Abstract: A method of using a multichannel cannula to perform kyphoplasty includes inserting a stabilizing wire into a vertebra damaged by a compression fracture and inserting, over the stabilizing wire, a cannula. The cannula includes a first channel having open proximal and distal ends, and is configured to receive the stabilizing wire, and a second channel having an inlet portal and an exit portal that are in fluid communication. The cannula further includes an expandable portion configured to expand away from the cannula from an outer wall of the second channel. The method also includes inflating the expandable portion to create a void in the bone and to restore the height of the vertebra, and then deflating the expandable portion. When the void has been created, bone cement is delivered through the second channel into the void via the exit portal to at least partially fill the void.

Abstract: A bone screw includes a shaft, a cannulated portion formed in the shaft, and a fenestration in the shaft connecting the cannulated portion to an exterior of the bone screw. A wall between the cannulated portion and the exterior of the bone screw includes a first wall portion having a different thickness than a second wall portion.

Abstract: A bone fixation system includes a fixation device configured to be positioned at a target area of bone comprising two ends connected by a shaft and further comprising a bore formed through the shaft configured to receive a fixation screw. The system further includes a drill bit sized and configured to pass through the bore to prepare the surrounding bone to receive a second fixation device. At least a distal portion of the drill bit is configured to pass through the bore. The fixation device is made of a first material and wherein the distal portion of the drill bit comprises at least an outer portion made of a second material. The second material of the drill bit has a hardness that is less than the hardness of the first material of the fixation device.

Abstract: A method of preparing a bone to receive a fixation screw through a fixation device includes providing a drill bit sized and configured to pass through a bore in a fixation device positioned in the bone and drilling a passage into the bone and through the bore. At least a distal portion of the drill bit passes through the bore in the drilling step. At least an outer portion of the distal portion of the drill bit has a hardness that is less than a hardness of the fixation nail.

Abstract: A system for treating a bone includes an insert for a bone screw or a fixation nail. The insert includes a shaft that extends between proximal and distal ends of the insert and a cap. The shaft includes an opening in the proximal end and a cannulation extending from the opening through at least a portion of the shaft. The shaft further includes a fenestration disposed along the cannulation such that the cannulation is configured to provide a pathway for a substance between the opening and the fenestration. The cap is fastened to and seals the opening in the proximal end of the shaft and adjoins the cannulation. The cap is configured to provide a needle access through the cap to the cannulation following implantation of the system within the bone, and is further configured to self-seal after the needle is removed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a bone to receive a fixation screw through a fixation device includes providing a drill bit sized and configured to pass through a bore in a fixation device positioned in the bone and drilling a passage into the bone and through the bore. At least a distal portion of the drill bit passes through the bore in the drilling step. At least an outer portion of the distal portion of the drill bit has a hardness that is less than a hardness of the fixation nail.

Abstract: A method of preparing a bone to receive a fixation screw through a fixation device includes providing a drill bit sized and configured to pass through a bore in a fixation device positioned in the bone and drilling a passage into the bone and through the bore. At least a distal portion of the drill bit passes through the bore in the drilling step. At least an outer portion of the distal portion of the drill bit has a hardness that is less than a hardness of the fixation nail.

Abstract: A method of mixing and delivering a substance to a bone includes providing a compressible tube having a reservoir and using a mixing apparatus to mix a particulate solid and a mixing liquid to form the substance within the reservoir of the compressible tube. The method further includes using a compressing device to move the substance through an exit port in the compressible tube for delivery to the bone. The compressing device may be positioned on the compressible tube and the method may further include moving the compressing device along the compressible tube to empty the substance from the compressible tube. The substance may be a bone void filler, and the substance may be delivered from the exit port in the tube through a delivery apparatus, such as a cannula, to a target portion of the anatomy.

Abstract: A method of preparing a bone to receive a fixation screw through a fixation device includes providing a drill bit sized and configured to pass through a bore in a fixation device positioned in the bone and drilling a passage into the bone and through the bore. At least a distal portion of the drill bit passes through the bore in the drilling step. At least an outer portion of the distal portion of the drill bit has a hardness that is less than a hardness of the fixation nail.

Abstract: A system for delivering fluid to a space between two vertebrae is provided. The system includes a tool and an insert configured to be implanted in the space between two vertebrae. The tool includes a proximal end, a distal end and a structure at the distal end configured to be coupled to the insert. The tool further includes a first opening located near the proximal end of the tool, a second opening located near the distal end of the tool, and a passage extending between the first opening and the second opening. The first opening, the passage and the second opening provide a fluid delivery path from the proximal end to the exterior of the tool near the distal end. The second opening is positioned relative to the structure such that fluid is permitted to be delivered from the tool directly into the space between the two vertebrae.

Abstract: A system for communicating fluid to or from a bone includes an insert. The insert includes a shaft extending between proximal and distal ends of the insert, a fenestration, and an expandable portion coupled to the shaft. The shaft is cannulated along at least a portion of the shaft between the proximal and distal ends. The fenestration is disposed along the cannulated portion of the shaft. Outer surfaces of the expandable portion are configured to expand laterally outward to increase the cross-sectional area of the expandable portion orthogonal to the shaft.

Abstract: Bone screws and inserts disposed therein or thereon are provided for the delivery of medicants to bone. The bone screws provide a method to strengthen or repair damaged bones, or to promote bony fusion, and in conjunction with the inserts, provide a method of delivering a continuous or regulated amount of medicant to a desired location within the bone such as a fracture interface. In one embodiment, the inserts are customized in size, shape, or configuration after the bone screw has been inserted into the patient.

Abstract: A method for delivering a substance to bone includes placing a stabilizing wire in a bone, creating a hole in the bone around the stabilizing wire, and providing a multichannel cannula, comprising. The multichannel cannula includes a first channel having an open proximal end and an open distal end, the first channel being configured to receive the stabilizing wire, and a second channel having an inlet portal and an exit portal that are in fluid communication. The method further includes inserting the multichannel cannula into the hole in the bone such that the first channel receives the stabilizing wire, and delivering the substance into the bone by introducing the substance into the inlet portal of the second channel such that the substance exits the second channel through the exit portal.

Abstract: A method for the long-term delivery of fluids to a bone of a patient includes providing a cannulated bone screw and an insert configured to be coupled to the bone screw. The method further includes creating an aperture in the skin of a patient, inserting the bone screw into a bone of the patient through the aperture, and coupling the insert to the bone screw. The method further includes the steps of providing a fluid source, coupling the fluid source to the insert, and delivering a fluid from the fluid source to the insert.

Abstract: An interbody cage system includes an interbody cage having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior. The interbody cage system also includes an insertion tool. A portion of the insertion tool extends into the proximal end and the interior.

Abstract: A disc prosthesis is provided. The disc prosthesis includes a concave surface attached to a first base and a convex surface attached to a second base. The concave surface and the convex surface together form a rotating joint, and at least one of the concave and convex surfaces is attached to its base through at least one flexible support capable of flexing to provide shock absorption when the artificial disc prosthesis is disposed between two vertebra.

Abstract: A device for implantation within a bone is provided. The device includes a first end, a second end, and a shaft connecting the first and second ends. The shaft defines a cannulation extending along at least a portion of the length of the shaft. The device includes a seal coupled to the shaft, and the seal includes an inner surface facing the cannulation of the shaft. The seal is configured to provide access to the cannulation following implantation of the device within a bone, and the seal is configured to self-seal after access is provided to the cannulation.

Abstract: A method of treating discogenic back pain in a patient includes the steps of acquiring an image of at least a portion of the patient's spine, locating the spinal disc causing the back pain, and identifying a treatment volume encompassing at least a portion of the spinal disc. The method further includes prescribing a radiation dose to be delivered to the treatment volume, providing a radiation therapy machine, positioning the patient in the radiation therapy machine, programming the radiation therapy machine to deliver the radiation dose to the treatment volume, and delivering the radiation dose to the treatment volume.

Abstract: A vertebral prosthesis and spinal fixation system includes a vertebral prosthesis having a height adjustable shaft and an anchoring mechanism coupled to the shaft. The system further includes a spinal fixation device and a number of bone screws. The bone screws attach the fixation device to the vertebral prosthesis via the anchoring mechanism.