Pressure flow system and method for treating a fluid permeable workpiece such as a bone

Abstract

A pressure flow system and method for its use are provided for contacting the interior of a fluid permeable, e.g., porous, workpiece. The system includes a fluid pressure chamber having an inlet port and an opening formed in one of the chamber walls. An adjustable seal capable of providing a fluid-tight seal about the exterior of a workpiece having a non-uniform surface is positioned within the opening. Fluid under pressure is supplied to the pressure chamber to force fluid to flow through the internal matrix of the workpiece. In a preferred embodiment, the workpiece is a bone or a section thereof, and the fluid is forced to flow from the endosteal portion of bone to the periosteal portion of bone through the vasculature and porous structure of the bone to remove blood, bone marrow and/or other non-bone constituent(s) from the bone. Alternatively, the fluid can be chosen to decontaminate and/or demineralize the bone, to stain the bone to improve visualization of the bone microvasculature or to impregnate with pharmacological agents (antibiotics, bone growth factors, etc.) so that bone can act as a delivery system.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.