Patent ID: 7699852
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of introducing a fluid into a bone, comprising: preparing an opening in a bone using a bone tap, the bone tap comprising a body, a passage extending along at least a portion of the body, one or more openings located at a distal end of the body and communicating with the passage, and threading located near the distal end of the body of the bone tap; introducing a fluid to the bone through the passage and at least one of the openings of the bone tap, wherein the fluid comprises bone cement; allowing the bone cement to spread to a portion of the bone, wherein the bone cement is allowed to harden at least partially before the bone tap is removed from the opening in the bone formed by the bone tap; removing the bone tap from the opening in the bone; and introducing a bone fastener into the opening in the bone formed by the bone tap, wherein the portion of the bone filled with the bone cement maintains a shape complementary to the distal end of the body of the bone tap following the removal of the bone tap and prior to the introduction of the bone fastener.