Methods and tools for treating bone pain

Abstract

Methods and tools capable of treating diffuse or localized pain attributable to fluid accumulation within a bone. Such methods may utilize an instrument that includes a pilot adapted to penetrate soft tissue between the bone and the skin of a living being. The pilot is used in combination with a penetration tool to penetrate the bone, penetrate into the cortex of the bone, and form a seal against the surface of the bone, and after which fluid is removed from within the bone. Alternatively, the method may utilized a penetration tool equipped with a stopper bar to limit penetration to the periosteum of the bone, and/or may be implanted and connected to an implanted pump.

1 . An instrument for treating pain through decompression of a fluid within a bone of a living being, the instrument comprising:
 a pilot adapted to penetrate soft tissue between the bone and the skin of the living being, the pilot having a first opening at a first end thereof, a second opening at an oppositely-disposed second end thereof, an internal passage therebetween adapted for guiding a penetration tool, and a bevel at the second end, the bevel circumscribing the second opening and being configured to seal against a surface of the bone;   an anchor adapted for securing the pilot to the skin after the second end of the pilot has penetrated the skin and soft tissue;   at least one penetration means sized to be inserted into the internal passage of the pilot and protrude through the second opening of the pilot;   irrigation means for removing an irrigation fluid and bone debris created by penetrating the bone with the penetration means; and   suction means for removing the fluid from within the bone.   
     
     
         2 . The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises a base, a central opening in the base sized to accommodate the pilot therethrough, an adhesive on a first surface of the base for temporarily adhering the anchor to the skin, and an adhesive on a second surface of the base for temporarily adhering the anchor to the pilot. 
     
     
         3 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the anchor further comprises at least one flap that protrudes from the base and defines the second surface thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the penetration means is a drill bit or a needle. 
     
     
         5 . The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the irrigation means comprises a port in the penetration means. 
     
     
         6 . The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the suction means comprises an implantable pump catheter connected to the penetration means and adapted to dispense the fluid directly into tissue of the living being or dispense the fluid outside of the living being.