Drug Delivery And Diagnostic System For Orthopedic Implants

Abstract

A drug delivery and diagnostic system can include an orthopedic implant having an outer attachment surface. A conduit can be coupled to the outer attachment surface. The conduit can have an inlet and a plurality of perforations formed along a length thereof. The conduit can be adapted to pass fluid between the inlet and the perforations. A subcutaneous port can be fluidly coupled to the inlet and be adapted to communicate fluid through the inlet, along the conduit and out of the perforations around and along the outer attachment surface of the orthopedic implant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drug delivery and diagnostic system comprising:
 an orthopedic implant having an outer attachment surface;   a conduit coupled to the outer attachment surface, the conduit having an inlet and at least one perforation formed thereon, the conduit adapted to pass fluid between the inlet and the at least one perforation; and   a subcutaneous port fluidly coupled to the inlet, wherein the subcutaneous port is adapted to communicate fluid through the inlet, along the conduit and out of the perforations around and along the outer attachment surface of the orthopedic implant.   
     
     
         2 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit is spirally wrapped around the outer attachment surface. 
     
     
         3 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 2 , wherein the conduit is formed of biocompatible metal. 
     
     
         4 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 3 , wherein the conduit is one of welded, brazed or glued to the outer attachment surface. 
     
     
         5 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one perforation includes a plurality of perforations formed along a length of the conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 1 , wherein the orthopedic implant comprises a femoral hip stem having a groove formed there along, the groove formed on the outer attachment surface. 
     
     
         7 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 6 , wherein the conduit nests in the groove. 
     
     
         8 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer attachment surface includes a groove formed in an outer surface of the orthopedic implant. 
     
     
         9 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 8 , wherein the orthopedic implant is a femoral stem and the groove extends along a stem portion and a neck portion of the femoral stem. 
     
     
         10 . A drug delivery and diagnostic system comprising:
 an orthopedic implant having an outer attachment surface;   a conduit extending along the orthopedic implant and having an inlet and at least one outlet formed thereon, the conduit adapted to pass fluid between the inlet and the at least one outlet; and   a subcutaneous port fluidly coupled to the inlet, wherein the subcutaneous port is adapted to communicate fluid through the inlet, along the conduit, and through the at least one outlet.   
     
     
         11 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 10 , wherein the conduit is coupled to the outer attachment surface. 
     
     
         12 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 11 , wherein the outer attachment surface includes a groove formed therein. 
     
     
         13 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one outlet includes at least one perforation formed through the conduit. 
     
     
         14 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one outlet includes at least one substantially linear pipe that branches out and extend along the outer attachment surface. 
     
     
         15 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a syringe to fluidly communicate with the subcutaneous port.   
     
     
         16 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 10 , wherein the outer attachment surface extends around the orthopedic implant and the conduit is spirally wrapped around the orthopedic implant and coupled to the outer attachment surface. 
     
     
         17 . A drug delivery and diagnostic system comprising:
 an orthopedic implant having an outer attachment surface comprising a groove formed in the outer attachment surface and extending around the orthopedic implant;   a conduit extending along the orthopedic implant and having an inlet and at least one outlet formed thereon, the conduit adapted to pass fluid between the inlet and the at least one outlet; and   a subcutaneous port fluidly coupled to the inlet, wherein the subcutaneous port is adapted to communicate fluid through the inlet, along the conduit, and through the at least one outlet;   wherein the conduit is coupled with the outer attachment surface.   
     
     
         18 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 17 , wherein the conduit is spirally wrapped around the orthopedic implant and coupled within the groove. 
     
     
         19 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 17 , wherein the conduit is positioned in the groove and the groove has a depth such that the conduit does not extend past the outer attachment surface. 
     
     
         20 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one outlet is selected from a group comprising a perforation or a substantially linear pipe that branches out and extends along the outer attachment surface. 
     
     
         21 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 17 , wherein the orthopedic implant includes a femoral stem. 
     
     
         22 . The drug delivery and diagnostic system of  claim 17 , wherein the conduit and the subcutaneous port are configured to at least one of deliver a therapy or extract fluid.