Devices for controlling fluid flow through a medium
AssigneeDePuy Spine, Inc.
InventorsJohn C. Voellmicke, Mathew Parsons, Nicholas Catalano, Randa Bobroff
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid flow system for preparing an implantable substrate is provided having a fluid permeable container that is capable of retaining a biocompatible, implantable substrate, and a driver mechanism for subjecting fluid to a constant force to induce a selected, controlled flow rate of the fluid through a substrate disposed in the container. The system can include a fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, and being effective to selectively retain a fluid. The reservoir is preferably disposed upstream of the container. The system can also optionally include a fluid recycling conduit that is effective to recirculate fluid from the container to the reservoir.
Claims40
A system for preparing a bone graft for implantation, comprising:
- a container defining a reservoir and having an inlet and an outlet;
- a fluid permeable basket disposed within the container and capable of retaining a porous, biocompatible, implantable substrate, the basket comprising a tray-like device having opposed fluid permeable porous members that comprise a porous bottom surface and a porous top surface;
- and
- a driver mechanism coupled to the container and the reservoir, the driver mechanism being effective to subject any fluid within the reservoir to a constant force so as to induce a selected, controlled flow rate of the fluid through the container.
A container for holding an implantable substrate, comprising:
- a fluid retaining member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one fluid impermeable sidewall defining a substantially hollow interior portion;
- a base member mated to and extending in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fluid retaining member, the base member having at least one porous portion adapted to allow fluid to flow therethrough;
- a first lid member removably disposed within the hollow interior portion of the fluid retaining member, the first lid member extending in a direction substantially parallel to the base member and including a handle and at least one porous portion adapted to allow fluid to flow therethrough;
- and
- a second lid member removably mated to the proximal end of the fluid retaining member.
A system for preparing a bone graft for implantation, comprising:
- a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, the reservoir being capable of selectively retaining a fluid;
- a container coupled to the reservoir and having an inlet and an outlet, the container being fluid permeable, but capable of retaining a porous, biocompatible, implantable substrate;
- and
- a driver mechanism coupled to the container and the reservoir, the driver mechanism being effective to subject any fluid within the reservoir to a constant force so as to induce a selected, controlled flow rate of the fluid through the container;
- wherein the driver mechanism comprises a syringe effective to create a constant suction force to transport fluid through the container, the syringe including a barrel and a plunger disposed within the barrel, the plunger being coupled to a constant force spring that is effective to retract the plunger from an initial position, in which the plunger is substantially disposed within the barrel, and a final position, in which the plunger is substantially retracted from the barrel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.