Abstract: A system for restoring height of a vertebral body with a balloon and stabilizing the vertebral body with bone cement. A delivery tube extends from a handle and may be formed from a flexible polymer and a radiopaque filler. The flexible polymer maintains a patent lumen along a curve so as to receive sequential introduction of the balloon and the bone cement to within the vertebral body at a location offset from a longitudinal axis. The radiopaque filler provides for at least a portion of the delivery tube being radiopaque under fluoroscopic visualization. The radiopaque filler may be barium, and the delivery tube may be constructed from coextruding the flexible polymer with the barium. Visual indicia on the handle may indicate a position of the delivery tube relative to another component of the system such as an access cannula. The visual indicia may indicate a direction of the curve.

Abstract: A system for restoring height of a vertebral body with a balloon and stabilizing the vertebral body with bone cement. A delivery tube extends from a handle and may be formed from a flexible polymer and a radiopaque filler. The flexible polymer maintains a patent lumen along a curve so as to receive sequential introduction of the balloon and the bone cement to within the vertebral body at a location offset from a longitudinal axis. The radiopaque filler provides for at least a portion of the delivery tube being radiopaque under fluoroscopic visualization. The radiopaque filler may be barium, and the delivery tube may be constructed from coextruding the flexible polymer with the barium. Visual indicia on the handle may indicate a position of the delivery tube relative to another component of the system such as an access cannula. The visual indicia may indicate a direction of the curve.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a bone structure. The system includes a guide device and an overlying delivery tube. A distal portion of the guide device is positionable within the bone structure and operable in a straight configuration and a curved configuration relative to a longitudinal axis. The overlying delivery tube comprises flexible polymeric material. The flexible polymeric material facilitates the delivery tube assuming a curve within the bone structure relative to the longitudinal axis when the guide device is in the curved configuration. The flexible polymeric material maintains a patent lumen along the curve when the guide device is withdrawn. The system may include an access cannula configured to penetrate the bone structure, and/or an expandable member insertable through the patent lumen along the curve. A delivery device may deliver curable material through the patent lumen along the curve to a target site within the bone structure.

Abstract: A system for augmenting a bone structure. A shape memory device includes a deflectable distal segment including temperature-dependent memory metal material. The shape memory device is slidably received within a guide cannula. The deflectable distal segment may include a substantially longitudinally straightened form, such as when subjected to a force from the guide cannula. The deflectable distal segment forms a first deflected shape having a first bend away from said straight longitudinal axis at a first elevated temperature greater than an initial temperature, and forms a second deflected shape having a second bend away from said straight longitudinal axis at a second elevated temperature greater than said first elevated temperature. The shape memory device may create voids within the bone structure with the deflectable distal segment at the first and/or second bends. Methods for positioning a shape memory device within a bone structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a bone structure. The system includes a guide device and an overlying delivery tube. A distal portion of the guide device is positionable within the bone structure and operable in a straight configuration and a curved configuration relative to a longitudinal axis. The overlying delivery tube comprises flexible polymeric material. The flexible polymeric material facilitates the delivery tube assuming a curve within the bone structure relative to the longitudinal axis when the guide device is in the curved configuration. The flexible polymeric material maintains a patent lumen along the curve when the guide device is withdrawn. The system may include an access cannula configured to penetrate the bone structure, and/or an expandable member insertable through the patent lumen along the curve. A delivery device may deliver curable material through the patent lumen along the curve to a target site within the bone structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stabilization of a bone structure. A distal curved portion of a delivery tube is directed through an access cannula to a target site within the bone structure. The distal curved portion forms a curved path with respect to the access cannula. A cavity-forming device including an expandable member is adapted to be curved by a support structure in the expandable member. The curve may be provided by tracking the curved path formed by the delivery tube. The support structure may provide trackability and pushability to the expandable member of the cavity-forming device as it is directed into the curved path. Curable material is delivered through the delivery tube into a cavity formed by expanding the expandable member within the bone structure. The cavity is offset relative to the access cannula and/or the distal curved portion of the delivery tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods for height restoration and stabilization of a bone structure. An expandable member is directed in a contracted state to a first target site within the bone structure. The expandable member is transitioned from a contracted state to an expanded state within the bone structure. A curable material is delivered to a second target site within the bone structure while the expandable member remains in the expanded state within the bone structure at the first target site. The expandable member is transitioned from the expanded state to the contracted state. The expandable is removed member from the bone structure. Transitioning the expandable member to the expanded state may alter the vertebral body from a fractured height to a restored height greater than the fractured height. The curable material may be delivered within the vertebral body while the first expandable member maintains the vertebral body at the restored height.

Abstract: A system for augmenting a bone structure. A shape memory device includes a deflectable distal segment including temperature-dependent memory metal material. The shape memory device is slidably received within a guide cannula. The deflectable distal segment may include a substantially longitudinally straightened form, such as when subjected to a force from the guide cannula. The deflectable distal segment forms a first deflected shape having a first bend away from said straight longitudinal axis at a first elevated temperature greater than an initial temperature, and forms a second deflected shape having a second bend away from said straight longitudinal axis at a second elevated temperature greater than said first elevated temperature. The shape memory device may create voids within the bone structure with the deflectable distal segment at the first and/or second bends. Methods for positioning a shape memory device within a bone structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stabilization of a bone structure. A distal curved portion of a delivery tube is directed through an access cannula to a target site within the bone structure. The distal curved portion forms a curved path with respect to the access cannula. A cavity-forming device including an expandable member is adapted to be curved by a support structure in the expandable member. The curve may be provided by tracking the curved path formed by the delivery tube. The support structure may provide trackability and pushability to the expandable member of the cavity-forming device as it is directed into the curved path. Curable material is delivered through the delivery tube into a cavity formed by expanding the expandable member within the bone structure. The cavity is offset relative to the access cannula and/or the distal curved portion of the delivery tube.

Abstract: A cannula device for removing, including by aspirating, bodily material is disclosed. The device may include a cannula and a hub. The cannula includes an open proximal end and a deflectable distal segment, and one or a plurality of distal orifices fluidly connected to the lumen. When distally extended from an outer guide cannula, the deflectable segment assumes a curved shape, which includes temperature-dependent curvature subject to elevated temperature along a memory metal length of the cannula.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device is provided for use in soft tissue and/or in bone. It is configured to include an inner probe with a first electrode and a second electrode and an outer needle through which the inner probe extends. After the inner probe is directed therewithin to a target, the outer needle can be withdrawn to expose space between the first and second electrodes to form an RF or other energy field for tissue ablation therebetween upon actuation of an energy source. Such embodiments may include methods for tissue ablation and placement of stabilizing materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods for height restoration and stabilization of a bone structure. An expandable member is directed in a contracted state to a first target site within the bone structure. The expandable member is transitioned from a contracted state to an expanded state within the bone structure. A curable material is delivered to a second target site within the bone structure while the expandable member remains in the expanded state within the bone structure at the first target site. The expandable member is transitioned from the expanded state to the contracted state. The expandable is removed member from the bone structure. Transitioning the expandable member to the expanded state may alter the vertebral body from a fractured height to a restored height greater than the fractured height. The curable material may be delivered within the vertebral body while the first expandable member maintains the vertebral body at the restored height.

Abstract: A stylet-guided balloon vertebroplasty system, as well as methods for bone augmentation using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target an approximately centered target site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height and/or to reinforce the bone structure.

Abstract: A cannula device for removing, including by aspirating, bodily material is disclosed. The device may include a cannula and a hub. The cannula includes an open proximal end and a deflectable distal segment, and one or a plurality of distal orifices fluidly connected to the lumen. When distally extended from an outer guide cannula, the deflectable segment assumes a curved shape, which includes temperature-dependent curvature subject to elevated temperature along a memory metal length of the cannula.

Abstract: A curable material delivery cannula device and method are disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a hub. The cannula includes an open proximal end and a deflectable distal segment, and a distal orifice(s) fluidly connected to the lumen. When distally extended from the guide cannula, the deflectable segment assumes a curved shape, which may be used to create a void in the bone for receiving curable material. During use, curable material, such as bone cement, is delivered from the distal orifice(s).

Abstract: A stylet-guided balloon vertebroplasty system, as well as methods for bone augmentation using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target an approximately centered target site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height and/or to reinforce the bone structure.

Abstract: A stylet-guided balloon vertebroplasty system, as well as methods for bone augmentation using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target an approximately centered target site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height and/or to reinforce the bone structure.

Abstract: An expandable member bone augmentation system and single-access-point methods for bone augmentation using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target an approximately centered target site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height and/or to reinforce the bone structure. An expandable member such as, for example, a balloon can be used to create a plurality of voids by displacing bone material, where the voids can be filled with curable material to augment the bone.

Abstract: A stylet-guided balloon vertebroplasty system, as well as methods for bone augmentation using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target an approximately centered target site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height and/or to reinforce the bone structure.

Abstract: A stylet-guided balloon vertebroplasty system, as well as methods for bone augmentation using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target an approximately centered target site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height and/or to reinforce the bone structure.