inferior portions, the shaft comprising a plurality of angularly spaced openings extending along the longitudinal axis; and a fenestrated coupler attached to the first and second rod in an operative configuration, the fenestrated coupler having a superior face, an inferior face, an anterior face, a posterior face, a first lateral face and a second lateral face, at least one of the faces comprising at least one opening in fluid communication with the plurality of openings of the first and second rods and at least one of the faces comprising at least one opening in fluid communication with the lumen of a corresponding one of the first and second rods. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The infection treatment system of claim 25, further comprising: a therapeutic fluid source; and a pump in fluid communication with the therapeutic fluid source and connected to at least one opening of the coupler to control the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the opening of the coupler in an operative configuration of the system. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The infection treatment system of claim 25, further comprising a vacuum connected to at least one opening of the coupler to extract fluid from the opening of the coupler in an operative configuration of the system. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The infection treatment system of claim 25, further comprising: a therapeutic fluid source; and an integrated pump and vacuum device, wherein in an operative configuration of the system, the device is in fluid communication with the therapeutic fluid source and connected to at least one opening of the coupler, the pump controlling the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to at least one opening of the coupler, the vacuum controlling the extraction of fluid from at least one opening of the coupler. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The infection treatment system of claim 25, wherein the superior face comprises a removable endplate and the inferior face comprises a removable endplate, each of the endplates comprising a plurality of through-holes. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The infection treatment system of claim 29, wherein the fenestrated coupler includes at least one coupling securement feature configured to accept a corresponding removable endplate securement feature of an endplate in an interlocking fashion and thereby resist removal of that endplate from the fenestrated coupler. ### Claim 31 (depends on 25) The infection treatment system of claim 25, including at least one diversion member configured to selectively block at least one opening of the coupler from fluid communication with at least a portion of the plurality of angularly spaced openings of the first and second rods responsive to fluid pressure applied to the coupler in an operative configuration of the system. ### Claim 32 An infection treatment system comprising: a cannulated first intramedullary rod configured for placement within an intramedullary canal, the first rod comprising a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft having a lumen and a longitudinal axis therethrough and extending between the superior and inferior portions, the shaft comprising a plurality of angularly spaced openings extending along the longitudinal axis, the inferior portion comprising a fastener comprising an opening in fluid communication with the lumen; a cannulated second intramedullary rod configured for placement within an intramedullary canal, the second rod comprising a superior portion having a superior end, an inferior portion having an inferior end, and a shaft having a lumen and a longitudinal axis therethrough and extending between the superior and inferior portions, the shaft comprising a plurality of angularly spaced openings extending along the longitudinal axis, the superior portion comprising a fastener comprising an opening in fluid communication with the lumen; and a fenestrated coupler having a superior face, an inferior face, an anterior face, a posterior face, a first lateral face and a second lateral face, a first one of the faces comprising an opening in fluid communication with the openings of the first and second fasteners of the first and second rods, and a second one of the faces comprising a fastener complementary to the fastener of the first rod and an opposing third one of the faces comprising a fastener complementary to the fastener of the second rod. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The infection treatment system of claim 32, further comprising: a therapeutic fluid source; and a pump in fluid communication with the therapeutic fluid source and connected to at least one opening of the coupler to control the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the opening of the coupler in an operative configuration of the system. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The infection treatment system of claim 32, further comprising a vacuum connected to at least one opening of the coupler to extract fluid from the opening of the coupler in an operative configuration of the system. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The infection treatment system of claim 32, further comprising: a therapeutic fluid source; and an integrated pump and vacuum device, wherein in an operative configuration of the system, the device is in fluid communication with the therapeutic fluid source and connected to at least one opening of the coupler, the pump controlling the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to at least one opening of the coupler, the vacuum controlling the extraction of fluid from at least one opening of the coupler. ### Claim 36 (depends on 32) The infection treatment system of claim 32, wherein the superior face comprises a removable endplate and the inferior face comprises a removable endplate, each of the endplates comprising a plurality of through-holes. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The infection treatment system of claim 36, wherein the fenestrated coupler includes at least one coupling securement feature configured to accept a corresponding removable endplate securement feature of an endplate in an interlocking fashion and thereby resist removal of that endplate from the fenestrated coupler. ### Claim 38 (depends on 32) The infection treatment system of claim 32, including at least one diversion member configured to selectively block at least one opening of the coupler from fluid communication with at least a portion of the plurality of angularly spaced openings of the first and second rods responsive to fluid pressure applied to the coupler in an operative configuration of the system.