Abstract: A system includes components that allow the user to select how to perform disc diagnosis with the components of the system. The system components include a FAD catheter, a guidewire and stylet, in which both the guidewire and stylet are compatible with the catheter. The user may select to insert the catheter into the disc with a stylet included in the system. The user may also select to insert the catheter into the disc with the guidewire included in the system, for example after the guidewire has been placed with a rigid needle.

Abstract: A catheter with a balloon anchor may be sized to fit through an inner needle and introduced into the patient through the needle. The inner needle may comprise an atraumatic needle with a side port and/or a blunt tip. The catheter may include a radiopaque coil disposed over the distal portion of the catheter body to assist with catheter placement when viewed with fluoroscopy and/or x-ray. The distal portion of the catheter can be very flexible. A balloon inflation tube may terminate proximal to a proximal end of the expandable balloon anchor such that the distal portion of catheter can be flexible. This termination of the inflation tube may also position the inflation tube away from the annulus and nerve roots, so as to avoid irritation of the annulus and rubbing of the nerve roots that may potentially obscure FAD test results.

Abstract: A catheter with a balloon anchor may be sized to fit through an inner needle and introduced into the patient through the needle. The inner needle may comprise an atraumatic needle with a side port and/or a blunt tip. The catheter may include a radiopaque coil disposed over the distal portion of the catheter body to assist with catheter placement when viewed with fluoroscopy and/or x-ray. The distal portion of the catheter can be very flexible. A balloon inflation tube may terminate proximal to a proximal end of the expandable balloon anchor such that the distal portion of catheter can be flexible. This termination of the inflation tube may also position the inflation tube away from the annulus and nerve roots, so as to avoid irritation of the annulus and rubbing of the nerve roots that may potentially obscure FAD test results.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide a tool comprising a trocar and a cannula in which the trocar engages the cannula to form a composite instrument. The trocar includes a handle and a lumen through the trocar and the trocar handle that accommodates passage of a functional instrument, such as a stylet, guidewire, or spinal needle assembly. The cannula includes a handle and is sized and configured to accommodate passage of the trocar. The trocar handle mates with the cannula handle to form a composite handle when the trocar is engaged with the cannula.

Abstract: A guide structure for facilitating the introduction of a guidewire into a catheter comprises a body having a guide channel therethrough. An attachment end of the guide structure is adapted to receive and align a distal end of the catheter within the guide channel. A receiving end of the guide structure is adapted to receive and align a guidewire with a guidewire lumen within the catheter, when the catheter is held within the guide structure.

Abstract: A system and method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes in accordance with the present invention can supplement primary fusion devices and methods by immobilizing spinous processes while bone from adjacent vertebral bodies grows together. The system requires less extensive surgical procedures than other common supplemental devices, and preferably does not require bone or ligament removal. One such system comprises three spacers positioned between spinous processes and adjustably connected with a plate positioned on either side of the spinous processes. Each plate includes grips, with each grip positioned adjacent to the spinous process, forming a clamp with a grip connected with the opposing plate.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems facilitate diagnosis, and in some cases treatment, of back pain originating in intervertebral discs. Methods generally involve introducing one or more substances into one or more discs using a catheter device. In one embodiment, a patient assumes a position that causes back pain, and a substance such as an anesthetic or analgesic is introduced into the disc to determine whether the substance relieves the pain. Injections into multiple discs may optionally be performed, to help pinpoint a disc as a source of the patient's pain. In some embodiments, the catheter device is left in place, and possibly coupled with another implantable device, to provide treatment of one or more discs. A catheter device includes at least one anchoring member for maintaining a distal portion of the catheter within a disc.

Abstract: A system and method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes in accordance with the present invention can supplement primary fusion devices and methods by immobilizing spinous processes while bone from adjacent vertebral bodies grows together. The system requires less extensive surgical procedures than other common supplemental devices, and preferably does not require bone or ligament removal. One such system comprises three spacers positioned between spinous processes and adjustably connected with a plate positioned on either side of the spinous processes. Each plate includes grips, with each grip positioned adjacent to the spinous process, forming a clamp with a grip connected with the opposing plate.

Abstract: A system and method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes in accordance with the present invention can supplement primary fusion devices and methods by immobilizing spinous processes while bone from adjacent vertebral bodies grows together. The system requires less extensive surgical procedures than other common supplemental devices, and preferably does not require bone or ligament removal. One such system comprises three spacers positioned between spinous processes and adjustably connected with a plate positioned on either side of the spinous processes. Each plate includes grips, with each grip positioned adjacent to the spinous process, forming a clamp with a grip connected with the opposing plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cement, which comprises in its main phase of microcrystalline magnesium ammonium phosphate and nanoapatite after hardening and thus at the same time has considerable strength. The material is biologically degradable and is suitable for application in tooth cements, as bone replacement, as bone filler, as bone cement or as bone adhesive.

Abstract: Calcium-strontium-hydroxyphosphate (strontium-apatite-) cement preparations are described, comprising a powder mixture, which contains molar quantities of the components calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr) and phosphate (P) in the mixture in the ranges 1.00<Ca/P?1.50 and 0<Sr/P<1.5, together with an alkali salt or an ammonium salt of phosphoric acid, and with water and/or an aqueous solution. The powder mixture particularly contains, as the Ca-component, Ca3(PO4)2 (TCP), and as the Sr-component SrHPO4 and/or Sr3(PO4)2 and optionally additional SrCO3. As the aqueous mixing solution for the formation of the strontium-apatite cement, an aqueous solution of an alkali salt or an ammonium salt of the phosphoric acid is suitable.

Abstract: A plurality of bone filler devices receive bone filling material from an apparatus that receives components of the bone filling material in an unmixed condition, mixes the components of the bone filling material, and dispenses the mixed components of the bone filling material through a fitting into each of the plurality of bone filler devices, all while a base supports the apparatus in an upright condition.

Abstract: Calcium-strontium-hydroxyphosphate (strontium-apatite-) cement preparations are described, comprising a powder mixture, which contains molar quantities of the components calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr) and phosphate (P) in the mixture in the ranges 1.00<Ca/P?1.50 and 0<Sr/P<1.5, together with an alkali salt or an ammonium salt of phosphoric acid, and with water and/or an aqueous solution. The powder mixture particularly contains, as the Ca-component, Ca3(PO4)2 (TCP), and as the Sr-component SrHPO4 and/or Sr3(PO4)2 and optionally additional SrCO3. As the aqueous mixing solution for the formation of the strontium-apatite cement, an aqueous solution of an alkali salt or an ammonium salt of the phosphoric acid is suitable.

Abstract: A balloon for use in compressing cancellous bone and marrow (also known as medullary bone or trabecular bone). The balloon comprises an inflatable balloon body for insertion into said bone. The body has a shape and size to compress at least a portion of the cancellous bone to form a cavity in the cancellous bone and/or to restore the original position of the outer cortical bone, if fractured or collapsed. The balloon desirably incorporates restraints which inhibit the balloon from applying excessive pressure to various regions of the cortical bone. The wall or walls of the balloon are such that proper inflation of the balloon body is achieved to provide for optimum compression of the bone marrow. The balloon can be inserted quickly into a bone. The balloon can be made to have a suction catheter. The balloon can be used to form and/or enlarge a cavity or passage in a bone, especially in, but not limited to, vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A filler instrument comprises a first chamber section having a first cross sectional area and a second chamber section having a second cross sectional area less than the first cross sectional area. The second chamber section communicates with the first chamber section. The first chamber section includes an inlet for receiving a material into the filler instrument, and the second chamber section includes an outlet for discharging the material from the filler instrument. A first plunger is sized to pass through the first chamber section and not the second chamber section. A second plunger is sized to pass through an interior bore of the first plunger and into the second chamber section. In use, the first plunger displaces material residing in the first chamber section through the second chamber section toward the outlet, and the second plunger displaces material residing in the second chamber section through the outlet.

Abstract: Devices and methods compress cancellous bone. In one arrangement, the devices and methods make use of an expandable body that includes an internal restraint coupled to the body. The internal restraint directs expansion of the body. In one arrangement, a method for treating bone inserts the device having the internal restraint inside bone and causes directed expansion of the body in cancellous bone. Cancellous bone is compacted by the directed expansion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cement, which comprises in its main phase of microcrystalline magnesium ammonium phosphate and nanoapatite after hardening and thus at the same time has considerable strength. The material is biologically degradable and is suitable for application in tooth cements, as bone replacement, as bone filler, as bone cement or as bone adhesive.

Abstract: Systems and methods insert an expandable body in a collapsed configuration into a space defined between cortical bone surfaces. The space can, e.g., comprise a fracture or an intervertebral space. The systems and methods cause expansion of the expandable body within the space, thereby pushing apart the cortical bone surfaces to, e.g., reduce the fracture or push apart adjacent vertebral bodies as part of a therapeutic procedure.

Abstract: A method mixes and transfers a bone filling material. The method makes use of a receptacle for receiving components in an unmixed condition. A mixing element can be inserted into the receptacle to mix the components. An actuator having a drive member and a driven member is removably coupled to the mixing element.

Abstract: Apparatus for deploying an expandable structure in interior body regions provide an outer catheter tube, an inner catheter tube sized and configured to be received within the outer catheter tube, and an expandable structure having a distal end and a proximal end. The expandable structure also has a first end region adjacent the distal end and a second end region adjacent the proximal end. The distal end is bonded to the inner catheter tube to form a first bonded region and the proximal end is bonded to the outer catheter tube to form a second bonded region. The first end region is inverted to overlie the first bonded region and the second end region is inverted to overlie the second bonded region.