Patent EA-001263-B1 (EA)
Title: Pressure flow system and method for treating a fluid permeable workpiece such as bone
Inventor: SCARBOROUGH NELSON L
IPC: A61L27/00
Filed: 1998-03-11
Abstract: 1. A pressure flow system for treating the interior of bone with a fluid which comprises:  a) a fluid pressure chamber having a fluid inlet port and an opening formed through a wall of the chamber sized to allow passage of at least a portion of the bone therethrough; b) a pressurizable seal positioned about the opening conformable to the surface of the bone and capable of fluid-tight engagement therewith; and c) a source of pressurized fluid having a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, wherein when the fluid pressure chamber is pressurized to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, fluid from the pressure chamber flows from the pressure chamber through the interior of the bone and exits the bone outside the pressure chamber. 2. A pressure flow system according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizable seal is pressurized with a gas or a liquid. 3. A pressure flow system according to claim 1, further comprising a retainer for preventing movement of the bone. 4. A pressure flow system according to claim 3, wherein the retainer includes a plate adjustability affixed to the exterior of the fluid pressure chamber. 5. A pressure flow system according to claim 4, further comprising a sealing device supported by the retainer, the sealing device being positioned to engage and seal one end of the bone. 6. A pressure flow system according to claim 1, further comprising at least first and second fluid sources communicating with the fluid inlet port. 7. A pressure flow system according to claim 6, wherein the first fluid source is a surface active agent and the second fluid source is alcohol. 8. A pressure flow system according to claim 7, wherein the surface active agent is an octylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol. 9. A pressure flow system according to claim 6, further comprising control means for automatically controlling the ratio of first and second fluids supplied to the pressure chamber by the first and second fluids supplied to the pressure chamber by the first and second fluid sources. 10. A pressure flow system according to claim 1, wherein said pressurizable seal comprises a removable end cap arranged to be secured to and surround said opening, an adjustable seal of somewhat irregular cross-section arranged to surround said opening, a spacer element and a collar positioned between said spacer element and end cap, with said adjustable seal positioned within said collar, and additionally comprising a retainer structure which comprises a retainer plate having a blocking collar situated thereon and arranged to be supported on rods in front of said opening such that said blocking collar is aligned with said opening to engage one end of the bone and prevent the bone from shifting within said opening as a result of pressure differential across said adjustable seal, a deformable sealing member fitted in said blocking collar , and said retainer plate arranged to be movably adjustable along said rods with respect to said end cap. 11. A pressure fluid system according to claim 10, wherein said end cap, collar and spacer element are additionally secured to said chamber by said rods. 12. A method for treating the interior matrix of bone which comprises: a) providing a fluid pressure chamber;  b) positioning at least a first portion of a bone within the interior of the fluid pressure chamber and at least a second portion of the bone outside the fluid pressure chamber; and  c) supplying a fluid at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to the fluid pressure chamber to force the fluid to flow from within the chamber through the interior matrix of the bone to a location outside the fluid pressure chamber. 13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of providing an adjustable seal about an opening in the fluid pressure chamber, the adjustable seal providing a fluid-tight seal about the bone. 14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of water, soaps, solvents, bioactive agents, sterilization agents, antimicrobials, preservatives, dyes and demineralization agents. 15. A method according to claim 12, wherein the step of supplying fluid includes supplying at least first and second fluids. 16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the fluid includes a soap and is supplied to clean and/or disinfect the internal matrix of the bone. 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the soap is a surface active agent selected from the group consisting of cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants. 18. A method according to claim 14, wherein the fluid is a demineralization agent which includes an acid. 19. A method according to claim 14, wherein the fluid is a dye which stains the internal matrix of the bone. 20. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of supplying a fluid includes sequentially supplying a surface active agent and ethanol. 21. A method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of automatically controlling the sequence and timing of the supply of fluids. 22. A method according to claim 14, wherein the fluid is a bioactive agent selected from the group consisting of bone morphogenic proteins, bone active agents, transforming growth factors, insulin-like growth factors, and other growth factors. 23. A method according to claim 12, wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of pharmacologic agents. 24. A method according to claim 12, for treating the interior matrix of bone which comprises forcing a treatment fluid to flow from the endosteal portion of the bone along the natural circulatory path of bone to exit the bone. 25. A method for treating the interior matrix of bone which comprises forcing a treatment fluid at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to flow from the endosteal portion of the bone to the periosteal portion of the bone along the natural circulatory path of bone to exit the bone. 26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the treatment fluid is selected from the group consisting of water, soaps, solvents, bioactive agents, sterilization agents, antimicrobial preservatives, dyes and demineralization agents. 27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the treatment fluid includes a soap and is supplied to clean and/or disinfect the interior matrix of bone. 28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the soap is a surface active agent selected from the group consisting of cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants. 29. A method according to claim 25, wherein the treatment fluid is a demineralization agent. 30. A method according to claim 25, wherein the treatment fluid is a dye. 31. A method according to claim 25, wherein the fluid is a bioactive agent selected from the group consisting of bone morphogenic proteins, bone active agents, transforming growth factors, insulin-like growth factors, and other growth factors. 32. A method according to claim 25, wherein the treatment fluid is selected from the group consisting of pharmacologic agents.