Bone void plugs and methods of use

Abstract

A bone void plug according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a plug body that extends along a longitudinal axis between a proximal face and a distal opening and a recessed opening that extends from the distal opening toward the proximal face, the recessed opening configured to receive a bone void filler.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bone void plug, comprising:
 a plug body that extends along a longitudinal axis between a proximal face and a distal opening; and   a recessed opening that extends from said distal opening toward said proximal face, said recessed opening configured to receive a bone void filler.   
     
     
         2 . The bone void plug as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plug body is circumferentially disposed about said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The bone void plug as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said recessed opening extends from said distal opening to an inner surface of said proximal face. 
     
     
         4 . The bone void plug as recited in  claim 1 , comprising at least one port formed through said proximal face. 
     
     
         5 . The bone void plug as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said port includes a passageway and a septum. 
     
     
         6 . The bone void plug as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said septum is received in a recess formed inside said proximal face, and said recess connects said passageway to said recessed opening. 
     
     
         7 . The bone void plug as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said septum includes an expandable passageway that is aligned with said passageway. 
     
     
         8 . The bone void plug as recited in  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of protrusions that extend radially outwardly from said plug body. 
     
     
         9 . The bone void plug as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said proximal face includes a central opening, and a flexible member is accommodated within said central opening. 
     
     
         10 . The bone void plug as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said flexible member is a graft that is fixated to said plug body. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 positioning a bone void plug relative to a bone void;   inserting a bone void filler into the bone void; and   blocking displacement of the bone void filler out of the bone void with the bone void plug.   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , comprising fixating a flexible member to the bone void plug prior to the positioning step, and wherein the inserting step includes injecting the bone void filler around the flexible member within the bone void. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , comprising:
 inserting a guide pin into a bone;   positioning a cannulated drill bit over the guide pin; and   reaming the bone void with the cannulated drill bit.   
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the positioning step includes pushing or tapping the bone void plug into an opening of the bone void. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the opening is located at a junction between an exterior surface of a bone and the bone void, and the positioning step includes positioning the bone void plug such that a proximal face of the bone void plug is flush with the exterior surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the inserting step includes inserting a delivery tool through a port of the bone void plug. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , comprising visualizing the bone void filler through a second port of the bone void plug. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the positioning step includes positioning a malleable distal face of the bone void plug against an exterior surface of the bone such that the malleable distal face conforms to a shape of the exterior surface and covers an opening of the bone void. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the bone void extends inside of a bone between an opening and a floor, and the positioning step includes:
 inserting the bone void plug into the opening such that a proximal face of the bone void plug sits flush with an exterior surface of the bone and a plug body of the bone void plug extends in a direction toward the floor and contacts a peripheral wall of the bone void.   
     
     
         20 . A bone void plug, comprising:
 a plug body disposed about a central axis between a proximal face and a distal face, said distal face including a malleable material;   a port that extends from said proximal face to said distal face; and   a septum disposed inside said port.