Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate body and an expandable member coupled to the elongate body. In one embodiment, the expandable member has a collapsed configuration, an unfolded configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable member is configured to be percutaneously inserted into an interior portion of a bone structure when the expandable member is in the collapsed configuration. The expandable member is configured to exert a pressure in a vertical direction on a first portion of the bone structure in contact with the expandable member greater than a pressure exerted in a lateral direction on a second portion of the bone structure in contact with the expandable member when the expandable member transitions from the unfolded configuration to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate body and an expandable member coupled to the elongate body. In one embodiment, the expandable member has a collapsed configuration, an unfolded configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable member is configured to be percutaneously inserted into an interior portion of a bone structure when the expandable member is in the collapsed configuration. The expandable member is configured to exert a pressure in a vertical direction on a first portion of the bone structure in contact with the expandable member greater than a pressure exerted in a lateral direction on a second portion of the bone structure in contact with the expandable member when the expandable member transitions from the unfolded configuration to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a projection having a sharpened end portion configured to be inserted through an annulus of an intervertebral disc to define a distracted volume in the annulus. An expandable member is coupled to the projection and defines a longitudinal axis. The expandable member is configured to be expanded from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis when at least a portion of the expandable member is disposed within the distracted volume of the annulus of the intervertebral disc. When the expandable member expands, it defines an expanded volume and defines a cross-sectional perimeter while in the expanded configuration. A cannula is configured to be at least partially inserted into the expanded volume. The cannula defines a cross-sectional outer perimeter having no portion extending outside of the cross-sectional perimeter of the expandable member while in its expanded configuration.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an elongate body and an expandable member coupled to the elongate body. The expandable member is configured to be disposed within an interior of a vertebral body having a first portion that includes cancellous bone and having a second portion that includes sclerotic bone distinct from an endplate of the vertebral body. The expandable member is configured to exert a first pressure on the first portion of the vertebral body and a second pressure different from the first pressure on the second portion of the vertebral body. The second pressure is sufficient to move the second portion of the vertebral body in a direction away from the expandable member when the expandable member is expanded within the interior of the vertebral body.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate body and an expandable member coupled to the elongate body. In one embodiment, the expandable member has a collapsed configuration, an unfolded configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable member is configured to be percutaneously inserted into an interior portion of a bone structure when the expandable member is in the collapsed configuration. The expandable member is configured to exert a pressure in a vertical direction on a first portion of the bone structure in contact with the expandable member greater than a pressure exerted in a lateral direction on a second portion of the bone structure in contact with the expandable member when the expandable member transitions from the unfolded configuration to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a probe configured to be percutaneously deployed within an interior portion of a bone structure. At least a portion of the probe is configured to contact a portion of the interior portion of the bone structure when the probe is actuated within the interior portion of the bone structure. The apparatus also includes a pressure indicator that is configured to provide pressure data associated with a pressure externally exerted on the probe when the probe is actuated within the interior portion of the bone structure. In some embodiments, the probe includes an expandable member. In some embodiments, the probe includes an expandable low-compliance balloon.

Abstract: A method includes heating a first portion of a tubular member to a first temperature greater than a temperature of a second portion of the tubular member. The first portion of the tubular member is different from the second portion of the tubular member. The tubular member is stretched after the heating such that a length of the first portion of the tubular member is associated with a width of an anulus of an intervertebral disc. After the heating and the stretching, the tubular member is disposed within a mold cavity at least until the first portion of the tubular member has a second temperature less than the first temperature and such that an outer diameter of the tubular member in a collapsed configuration is substantially constant along a longitudinal length of the tubular member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a cavity in an interior body region are described. In one described method, a spring disposed between a first plate and a second plate is compressed. The compressed spring is inserted into a cannula comprising a cannula distal end. The spring is decompressed, at least in part, once at least one of the first and second plates is inserted beyond the cannula distal end to a treatment area adjacent a tissue. The decompression of the spring increases a distance between the first and second plates.