Apparatus and Method for Delivering a Biocompatible Material to a Surgical Site

Abstract

A device for delivering a biocompatible material to a surgical site includes a cannula having proximal and distal portions and at least a first interior lumen disposed therebetween through which the biocompatible material is delivered. The device further includes an initiation member for initiating cross-linking of the biocompatible material while the biocompatible material is within the cannula. The cannula may include a heating element to thermally initiate cross-linking. Alternately, the cannula may include a second lumen for transmitting light from a light source. A movable blocking element controls the amount of light that passes into the first lumen. A method of delivering a curable biocompatible material to a surgical site includes positioning a distal portion of a cannula adjacent the surgical site and introducing the biocompatible material through a first lumen of the cannula. Cross-linking of the biocompatible material is then initiated while the biocompatible material is within the cannula.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
   
   
       26 . A device, comprising: an elongate cannula having a proximal portion adapted to be located outside a body, a distal portion adapted to be located within the body adjacent a site to which a curable biocompatible material is to be delivered, and a first interior lumen disposed between the proximal and distal portions for delivery of a biocompatible material; and an initiation member for initiating cross-linking of the biocompatible material within the cannula. 
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the initiation member comprises a heating element coupled to the cannula. 
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the heating element thermally initiates cross-linking of the biocompatible material. 
   
   
       29 . The device of  claim 26 , further comprising: a temperature element coupled to the cannula. 
   
   
       30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the temperature element measures a temperature indicative of the temperature of the biocompatible material. 
   
   
       31 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the temperature element is a thermocouple. 
   
   
       32 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the temperature element is located adjacent the distal portion of the cannula. 
   
   
       33 . The device of  claim 27 , further comprising a controller operatively coupled to the heating element. 
   
   
       34 . The device of  claim 29 , further comprising: a controller operatively coupled to the temperature element. 
   
   
       35 . The device of  claim 26 , further comprising: a controller operatively coupled to a heating element and a temperature element and adapted to control the heating element in response to the temperature sensed by the temperature element. 
   
   
       36 . The device of  claim 27 , further comprising: an insulating layer on an outer surface of the cannula. 
   
   
       37 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein at least a portion of the cannula provides for visualization of the biocompatible material through an outer wall of the cannula. 
   
   
       38 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the initiation member comprises a light source. 
   
   
       39 . The device of  claim 38 , wherein the light source is capable of photo initiating cross-linking of the biocompatible material. 
   
   
       40 . The device of  claim 38 , wherein the light source is external to the cannula. 
   
   
       41 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein at least a portion of the cannula is formed of a material capable of transmitting light therethrough for photo initiating cross-linking of the biocompatible material. 
   
   
       42 . The device of  claim 38 , further comprising: a controller operatively coupled to the light source. 
   
   
       43 . The device of  claim 26 , further comprising a reservoir operatively coupled to the first lumen to supply a biocompatible material. 
   
   
       44 . The device of  claim 43 , further comprising a controller operatively coupled to the reservoir to control the supply of the biocompatible material. 
   
   
       45 . The device of  claim 26 , further comprising a controller operatively coupled to a reservoir to control the supply of the biocompatible material and a light source to cross-link the biocompatible material.