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Title:
BONE PREPARATION METHOD FOR ENHANCING OSSEOINTEGRATION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2023/014586
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A bone preparation system for enhancing cementless osseointegration of bone implants includes a gas delivery device, for cleaning the bone surface of the bone to receive the implant, and a supply of orthobiologic material or orthobiologic materials for applying to the cleaned bone surface and/or to the implant surface, which promotes bone cell generation at the interface between the bone surface and the implant surface to enhance the osseointegration of the implant to the bone.

Inventors:
SARIN VINEET KUMAR (US)
PRATT CLYDE RONALD (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2022/038775
Publication Date:
February 09, 2023
Filing Date:
July 29, 2022
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
KINAMED INC (US)
International Classes:
A61B17/88; A61L27/36; A61M13/00; B01D53/26
Foreign References:
US5037437A1991-08-06
US6322785B12001-11-27
US4294251A1981-10-13
US5514135A1996-05-07
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
COLLINS, Catherine S. et al. (US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
We claim:

1. A method of preparing a bone surface of a bone of a patient for a cementless arthroplasty surgery of an implant, said method comprising the steps of: providing one or more orthobiologic materials prepared from the patient; resecting or shaping the bone surface of the bone for acceptance of a cementless arthroplasty implant; applying a dry gas to the bone surface; and after applying the dry gas, applying the orthobiologic material to the bone surface and/or to the implant.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising cleaning the bone surface prior to applying the dry gas.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said applying a dry gas includes applying a medical-grade carbon dioxide gas to the bone surface.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said cleaning includes applying saline solution.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising applying suction to suction away fat, marrow and blood, and/or saline solution, from a region of the bone, the region including the bone surface.

34

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said applying a dry gas includes applying a medical-grade carbon dioxide gas to the bone surface.

7. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein said applying a dry gas includes directing the flow of the dry gas to the bone surface at an angle of between about 0 degrees to 90 degrees relative to the bone surface of the bone.

8. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein said applying a dry gas includes applying a dry gas with a constant flow.

9. The method according to any of claims 1-7, wherein said applying a dry gas includes applying a dry gas with a pulsed flow.

10. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein said applying the orthobiologic material includes injecting orthobiologic material into the bone surface.

11. A bone preparation system for preparing a bone surface of a bone of a patient for a cementless arthroplasty surgery of an implant, said bone preparation system comprising: a hand piece having a hand piece body having an inlet port, an outlet port, and an internal passageway extending there through from said inlet port to said outlet port

35 forming a flow path, said hand piece having a valve for opening and closing said internal passageway, and said hand piece having a trigger configured to adjust said valve; a nozzle coupled to said hand piece at said output port; tubing coupled to said hand piece at said input port, said tubing coupling to a supply of dry gas to deliver dry gas to said internal passageway for flowing from said outlet port to apply the dry gas onto the bone surface; and a supply of orthobiologic material.

12. The bone preparation system according to claim 11, further a dispenser for applying the orthobiologic material to the bone surface and/or the implant.

13. A bone preparation system for preparing a bone surface of a bone of a patient for a cementless arthroplasty surgery of an implant, said bone preparation system comprising: a hand piece having a hand piece body having an inlet port, an outlet port, and an internal passageway extending there through from said inlet port to said outlet port forming a flow path, said hand piece having a valve for opening and closing said internal passageway, and said hand piece having a trigger configured to adjust said valve; a nozzle coupled to said hand piece at said output port; a tubing coupled to said hand piece at said input port, said tubing coupling to a supply of dry gas to deliver dry gas to said internal passageway for flowing from said outlet port; and an orthobiologic dispenser for dispensing orthobiologic material onto or into the bone surface and/or the implant.

14. A method of using the bone preparation system of claim 11, 12, or 13 comprising applying suction to suction away fat, marrow and blood, and/or saline, from a region of the bone, the region including the bone surface.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising applying the orthobiologic material to the bone surface.

16. The method according to any one of claims 14-15, further comprising applying a dry gas to the bone surface with the hand piece through the nozzle.

17. A method of using the bone preparation system of claim 11,12, or 13 comprising applying a dry gas to the bone surface with the hand piece through the nozzle.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein applying a dry gas includes applying a medical-grade carbon dioxide gas to the bone surface.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16-18, wherein said applying a dry gas includes directed the flow of the dry gas to the bone surface at an angle of about 0 degrees to 90 degrees relative to the bone surface of the bone.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16-19, wherein said applying a dry gas includes applying a dry gas with a pulsed flow.

Description:
BONE PREPARATION METHOD FOR ENHANCING OSSEOINTEGRATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of US Prov. Appl. Ser. No. 63/228,455, filed August 2, 2021, entitled BONE PREPARATION METHOD FOR ENHANCING OSSEOINTEGRATION, which is commonly assigned to Kinamed and US Appl. Ser. No. 17/875,745, filed July 28, 2022, entitled BONE PREPARATION METHOD FOR ENHANCING OSSEOINTEGRATION, which is commonly assigned to Kinamed.

[0002] This application is related to and incorporates by reference in its entirety US Pat. Appl. Ser. No. 17/343, 989, filed June 10, 2021, entitled BONE PREPARATION SYSTEM, which is commonly assigned to Kinamed.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In traditional joint replacement surgery, bone is prepared to receive a prosthetic implant by first cutting or sculpting the bone with a manual or powered tool such as a saw, drill, or broach which generally exposes the more porous inner cancellous bone.

[0004] In some joint replacement surgery, the joint replacements are secured or fixated with the aid of “bone cement,” a biocompatible grouting material — a typical bone cement is polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The success of such bone cements is thought to depend in part on proper preparation of not only the bone surface, but especially the deeper cancellous “bone bed”. Next, the exposed bone surface is usually cleaned with a sterile saline solution for removal of bone, blood and other tissue debris, and suction is applied to remove the saline fluid and debris. Often, surgical sponges are inserted into a cavity or against the bone surface to absorb excess fluids.

[0005] In another common joint replacement procedure, bone cement is not used — instead, fixation relies on rapid osseointegration at the bone-implant interface (i.e. between the implant surface and the resected bone surface). The extent and quality of osseointegration between bone and implant can be highly variable.

1

SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26 [0006] To improve osseointegration at the bone-implant interface in cementless arthroplasty, efforts have been directed at encouraging bone cell attachment to the surface of the arthroplasty implant. A number of different strategies (e.g. porous coatings, hydroxyapatite coatings) have been used in an attempt to improve the quality of fixation between bone and implant for enhanced bone-implant osseointegration. These strategies are intended to enhance osseointegration by providing the surface with chemical or mechanical mechanisms to which the bone cells more readily attach.

[0007] Notwithstanding the many efforts to improve the implant surface, early failure and pain associated with cementless arthroplasty fixation continues to be a problem. This situation may partially or fully resolve over time, but this does not happen quickly.

[0008] Much less attention has been directed to the optimization of the bone surface itself for achievement of bone-implant osseointegration in cementless arthroplasty. Many authors have stressed the need to avoid thermal necrosis (overheating which leads to cell death) of patient bone while drilling, reaming, and cutting bone during a procedure. Standard clinical practice generally calls for leaving the cut bone surface alone or cleaning the operative field, including the bone, with a saline solution.

[0009] Accordingly, there is a need to improve osseointegration in cementless joint replacement.

SUMMARY

[0010] The invention is a method for using compressed, medical-grade carbon dioxide gas to clean patient bone in order to enhance the bone-implant interface in cementless arthroplasty surgery.

[0011] The method optimizes the bone surface by physical removal of viscous material (e.g. fat, marrow, saline, blood) from the bone and adjacent interstices (the region around the bone surface) in order to create an open, porous latticework at and below the bone surface. [0012] Accordingly, in one embodiment, a bone preparation system for enhancing cementless osseointegration of bone implants includes a gas delivery device, for cleaning the bone surface of the bone to receive the implant, and a supply of orthobiologic material or orthobiologic materials for applying to the cleaned bone surface and/or to the implant surface, which promotes bone cell generation at the interface between the bone surface and the implant surface to enhance the osseointegration of the implant to the bone.

[0013] In one embodiment, the gas delivery device delivers pressurized carbon dioxide gas to clean the surface of the bone to receive the implant. Prior to applying the carbon dioxide gas, the bone surface may be washed with saline solution and the saline solution is evacuated along with any debris, residual blood, fat and/or marrow from the bone surface and surrounding region.

[0014] Following application of pressurized carbon dioxide gas onto the resected and/or shaped bone and evacuation of residual fluid and/or liberated debris, blood, fat, or marrow, an orthobiologic material is applied to the bone followed by the insertion of the implant on to the treated bone surface.

[0015] The orthobiologic material may be a slurry of cancellous bone (i.e. morselized autograft bone chips that are prepared intraoperatively from cancellous bone that is removed from bone that has been resected during an arthroplasty procedure). The orthobiologic material may be autologous bone marrow that is harvested intraoperatively by aspiration. Alternatively, the orthobiologic material may comprise Human Cell Tissue Products (HCTP), such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC), which may be prepared from blood or harvested bone marrow from the patient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. l is a schematic of a bone preparation system;

[0017] FIG. 1 A is a flowchart of a method of using the bone preparation system; [0018] FIG. IB is a flowchart of an alternate method of using the bone preparation system;

[0019] FIG. 1C is an enlarged perspective view of the pressurized gas delivery device of the bone preparation system of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the hand piece and nozzle of the pressurized gas delivery device of FIG. 1C;

[0021] FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation view of the hand piece and nozzle of FIG. 2;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the nozzle with an optional shield mounted to the nozzle;

[0023] FIG. 5 A is a bottom plan view of the nozzle and optional shield of FIG. 4;

[0024] FIG. 5B is another perspective view the nozzle and optional shield of FIG. 4;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the nozzle with another embodiment of an optional shield mounted to the nozzle;

[0026] FIG. 6A is an enlarged bottom plan view of the tip of the nozzle and an optional shield mounted to the nozzle of FIG. 6;

[0027] FIG. 7A is a side elevation view of the hand piece of FIG. 1C with another embodiment of an optional shield mounted to the nozzle;

[0028] FIG. 7B is an enlarged perspective view of the optional shield of FIG. 7A;

[0029] FIG. 7C is a side elevation view of yet another embodiment of an optional shield;

[0030] FIG. 7D is a perspective view of the shield of FIG. 7C;

[0031] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a hand piece of a pressurized gas delivery device;

[0032] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a bone preparation system kit with a third embodiment of a hand piece, with ergonomic packaging; [0033] FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevation of the hand piece of FIG. 9 with another embodiment of an optional shield;

[0034] FIG. 11 is an enlarged side elevation of the hand piece nozzle tip and shield of

FIG. 10;

[0035] FIG. 12 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the nozzle with the shield removed;

[0036] FIG. 13 is another enlarged view of the nozzle tip and optional shield;

[0037] FIG. 14 is cross-section view taken along line XIV-XIV of FIG. 10 rotated

180 degrees;

[0038] FIG. 14A is an enlarged cross-section view of the mounting connection of the nozzle to the hand piece body;

[0039] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the bone preparation system held by a user with another tube shown supported by the hand piece for applying suction or for delivering light to the preparation site;

[0040] FIG. 16 is an exploded partial fragmentary perspective view of second embodiment of a nozzle tip suitable for use with a trunnion;

[0041] FIG. 17A is an exploded partial fragmentary perspective view of a third embodiment of a nozzle tip suitable for use with a trunnion;

[0042] FIG. 17B is a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a nozzle tip suitable for use with a trunnion;

[0043] FIG. 17C is a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a nozzle tip suitable for use with a trunnion;

[0044] FIG. 17D is a similar view to FIG. 17C illustrating the flow of gas through the nozzle tip;

[0045] FIG. 17E is an enlarged cross-section of the lower end of the body illustrating the annular passageway that forms an air knife; [0046] FIG. 17F is a similar view to FIG. 17C illustrating the flow of gas to the outlet of the nozzle tip; and

[0047] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a trunnion collar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 generally designates a system for preparing a bone B in preparation of joining the bone surface of the bone B with an implant I without the use of cement using the method described below. As will be more fully described below, system 10 and method of preparing the bone surface uses a gas delivery device 10A, which is in fluid communication with a dry gas supply 10B, to apply dry gas to the bone surface of the bone B. A suitable gas delivery device is described in co-pending US App. Ser. No. 17/343,989, filed on June 10, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and owned by Kinamed, Inc. of Camarillo, California.

[0049] The system and method further uses a supply of orthobiologic material 10C, which may be autologous bone slurry or bone marrow aspirate or bone marrow that has been optimized or concentrated by commercially available equipment 10D, such as an ART BMC Collection System or an ART PRP Plus System both available from Celling Biosciences. The orthobiologic material 10C is applied to the gas cleaned bone surface to enhance the osseointegration between an implant surface of the implant I and the bone surface of the bone B in a cementless joint arthroplasty.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1 A, system 10 can be used in a method of enhancing the osseointegration (20A (FIG. 1 A) or 120A (FIG. IB)) between an implant I and a bone B in a cementless joint arthroplasty. As best seen in FIG. 1 A, the method (20 A) may first provide an orthobiologic material (22A) that is prepared from harvesting material from the patient undergoing the joint replacement. Orthobiologic materials are substances found naturally in the human body that can improve musculoskeletal healing. Suitable examples of

6

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) orthobiologic materials include autologous bone slurry, bone marrow aspirate, or Human Cell Tissue Products (HCTP) that are prepared, for example, from autologous bone marrow aspirate from a patient’s iliac crest, or collection of whole blood from a patient’s vasculature. Examples of suitable orthobiologic materials that may be used include autologous bone slurry, autologous bone marrow aspirate, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC). Bone slurry consists of morselized autograft bone chips that are prepared intraoperatively from cancellous bone that is removed from resected bone. Bone marrow aspirate is bone marrow that is harvested intraoperatively from the patient’s bone. PRP, which is extracted from processed blood, contains proteins and growth factors and has been shown to stimulate tissue healing. BMAC, which is prepared from harvested bone marrow, contains stem cells and other progenitor cells as well as growth factors, and has been shown to regenerate injured tissue. These are just exemplary, and other orthobiologic materials may be used.

[0051] The collected orthobiologic material may be processed, including being optimized, prior to use (24A). Suitable processing, such as optimization, include well- established techniques and equipment for processing collected bone marrow aspirate or whole blood in order to produce the BMAC or the PRP, respectively. As described above, examples of such equipment include the ART BMC Collection System and the ART PRP Plus System both from Celling Biosciences.

[0052] The bone is then resected or shaped (26A) to form a bone surface for acceptance of a cementless arthroplasty implant. For example, in knee arthroplasty, the proximal tibia is resected and holes or slots are created in the resected tibial surface for acceptance of a tibial knee arthroplasty implant. For example, in hip arthroplasty the femoral canal is prepared to accept a femoral stem hip arthroplasty implant. However, as noted below, if the orthobiologic material is collected from the resected bone, the order of this process may be varied.

7

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0053] Optionally, the resected or shaped bone surface is cleansed with saline irrigation or lavage (28A).

[0054] Optionally, a vacuum may be applied to or near the bone surface (30A) (e g. in the region around and including the bone surface) in order to suction away fat, marrow, saline (if present), and blood from the region around and including the bone surface of the bone.

[0055] The resected or shaped bone surface is then cleaned with compressed medicalgrade dry gas, such as carbon dioxide gas (32A), for example, using a pressurized gas delivery device, such as pressurized gas delivery device 10A (e.g. FIG. 1C) to expose the porous matrix of bone by removing residual fat, marrow, blood, and/or saline, from its surface and subsurface. In this manner the target surface to receive the orthobiologic material is cleaned and rendered more porous. Hence, the applied orthobiologic material can penetrate deeper into the bone surface to speed up the osseointegration process

[0056] Carbon dioxide gas may be used for this method because its safe use within the body. Carbon dioxide diffuses into the bloodstream at a relatively high rate as compared to other gases, and therefore presents a significantly lower risk of embolism.

[0057] After cleaning, the orthobiologic material, optionally processed orthobiologic material, is applied onto or injected into the cleaned, resected or shaped bone surface (34A).

[0058] For example, the orthobiologic material may be dispensed or applied onto the bone surface, injected using a syringe, poured onto the bone surface, sprayed on using a sprayer, wiped on, or using tubing as described below. Optionally, the orthobiologic material may be applied to the surface of the implant to be implanted. The cementless arthroplasty implant is then attached onto or inserted into the treated bone surface (36A).

[0059] Alternately, referring to FIG. IB, when using an orthobiologic slurry, for example, which is formed for example from the resected or reamed or otherwise prepared bone, the method (120A) may first include resecting or shaping (122A) the bone to form a bone surface for acceptance of the cementless arthroplasty implant. For example, as noted above, in knee arthroplasty the proximal tibia is resected and holes or slots are created in the resected tibial surface for acceptance of a tibial knee arthroplasty implant. For example, in hip arthroplasty the femoral canal is prepared to accept a femoral stem hip arthroplasty implant.

[0060] Orthobiologic slurry may consist of a slurry of cancellous bone, i.e. morselized autograft bone chips. The orthobiologic material for forming the orthobiologic slurry (124A), therefore, may be collected by harvesting material from the resected or prepared bone of the patient undergoing the joint replacement. For example, orthobiologic slurry may be formed intraoperatively from cancellous bone that is removed from bone that has been resected during the arthroplasty procedure. Hence the sequence of the process described above may be varied so that the bone is resected prior to forming the orthobiologic material.

[0061] The collected orthobiologic material may be then processed, including being optimized, to prepare the orthobiologic slurry prior to use (126A). Suitable processing, such as optimization, include well-established techniques and equipment for processing collected morselized autograft bone chips to produce the orthobiologic slurry.

[0062] Optionally, similar to the previous method described above, the resected or shaped bone surface is cleansed with saline irrigation or lavage (128A).

[0063] Optionally, a vacuum may be applied to or near the bone surface (130A) (e.g. in the region around and including the bone surface) in order to suction away fat, marrow, saline (if present), and blood from the region around and including the bone surface of the bone.

[0064] The resected or shaped bone surface is then cleaned with compressed medicalgrade dry gas, such as carbon dioxide gas (132A), for example, using a pressurized gas delivery device, such as pressurized gas delivery device 10A (e.g. FIG. 1 C) to expose the porous matrix of bone by removing residual fat, marrow, blood, and/or saline, from its surface and subsurface. In this manner, the target surface to receive the orthobiologic material (orthobiologic slurry) is cleaned and rendered more porous. Hence, the applied orthobiologic material (orthobiologic slurry) can penetrate deeper into the bone surface to speed up the osseointegration process.

[0065] Carbon dioxide gas may be used for this method because its safe use within the body. Carbon dioxide diffuses into the bloodstream at a relatively high rate as compared to other gases, and therefore presents a significantly lower risk of embolism.

[0066] After cleaning, the orthobiologic material, optionally processed orthobiologic material, is applied onto or injected into the cleaned, resected or shaped bone surface (134A). [0067] For example, the orthobiologic material may be dispensed or applied onto the bone surface, injected using a syringe, poured onto the bone surface, sprayed on using a sprayer, wiped on, or using tubing as described below. Optionally, the orthobiologic material may be applied to the surface of the implant to be implanted. The cementless arthroplasty implant is then attached onto or inserted into the treated bone surface (136A).

[0068] Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, as noted, a pressurized gas delivery device 10A may be part of system 10 and further provided in the form of a kit 15A for the system where it can be pre-sterilized and ready for use and further packaged in a sealed package 15, described below, to keep the system sterile. Additionally, pressurized gas delivery device 10A or kit 15A may be disposable.

[0069] Optionally, the pressurized gas delivery device 10A delivers pressured carbon dioxide gas to clean the surface of the bone B (FIG. 1) to receive the implant. Prior to applying the carbon dioxide, the bone surface of the bone may be washed with saline solution and the evacuated of the saline solution along with any debris, residual blood, fat and or marrow from the bone surface. [0070] The application of pressurized dry gas, such as carbon dioxide, onto the resected and/or shaped bone, prepares the resected (or otherwise prepared) bone to allow for superior ingress of the orthobiologic material into the bone.

[0071] As best seen in FIG. 1C, as noted, bone preparation system 10 includes a pressurized gas delivery device 10A (with a hand piece 11 and a nozzle 12) and a tube set 14, which is configured so that it be connected to a medical grade carbon dioxide (CO2) source 10B (FIG. 1) for bone preparation. Additional views of other embodiments of a hand piece and nozzle are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0072] Each system component may be pre-sterilized and provided together in a sealed package 15. Package 15 may be formed from a flexible, and optionally frangible material, such as plastic, including Tyvek or Mylar, or metal foil or the like or a combination thereof, which may include a seam so the package can be manually peeled opened at the seam. For example, package 15 may be formed as a sealed pouch, such as a sealed plastic (e.g. Tyvek or Mylar) pouch or a metal foil pouch.

[0073] Alternately, the package may be formed by a tray, such as a tray made out of polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), with a sealed lid, such as a Tyvek. Optionally, each bone preparation system is sealed within its packaging and is pre-sterilized, such as by subjecting the packaged and sealed bone preparation system to a gamma sterilization process. As will be more fully described below, each bone preparation system may be configured as a single-use device, after which it is disposed of.

[0074] As best seen in FIG. 2, hand piece 11 includes body I la, which forms a hand grip 1 lb and an internal passage 11c that extends between and is in fluid communication with an inlet port 18a and an outlet port 18b to which nozzle 12 is mounted and through which the CO2 gas can flow. As will more fully described below in reference to another embodiment and shown FIG 14, internal passageway 11c may form a straight or linear flow path along a longitudinal axis l id (FIG. 3) that extends through hand piece body 1 la, which provides for low frictional and energy losses that may result in a relatively smooth laminar flow of gas from outlet port 18b. The gas flow through internal passageway 11c is modulated by a trigger 28, described more fully below.

[0075] Body I la may be formed from plastic, such as thermoplastic polymer, as noted below, and is molded into its desired shaped, optionally, in two halves, which are then joined together by welding or fasteners, such as rivets or screws, or may be bonded together such as with an adhesive. Nozzle 12 may too be formed from plastic or metal.

[0076] Trigger 28 is a wedged-shaped member (also optionally molded from plastic) that is pivotally mounted at one corner thereof to body 1 la by a pivot member 28a (FIG. 3) about a pivot axis 28b (FIG. 3). In this manner, trigger 28 can pivot between a fully compressed position in which the trigger 28 is fully pivoted into the body I la, which corresponds to the internal passageway being fully opened, and an uncompressed position in which the internal passageway is closed — and optionally any position in between to modulate the flow of gas through the internal passageway. Optionally, trigger 28 may be mounted to provide an open or closed position only, though greater control is provided over a trigger than can be moved to any position in between. For further optional details of how trigger 28 may be mounted, reference is made to the description and illustration in FIG. 14.

[0077] In the method described herein, various parameters may impact the effectiveness of the cleaning process and, therefore, may be varied. For example, the pressure and velocity of the gas at the point of impact at the bone surface, the angle of attack of the gas, nozzle geometry — and hence gas exit orifice size and shape, time of gas application, gas temperature, graft temperature, and/or the cleaning pattern can individually and collectively be varied.

[0078] Hence, in one method, the flow rate of the gas may vary from 40 liters/minute to 200 liters/minute, from 60 liters/minute to 150 liters/minute, or from 78 liters/minute to

113 liters/minute. With increased flow rate, deeper cleaning and greater porosity may be achieved and hence deeper penetration of the orthobiologic material can be achieved into the bone surface.

[0079] Further, or in another method, the temperature of the gas from the gas source may be varied. For example, the temperature of the gas from the gas source may fall in a range of just above freezing to no greater than the body temperature.

[0080] Additionally, the time of application may vary. For example, the application may be constant for the duration, or may be varied to form a pulsed application for the duration — or may be a combination of both.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 3, trigger 28 is mounted so that in its uncompressed position its distal tip 28c is tangent to line 28d that extends through pivot axis 28b. Line 28d forms an acute angle A in the clockwise direction relative to a vertical axis passing through pivot axis 28b (when the hand piece 11 is oriented with its internal passageway 11c aligned along the horizontal axis). Or stated another way, line 28d forms an obtuse angle Al in the clockwise direction relative to the longitudinal axis of internal passageway 11c.

[0082] Optionally, as best seen in FIG. 1, end 16 of the tube set 14 may be permanently attached to port 18a at the rear of hand piece 11 with a snap fit fitting 40, which when inserted cannot be removed, with the other end 20 equipped with a fitting 22 for connection to a regulated, medical grade CO2 source that is typically located outside of the sterile field. When so arranged, there is no assembly required — once removed from package 15 and once the fitting 22 is connected to a CO2 source, the system is ready to use. The tube set may also include an inline filter 24 that serves to clean and ideally ensure sterile delivery of the medical grade CO2 gas.

[0083] Alternately, tube set 14 may connect to hand piece 11 at port 18a via a bayonet style fitting (such as shown in reference to hand piece 211 in FIG. 14), which may allow removal of the tube set. [0084] In use, a user grips the hand piece 11, places the tip of the nozzle 12 near an area of bone to be prepared, and compresses trigger 28 to start the flow of gas, which also as noted may allow modulation of the flow of gas between a non-flow state and a full flow state, and optionally may impact the pressure of the gas — at the near non-flow state, the pressure may increase, while at the near full flow state the pressure in the emitted gas may be at or approach the pressure of gas source.

[0085] Additional control over the direction of the gas flow is preferably provided by making nozzle 12 rotatable around its longitudinal axis, which may help achieve a better angle with which to clean a particular bone surface, and/or by the style of the nozzle tip 54. For example, in one method when cleaning the central axis 54a, the tip nozzle is tilted downwardly (when viewed from the side of the device 10 as shown in FIG. 3) and may form an acute angle T from horizontal, for example, from about 0 degrees to 90 degrees, or may be orthogonal to the bone surface. Therefore, the attack angle of the gas (angle relative to bone surface) may fall in a range of about 0 (or several degrees) to 90 degrees.

[0086] The size and shape of the nozzle orifice may be varied. For example, the shape may include circular, oval, elliptical, or simply slotted with two circle opposed outer ends.

[0087] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, nozzle tip 54 is configured for treatment of knee replacement, while nozzle tip 154 in FIG. 8 may is more suitable for long bone preparation such as with hip or shoulder replacement. As will be more fully described below in reference with FIGS. 16 and 17, other nozzle tip configurations may be used.

[0088] To facilitate rotation of nozzle 12 around its longitudinal axis, nozzle 12 may include an enlarged collar 30 in FIG. 4 or 130 in FIG. 8 at its connection to hand piece 11 that can be gripped by a user’s finger and thumb that make it easier to rotate the nozzle. Further, as shown in reference to hand pieces 111 and 211 (FIGS. 8 and 9), the collar may incorporate recesses to provide a tactile feedback feature. Though nozzle 12 may be rotatable, it would typically not be removable from hand piece 11. Again, this allows for a simpler construction and encourages one time use of the hand piece.

[0089] As noted above, hand piece 11 and nozzle 12 (and trigger 28) may be made from a plastic, such as thermoplastic polymer, such as ABS. The use of a plastic for the hand piece and nozzle is advantageous, as the material’s low thermal conductivity helps insulate the user’s hand from the low temperature of the flowing, pressurized CO2 gas, and its light weight helps reduce user fatigue that might otherwise occur. Further, as noted above, the hand piece may be formed from two pieces, which are joined together, and further may be formed from two hollow pieces, with the internal passageway and other mounting structures discussed below being formed by internal ribs and walls so that the weight of the hand piece can be further reduced.

[0090] The sterilization process, for example, a gamma sterilization process, tends to degrade certain plastics. While some plastics are “gamma stable” and degrade so slowly as to not be noticeable, others degrade faster. As such, the rate at which the selected plastic degrades will affect the system’s functional shelf life.

[0091] The tubing portion included as tube set 14 is also formed from a plastic, and typically a more flexible plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Referring back to FIG. 1, the tube set’s inline filter 24 includes an inlet 32 and an outlet 34, and is optionally gamma stable, HEPA-rated, and capable of maintaining high flow rates. The tube set would typically include four fittings: Fitting 22 for connection to a regulated medical grade CO2 source, fittings 36 and 38 for connection to the inlet 32 and outlet 34 of filter 24, respectively, and fitting 40 for connection to port 18 on the rear of hand piece 11. Fittings 36 and 38 may be identical and optionally integrated into the filter, while fittings 22 and 40 may have different configurations to provide the appropriate connections with the regulator and the hand piece port 18b, respectively. [0092] The materials with which the fittings are made can also affect the system’s functional shelflife, as they will also be subjected to the sterilization process. Suitable fitting types includes barbed with crimp, barbed with ferrule, and pocket with glue, with barbed with ferrule typically preferred. It would also be possible to use only barbed connections, though this may require an alternate type of tubing.

[0093] An optional feature that may be provided as part of the present disposable CO2 bone cleaning system or as a stand-alone device for use with reusable bone cleaning systems is a shield, which can be configured to prevent the splash or spray of fluid and debris, and may be configured to snap onto the system’s nozzle, which are more fully described below. [0094] Referring back to FIGS 2 and 3, the present system also optionally includes horizontal ribs 90 on the hand grip 1 lb of hand piece 11, to provide a non-slip grip for a user. These ribs may be formed during molding of hand piece body 11 and/or may be formed or enhanced by over molding or co-inj ection molding of a resilient or elastomeric material, such as rubber, to increase the friction between a user’s hand and the hand piece.

[0095] The hand piece may also include a U-shaped channel 94 on the topside of hand piece 11 above grip 1 lb, which is configured to provide a frictional grip of tubing inserted therein. Channel 94 may be formed when molding body I la. Again, ribs and/or a resilient or elastomeric material may be molded on the inside of channel 94 to increase the friction forces on tubing inserted therein. The tubing held in channel 94 may be used, for example, to provide suction as discussed in connection with FIGS. 7B-7D below or which may be used to dispense the orthobiologic material or materials described above or to grip a tube in the form of a “light pipe” that projects light into or onto the bone being prepared (see

FIG. 15 and corresponding description). In one more, the tubing may comprise a dual lumen tubing with an optional valve to switch between applying a vacuum and dispensing the orthobiologic material or materials. [0096] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, the numeral 50 generally designates one embodiment of a shield. When installed, the shield can reduce the splash of fluid and debris created by the gas flow to the region below the shield. The shield 50 may be made from semi-rigid material, such as plastic or metal, that snaps onto the system’s nozzle 12 and maintains its shape under normal conditions, but has the ability to deform when pressed against a rigid or semi-rigid object, allowing the nozzle tip 54 to access and prepare tight spaces, such as the back of a resected proximal tibia surface or a resected posterior femoral condyle. Further, the shield may be made from transparent material, such as a transparent plastic, so that a user can still see the bone that they are preparing.

[0097] As best seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, shield 50 includes a base 52 that forms a collar 52a for mounting the shield to the nozzle adjacent nozzle tip 54. Collar 52a is bifurcated by a split 52b, which forms two spaced terminal edges 58 of collar 52a. Thus, collar 52a forms a curved or C-shaped plate spring with an open side that is smaller than the diameter of the nozzle so that it can be spread and snapped onto nozzle 12, which allows for easy mounting or removal when additional visibility is preferred or after gross removal of fluids or lipids is completed. Edges 58 may be tapered on one or both sides to form a cam surface or cam surfaces to facilitate spreading of the collar when pressed again the nozzle. [0098] Shield 50 also includes a plate 56 that extends from base 52, which is curved or non-planar so that it straddles nozzle tip 54 and forms deflecting surfaces on either side of nozzle tip 54. The opposed edges of plate 56 are continuous with the opposed edges 58 of collar 52a to better wrap around nozzle tip 54, but is generally triangular in shape as seen in FIG 5 so that its distal end is wider than its proximal end adjacent collar 52a, though it may vary, as noted below.

[0099] The splash shield is optionally configured so that it is retractable along nozzle

12, such that it is capable of being slid up the longitudinal axis of the nozzle toward the hand piece. In this manner, when the shield is either not needed or when additional visibility or physical access to a particular area is desired, a user may simply move the shield up along the nozzle’s longitudinal axis rather than remove it. This can be facilitated through the selection of the material, e.g. low friction material to allow the shield to slide and/or by the spring force exerted by the shield on the nozzle, which is designed to provide the snap fit coupling but a coupling that is loose enough to allow the shield to slide. Optionally, as described in reference to hand piece 211, additional structures may be formed on the nozzle to prevent it from sliding too far or to define a discrete position or discrete retracted positions for the shield along the nozzle. The splash shield can have any of a number of shapes — those illustrated herein are merely examples.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 6, the numeral 60 generally designates another embodiment of a shield. Similar to shield 50, shield 60 includes a base 62 that forms a collar 62a for mounting the shield to the nozzle adj cent nozzle tip 54 Collar 62a is also bifurcated by a split 62b, which forms two spaced terminal edges 68 of collar 62a. Thus, collar 62a also forms a curved plate spring with an open side that is smaller than the diameter of the nozzle so that it can be spread and snapped onto nozzle 12.

[0101] In the illustrated embodiment, rather than having a straight cylinder collar, like collar 52a, collar 62a may have a curved outer surface or recesses 62b to provide a tactile surface for easier handling of shield 60. Edges 68 may also be tapered on one or both sides to form a cam surface or cam surfaces to facilitate spreading of the collar when pressed again the nozzle.

[0102] Shield 60 also includes a plate 66 that extends from base 62, which is also curved or non-planar so that it straddles nozzle tip 54 and forms deflecting surfaces on either side of nozzle tip 54. Plate 66 may have a more curved configuration with a fluted portion of region on the opposed sides plate, which are on either side of nozzle tip 54. Further, they may be located at the transition with collar 62a, and only partially extend around the collar to have a more open design to increase user visibility of the nozzle tip. In other words, the opposed edges of plate 66 are not contiguous with the opposed edges 68 of collar 62a and instead are offset around collar 62a from edges 68.

[0103] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the numeral 70 designates another embodiment of a shield in the form of a cone-shaped shield. Shield 70 provides more expansive shielding than the designs shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, but potentially reduces user visibility. Shield 70 is preferably flexible, clear, and removable, and includes a base 72 forming a collar 72a, which may also use the “split” feature as described above, for mounting shield 70 to nozzle 12 adjacent nozzle tip 54 and a cone-shaped cup 74 that extends from base 72, which fully surrounds nozzle tip 54.

[0104] Shield 70 may be configured to provide suction at the distal end of the nozzle, to capture and remove fluids and debris dislodged by the flowing gas. Referring to FIG. 7B, shield 70 may include a suction port 76 in cone-shaped cup 74 that is in fluid communication with the region or space formed around nozzle tip 54. Port 76 may be formed by a generally cylindrical shaped tube, which extends from and may be formed with cup 74, with a cannulated barb 76a to which suction tubing may be attached to form a suction line.

[0105] In another embodiment (FIGS. 7C-7D), shield 80, which is similar to shield 60, includes a channel 88, which is formed or provided on the upper surface of shield 80, and runs from the proximal end of base 82 to the distal end of plate 86. For optional details of base 82 and plate 86 reference is made to shield 60.

[0106] Channel 88 includes a port 88a in the form of a cylindrical tube that is in fluid communication with internal passageway 88b of channel 88, which may include a cannulated barb 88c for connection with suction tubing to also form a suction line. Here, the vacuum pressure from the suction line is directed by channel 88 to the distal end 86a of the splash shield 80 or plate 86 to effectively remove fluids contained by the shield. While illustrated as provided on the outer surface of shield 80, channel 88 may be internally formed in plate 86 and base 82 so that it maintains the same outer surface topography as shield 60, or it may be formed on in the inside surface of base 82 and/or plate 86.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 8, the numeral 111 designates another embodiment of a hand piece that is suitable for use in the system described above. Hand piece I l l is similar to hand piece 11 and includes a hand piece body 11 la with an internal passageway 111c and a nozzle 112 mounted to the hand piece body I l la. In the illustrated embodiment, hand piece 111 includes a trigger 128 with a greater range of motion. As best seen in FIG. 8, trigger 128 preferably extends further out from hand piece 111 than it does in the previous embodiment, and hence has a correspondingly longer travel. The hand piece I l l is also optionally designed such that the volume of gas that flows through the nozzle in a given period of time varies with trigger position. As such, the present system’s longer travel provides an even greater control over modulation of the gas flow.

[0108] In the illustrated embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 8, trigger 128 is mounted so that in its uncompressed position its distal tip 128c extends to the tangent line 128b that extends through pivot axis 128a. Line 128b forms an acute angle B in the counter clockwise direction relative to a vertical axis passing through pivot axis 128a (when the hand piece is oriented with its internal passageway aligned along the horizontal axis). Alternatively, stated another way, line 128b forms an acute angle Bl in the clockwise direction relative to the longitudinal axis of internal passageway 111c.

[0109] Further, nozzle 112 includes an adjustment collar 130 that includes a plurality of recesses 130a to form a tactile feedback feature that allows a user to rotate the nozzle as desired about its longitudinal axis.

[0110] In the illustrated embodiment, nozzle 112 includes a nozzle tip 154 is configured for long bone preparation and is formed by the terminal end (cut at ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis of nozzle 112). Although not formed with ribs or indentations, handgrip 111b may be formed from a high friction material to improve the grip of a user. [oni] In another embodiment, hand piece 211 (FIGS. 9-11), which is of similar construction to hand pieces 11 and 111, includes a hand piece body 211a, similar to body 11 la, a trigger 228, similar to trigger 128, and a modified nozzle 212 with a modified optional shield 260.

[0112] Referring to FIGS. 12-13, nozzle 212 includes a pair of ribs 212a and a stop 212b, which define the proper position of shield 260. Ribs 212a may be formed when molding nozzle 212 and are radially spaced around nozzle 212 adjacent nozzle tip 254 (which is similar to nozzle tip 54). Each rib 212a includes a linear portion 212c, which runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of nozzle 212, and an angle portion 212d that is angled toward the upper side of nozzle 212 to form a guide surface, as well as a stop, for shield 260. Stop 212b is aligned at the proximal end of linear portions 212c and is positioned in the upper side of nozzle 212 to contact and, hence, form a stop for shield 260 when shield 260 is mounted onto nozzle 212. Together angled portions 212d and stop 212b may form a defined position for the shield and further help form the snap fit or friction fit for the shield 260 to reduce unintentional disengagement of the shield from nozzle 212.

[0113] In the illustrated embodiment, shield 260 is of similar constriction to shield 60 and includes a base 262 and a curved extended plate 266 that extends from base 262. Base 262 also is formed by a bifurcated collar 262a whose slit 262b is sized so that its opposed edges 268 are spaced so that they must be separated to allow shield 260 to be mounted on nozzle 212. When mounted, opposed edges 268 rest on ribs 212a. In the illustrated embodiment, collar 262a includes a notch on its opposed sides, which matches the angled portions 212d of ribs 212a so that when mounted to nozzle 212, base 262 will either form a snap coupling with nozzle 212 and/or fit tightly in the space defined by the ribs and stop on nozzle 212.

[0114] To facilitate placement or removal of shield 260, base 262 optionally includes a projecting flange 270, which may include recesses on its opposed sides to form tactile surfaces on the either side of flange 270 to further enhance a user’s grip of and ability to place shield 260. Additionally, base 262 may include a visual indication 272, such as a triangle, which a user can use to align with the stop 212b, which may be in the form of an arrow, to assure proper alignment of the shield 260 on nozzle 212.

[0115] Referring now to FIG. 9, bone preparation system 210 includes the hand piece 211, nozzle 212, both described above, along with tube set 14 (described in reference to the first embodiment) and a shield 260 (optional), also described above. In addition to being enclosed in a package 215, similar to package 15 described above, the bone preparation system 210 includes a carrier 215a to hold the various components in a planar arrangement to improve the organization of the components and protect them during transport.

[0116] Carrier 215a may be formed from a sheet of plastic with a plurality of couplers arranged in a plane. Each coupler may be formed from cuts outs 215b in the sheet that can be folded over and interconnected to form loops 215c around the components. Other cutouts may simply fold upwards with slots 215d to allow a component, such as a shield, to be held by simply being inserted into the slot. In this manner, when removed from the pouch, the various components will remain supported on the carrier and, further, allow the components to be disconnected in a sequence that reduces the chance of contamination.

[0117] For example, the end of the tube set may first be removed and connected to the CO2 supply, and then the tubing may be unwound, with the hand piece then removed followed by the shield, which can then be mounted to the nozzle.

[0118] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 14A, as noted above in reference to hand piece 11, nozzle 212 may be configured to form a snap fit coupling with hand piece body 211a at output port 218b. As best seen in FIG. 14A, nozzle 212 includes an enlarged base 280, which forms collar 230 and includes a tapered passageway 280a that is in fluid communication with the internal passageway 211c of hand piece 211. Base 280 includes a stepped profile with an annular rim or ring 282. Ring 282 forms a channel 284 for receiving an O-ring seal 284a between ring 282 and the end of nozzle 212 to seal the nozzle 212 in hand piece body 211a. Ring 282 provides the rotational connection for the nozzle 212 in hand piece body 211a, while still remained sealed in the hand piece body via the o-rig seal. The same or similar connection may be used in the previous embodiments.

[0119] As best seen in FIGS. 12 and 14A, ring 282 may have an angled outer surface 282a, which matches the internal profile of hand piece body 21 la in passageway 211c, and which also may be received in a notch 21 Id formed in hand piece body 21 la in passageway 211c to form the snap fit coupling with hand piece body 211a. The hand piece body 211a may be configured to form a spring or snap arm 21 le (FIG. 12) adjacent notch 21 Id to further enhance the snap fit coupling of nozzle 212 and, further, to form a frangible part so that if nozzle 212 is pulled from hand piece 211 the arm will break and hand piece 211 will no longer be usable. Thus, nozzle 212 and hand piece 211 have an interfacing snap fit design that allows for the nozzle to be rotated while maintaining the O-ring seal and the physical connection between these pieces. This is further facilitated by snap arm 21 le that snaps over the ramped surface 282a of ring 282.

[0120] The internal configuration of any of the disposable hand pieces described above may have several additional optional features, as described below and illustrated in FIG. 14. For example, referring to FIG. 14, as noted above, the trigger 228 is pivotally mounted at one end via a pivot member 228a, which pivotally mounts trigger 228 about axis 228b in hand piece body 211a. The other end of trigger 228 includes a tab 229, which extends through internal wall 211g into the hollow space 211b’ of hand grip 21 lb via a slotted opening 21 Ih in wall 211g and, as such, mounts trigger 228 in hand piece body 211a for movement between its fully compressed position (where the internal passageway 211c is fully open) and its fully uncompressed position (where the internal passageway 211c is fully closed by the valve stem described below). Further, tab 229 prevents the trigger from pivoting beyond its closed position (as shown in FIG 14). Pivot member 228a and tab 229 may be both formed with trigger when molding trigger 228.

[0121] As noted above, trigger 228 controls the flow of fluid through internal passageway 211c of hand piece body 211a. To that end, trigger 228 supports a valve stem 286, which is mounted in a passageway 21 If along valve axis 286a, which intersects with passageway 211c. In this manner, as valve stem 286 moves along valve axis 286a in passageway 21 If, the internal passageway 211c of hand piece 211 will open or close to allow fluid to flow though hand piece 211. The amount of flow will, therefore, be controlled and modulated by the position of the valve stem 286 in passageway 21 If, as controlled by trigger 228.

[0122] As best seen in FIG. 14, trigger 228 includes a recess 228d to support the end of valve stem 286 as the valve stem is moved through passageway 21 If by trigger 228. To urge the trigger 228 in its fully closed position, hand piece 211 includes a spring 290, which applies a spring force on trigger 228 through its full range of motion and keeps trigger 228 closed until user activation. Spring 290 is a coil spring mounted between a projection 228, such a cylindrical trunnion, formed on trigger 228, and a similar projection 21 Ij, such as cylindrical trunnion, formed in hand piece body 211a. Further, in the illustrated embodiment spring 290 is not directly on the axis 286a of valve stem 286, and instead is offset from valve stem 286. Optionally, spring 290 is oriented with its compression axis 290a so that it is generally parallel to valve axis 286a of valve stem 286 and, therefore, allows for a more compact hand piece assembly since the spring and flow valve can occupy adjacent vertical space. Spring 290 may comprise a non-linear spring or a linear spring so that a uniform applied force on trigger 28 will produce a linear response in the movement of valve stem 286. [0123] Optionally, as best seen in FIG. 14, the input port 218a of hand piece 218 may have a fitting with one or more O-ring seals and a cannulated barbed end to facilitate the connection of the tubing of tube set 14 to hand piece 211. [0124] Similar to hand piece 11, hand piece 211 may also include a U-shaped channel 294 on the topside of hand piece 211 above grip 211b, which is configured to provide a frictional grip of additional tubing 16 or tube 16a inserted therein, which may be used, for example, to provide suction or which forms of a light pipe to project light on to the bone being prepared. Channel 294 may be formed when molding body 211a. Again, ribs and/or a resilient or elastomeric material may be molded on the inside of channel 294 to increase the friction forces on tubing inserted therein.

[0125] In any of the above embodiments (as well as variations thereof), the nozzle tips of the various hand pieces may be varied as described in reference to the first embodiment and, further, configured to clean or dry trunnions on implants. Many orthopedic implants utilize a trunnion to connect mating, modular components to them. A trunnion is a carefully engineered truncated cone feature on the implant that provides a place to mate the modular component, which has a matching conically tapered trunnion receptacle portion. The surfaces of these trunnion features must be precisely shaped and machined to very close tolerances to ensure a very precise fit so that micro motion between the two parts joined by the trunnion is minimized. These modular components in orthopedic implants typically experience very high cyclic loads, making the surfaces that are joined by the trunnion susceptible to fretting wear and other forms of corrosion. Wear and corrosion due to this micro motion has been shown to liberate metal debris that can be very damaging and toxic to both nearby and remote tissues in the patient. Therefore, in addition to having available carefully designed and machined trunnion components to implant, the surgeon must ensure that, during the surgical procedure, the trunnion surfaces are as clean as possible before assembly of the modular components so that their precise interfit is not compromised in any way. The implant that incorporates the male portion of the trunnion joint is typically implanted first and is left exposed to blood and other tissue debris during the procedure. The modular component that incorporates the female portion of the trunnion connection is typically opened from its package and immediately applied to the male portion so is therefore less exposed to contamination in the surgical field.

[0126] The present bone preparation systems would preferably be offered in several different configurations or ‘kits’, each intended for a specific application. For example, one kit might be intended for use during knee replacement surgery, and another for use during hip or shoulder replacement surgery. The nozzle designs are preferably optimized for each of these applications and would thus be different, resulting in different kit configurations.

Accordingly, any of the above hand pieces may be fitted with a nozzle tip that is configured to prepare the male portion of a trunnion.

[0127] Referring to FIG. 16, in one embodiment of a nozzle tip 354, nozzle tip 354 is configured with a cone-shaped body 300 that is suitable for use with cleaning trunnions.

Cone shaped body 300 may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as plastic, so as to prevent possible scratching or damage of the trunnion during use. As best seen in FIG. 16, one end 354a of cone shaped body is tapered down and configured to form an inlet port 302 attached to or formed with the respective nozzle (e.g. in place of nozzle tips 54, 154, 254) of a hand piece. Compressed sterile CO2 gas can, therefore, be introduced through inlet port 302 from the respective hand piece onto a trunnion 310 located in cone-shaped chamber or space 300c formed by cone-shaped body 300. As described more fully below, nozzle tip 354 is configured to direct the gas downwardly onto the trunnion 310.

[0128] In the illustrated embodiment, cone-shaped body 300 includes an inner conical wall 300a and an outer conical wall 300b to define an inner space there between that forms into which gas flow is directed from inlet port 302. Body 300 may be molded as a one-piece member from a single material or molded as a one piece from multiple materials, such as by co-inj ection molding, or may be assembled from multiple pieces (e.g. each molded) and joined together, for example by fasteners or welding. Therefore, at least the inner wall may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as plastic. [0129] Inner conical wall 300a forms cone-shaped chamber or space 300c (with a central cone axis) that is sized to form fit over and receive trunnion 310 therein and, further, forms a space there between to allow the CO2 gas to flow over the trunnion, and also allow the CO2 gas stream to impact the trunnion surface at a desired angle. To that end, inner conical wall 300a includes a plurality of passageways 304 that form apertures or openings 304a, which are arranged optionally in a uniform spacing along wall 300a (both vertically and horizontally). Passageways 304 are optionally angled downwardly to form an acute angle relative to the central cone axis so that when CO2 flows from the openings 304a, the gas will be directed downwardly onto the trunnion 310. The number and size and shaped of openings may vary. In the illustrated embodiment, the passageways are circular in crosssection in wall 300a but form oblique openings 304 at inner wall surface 300c. The shape of the openings 304 may be varied, however, as noted.

[0130] Openings 304a, therefore, can generate vectors 306 of compressed CO2 being directed distally (towards the trunnion) to push fluid away or down along and away from the trunnion. Additional openings 308 may also be located in the base rim of cone-shaped body 300 in a base wall 300d, which connects the inner and outer walls 300a and 300b together. CO2 flowing through these openings can clean an exposed bone surface. Cone-shaped body 300 may be designed to mate with, for example, a femoral stem trunnion 310, which should be kept clean to prevent mechanically assisted crevice corrosion (MACC) and subsequent adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR).

[0131] As shown in FIG. 17A, the numeral 454 designates yet another embodiment of a nozzle tip that is designed to direct the gas onto a trunnion 410. In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle tip is configured to direct the gas upwardly (and therefore forms an obtuse angle relative to the central axis of the cone). In this manner, the gas and liberated debris can flow up and into an outlet 422 provided in the form of a collection cup 422a in the upper portion of nozzle tip 454, which is then in fluid communication with a conduit 424, which directs the gas and debris to the outside of the nozzle tip for and includes a connection 424a for connection with a suction connection 424a, which in turn connects a suction tube.

[0132] In the illustrated embodiment, similar to nozzle tip 354, nozzle tip 454 is formed from a conical-shaped body with an inner wall 400a and an outer wall 400b, which define there between a space into which the gas is flowed from inlet port 402 (which is coupled to a supply tube 402a that connects to a gas supply) and directed onto the trunnion 410 (positioned therein) positioned in chamber 400c via passageways 404. Similarly, body 400 may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as plastic, so as to prevent possible scratching or damage of the trunnion during use, and may be molded as a one-piece member from a single material or molded as a one piece from multiple materials, such as by coinjection molding, or may be assembled from multiple pieces (e.g. each molded) and joined together, for example by fasteners or welding.

[0133] In this embodiment, as noted, passageways 404 are angled upwardly so that opening 404a are also oblique but direct the flow of gas upwardly onto a trunnion positioned in nozzle tip 454.

[0134] For example, nozzle tip 454 may be configured to cover or mate with, for example, a femoral stem trunnion 410, which should be kept clean to prevent MACC and subsequent ALTR. An alternate configuration can place the suction connection at the top of the trunnion cleaner (offset from the compressed gas inlet) so that suction flow is in alignment with the direction the fluid and debris is being blown. With both versions, the gas could be directed via small holes (as depicted) or via a semi-circumferential angled slot at the base of the cone (not depicted).

[0135] Referring to FIG. 17B, the numeral 554 designates yet another embodiment of a nozzle tip. In the illustrated embodiment, nozzle tip 554 is also formed from a conicalshaped body 500. Similarly, body 500 may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as plastic, so as to prevent possible scratching or damage of the trunnion during use, and may be molded as a one-piece member from a single material or molded as a one piece from multiple materials, such as by co-inj ection molding, or may be assembled from multiple pieces (e.g. each molded) and joined together, for example by fasteners or welding.

[0136] Body 500 includes an inner wall 500a and an outer wall 500b, which define there between a space into which the gas is flowed from inlet port 502 (supply tube not shown) and directed onto the trunnion (positioned therein) positioned in chamber 500c via passageways 504. The gas and debris are then directed to an outlet 522, provided in the form of a collection cup 522a, similar to the previous embodiment.

[0137] In this embodiment the passageways 504 are arranged in a single row around and adjacent the base opening of body 500, to create an “air knife” (focused pressure gradient) that is directed upwards along the surface of the trunnion, to urge the fluidic debris upwards toward the vacuum collection point at outlet 522. Similar to passageways 404, passageways 504 are angled upwardly so that opening 504a are also oblique but direct the flow of gas upwardly. For further details of the collection cup and tubing that directs the gas and liberated debris away from the trunnion and to discharge tube or the like reference is made to the above embodiment.

[0138] Referring to FIG. 17C, the numeral 654 designates yet another embodiment of a nozzle tip. In the illustrated embodiment, nozzle tip 654 is also formed from a conicalshaped body 600 with an inner wall 600a and an outer wall 600b, which define there between a space into which the gas is flowed from inlet port 602 through an inlet tube 602a, which maybe coupled to a high pressure source. Similarly, body 600 may be formed from a non- metallic material, such as plastic, so as to prevent possible scratching or damage of the trunnion during use, and may be molded as a one-piece member from a single material or molded as a one piece from multiple materials, such as by co-inj ection molding, or may be assembled from multiple pieces (e.g. each molded) and joined together, for example by fasteners or welding. [0139] In the illustrated embodiment, body 600 directs gas onto the trunnion (positioned in chamber 600c) via one or more annular passageways 604, which may also generate an “air knife” .

[0140] As best seen in FIG. 17D, body 600 includes a central opening 600d, which is in fluid communication with the chamber 600c and which extends through the upper end or top of the body to thereby form an outlet 622 (see e.g. FIG. 17C). An inverted collection cup 622a may be located spaced from outlet 622 and includes a connection 622b for connection to a vacuum tube (not shown) to suction gas and debris that impinges on the collection surface 622c of cup 622a. The vacuum tube is coupled to a suction source so that the gas and debris may be removed, similar to the previous embodiments.

[0141] In the illustrated embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 17E, the passageway 604 comprises a single annular passageway or slit formed in inner wall 600a, optionally around and adjacent the base opening of body 600. Similar to passageways 504, passageway 604 may be angled upwardly so that opening 604a directs the flow of gas upwardly. Alternately, passageway 604 may be at least approximately perpendicular to the central axis of the cone. [0142] Thus passageway 604 also creates an “air knife” (focused pressure gradient) that is directed upwards along the surface of the trunnion positioned in chamber 600c (even when perpendicular the air knife may be directed upwardly depending on the shape of the trunnion) to urge the gas and fluidic debris upwards toward the vacuum collection point at port 622. With the high pressure gas flowing into inlet 602, high pressure gas jets, labeled as arrows A (FIG. 17D) are generated- which flow into chamber 600c as well as toward outlet 622. The annular slit may also induce a secondary flow of ambient air, CO2, and debris

(arrows labeled B in FIG. 17D and 17E) in the chamber 600c entering at the base opening and then flowing towards the outlet 622 at the top of body 600. In this sense, the induced flow acts as a “compressed air” vacuum. [0143] Optionally, as noted, collection cup 622a may be spaced from outlet 622 to form one or more vents so that the debris and gases exiting from the top of the device could pass towards low pressure atmosphere. With compressed air vacuums, the gas and debris flow typically go into a fabric bag that captures the debris and allows the gas to escape to atmosphere. In this manner, the gas flow changes direction and heavier substances fall out on the bend and collide with a collecting surface. In this embodiment, the change of direction of the gas is the labeled with arrow C, and the heavier substances are designated using arrows D. Thus, the active suction line is attached to the collection cup 622a at the center of body 600 and includes a collecting surface 622c, which can straddle the opening at outlet 622 to capture and remove the collected fluid debris as it occurs.

[0144] Optionally, collection cup 622a may be attached to body 600, but, as noted, at a spacing or distance to thereby form one or more vents, which allows the overall gas flow to vent efficiently through a circumferential gap between the cup and body 600, and capturing the debris to be evacuated by the suction tube instead of requiring the use of sponges or towels. Alternatively, possibly a filter bag could be employed as previously mentioned.

[0145] While some of the nozzle tips for cleaning trunnions are shown absent the nozzles or hand pieces, it should be understood that they could also be included as part of the system, like the other nozzle tips shown herein. Further, while several of the nozzle tips are described in the context of use with trunnions, these nozzle tips may also be used on other tapered or cylindrical shaped object to be cleaned. Additionally, features described in reference to one tip may be incorporated into the other tips describe herein. Therefore, the use of the term “embodiment” is for convenience only and not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0146] Although not specifically mentioned for each of the above components, any of the hand pieces and their respective components parts (and accessories) may be made from plastic or metal or both. Though as noted, in some instances a plastic construction may be more suitable, for example, to reduce scratching or damage of the bone or the trunnion. Further, the hand pieces and their respective components parts (and accessories) may be molded, such as by injection molding, including co-inj ection molding, or cast molding or 3D printed or the like. They may be formed as a one-piece (unitary) construction or from multiple pieces that are then assembled together.

[0147] When using any of the nozzle tips, a disposable (surgical drape or similar) or reusable (silicone or similar) sleeve 530 may be used. Referring to FIG. 18, sleeve 530 may be configured as an annular ring that attaches to the nozzle tip, such as nozzle tips 354, 454, 554, or 654 and includes a central opening 532, for example, a slotted opening or an opening with a plurality of radially extending slots, so that it can be slid down the trunnion, e.g. trunnion 534, and adapted to the circumference of the trunnion or bone. Sleeve 530 may be used to catch and/or absorb a majority of displaced blood and tissue debris. This sleeve can be in place while the femoral or humeral head is assembled onto the trunnion, which is a feature that ensures that the trunnion can be kept clean through the assembly process. If necessary, the sleeve could be composed of an inner absorbable material and an outer impermeable layer. This sleeve could have a split 536 along at least one side to allow for easy removal (and assembly). This sleeve would be most advantageous for the trunnion cleaner nozzle tip embodiment shown in FIG. 16, due to the direction of the gas flow, which could otherwise direct blood and debris beyond the surgical working site.

[0148] A potential method or workflow would be: The trunnion is cleaned of gross debris (wiped or similar); the sleeve is inserted; the trunnion is given a final cleaning; the prosthetic head is mated to the trunnion; finally, the sleeve is removed.

[0149] While several forms of the hand piece, nozzle, tip, shield, and packaging have been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more of the features of one hand piece may be incorporated into the other hand pieces descried herein. Similarly, one or more of the features of one tip may be incorporated into the other tips described herein. In addition, one or more of the features of one shield may be incorporated into the other shields described herein, and one or more of the features of one packaging or packaging arrangement may be incorporated into the other packaging or packaging arrangements described herein. As noted above, the use of the term “embodiment” is used for convenience to refer to the illustrated combinations and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.