Abstract: A soft tissue repair system is provided for covering or filling openings in the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The soft tissue repair system uses a single plug or a combination of a first plug and a second plug. The second plug is a flowable plug such as an adhesive material or a material that hardens to a flexible plug material. Each plug is configured to close the opening in the annulus and can be positioned within the opening, over the opening at the exterior surface or over the opening at the interior surface. The plug can also be combined with a clamping mechanism that engages the annulus to secure the plug in the opening.

Abstract: A soft tissue repair system is provided for covering or filling openings in the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The soft tissue repair system uses a single plug or a combination of a first plug and a second plug. The second plug is a flowable plug such as an adhesive material or a material that hardens to a flexible plug material. Each plug is configured to close the opening in the annulus and can be positioned within the opening, over the opening at the exterior surface or over the opening at the interior surface. The plug can also be combined with a clamping mechanism that engages the annulus to secure the plug in the opening.

Abstract: A device for dispensing biomaterial includes a handle configured to receive a syringe, the syringe including a biomaterial and a threaded plunger, and an engagement pin retained within the handle and slidable between a first position and a second position. The engagement pin is configured to engage the threaded plunger in the first position, the engagement pin is further configured to disengage from the threaded plunger in the second position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, methods and apparatus for treatment of vertebral fractures that include a containment assembly for cement containment and/or a balloon assembly for maintaining vertebral height. A containment assembly comprising a containment jacket adapted to be deployed inside bone; and a dividing wall that separates the interior of the containment jacket into a proximal region and a distal region, the dividing wall having an opening for providing access to the distal region from the proximal region.

Abstract: A device for dispensing biomaterial includes a handle configured to receive a syringe, the syringe including a biomaterial and a threaded plunger, and an engagement pin retained within the handle and slidable between a first position and a second position. The engagement pin is configured to engage the threaded plunger in the first position, the engagement pin is further configured to disengage from the threaded plunger in the second position.

Abstract: A spinal distractor and stabilizer has resilient, conformable bone contacting sections which are separated by an expandable chamber that extends from one of the sections, and which forms a ratchet with the section, ensuring that once expanded by being filled with a substance, cannot contract absent intervention by a medical practitioner. The stabilizer may be filled with a material which solidifies, after which some or all of the device may biodegrade. The device may also be provided in separable portions to facilitate implantation. The conformable sections distribute the distraction and stabilizing force evenly over the bone surface, reducing the incidence of disruption to the integrity of the bone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, methods and apparatus for treatment of vertebral fractures that include a containment assembly for cement containment and/or a balloon assembly for maintaining vertebral height. Methods for treating a bone comprising: creating a cavity in the bone; inserting a containment jacket into the cavity; inserting a balloon into the containment jacket; inflating the balloon; and introducing a filler material into the containment jacket with isolation of the balloon from the filler material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, methods and apparatus for treatment of vertebral fractures that include a containment assembly for cement containment and/or a balloon assembly for maintaining vertebral height. A containment assembly comprising a containment jacket adapted to be deployed inside bone; and a dividing wall that separates the interior of the containment jacket into a proximal region and a distal region, the dividing wall having an opening for providing access to the distal region from the proximal region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, methods and apparatus for treatment of vertebral fractures that include a containment assembly for cement containment and/or a balloon assembly for maintaining vertebral height. A containment assembly comprising a containment jacket adapted to be deployed inside bone; and a dividing wall that separates the interior of the containment jacket into a proximal region and a distal region, the dividing wall having an opening for providing access to the distal region from the proximal region.

Abstract: A soft tissue repair system is provided for covering or filling openings in the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The soft tissue repair system uses a single plug or a combination of a first plug and a second plug. The second plug is a flowable plug such as an adhesive material or a material that hardens to a flexible plug material. Each plug is configured to close the opening in the annulus and can be positioned within the opening, over the opening at the exterior surface or over the opening at the interior surface. The plug can also be combined with a clamping mechanism that engages the annulus to secure the plug in the opening.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, methods and apparatus for treatment of vertebral fractures that include a containment assembly for cement containment and/or a balloon assembly for maintaining vertebral height. A containment assembly comprising a containment jacket adapted to be deployed inside bone; and a dividing wall that separates the interior of the containment jacket into a proximal region and a distal region, the dividing wall having an opening for providing access to the distal region from the proximal region.

Abstract: A device for dispensing biomaterial includes a handle configured to receive a syringe, the syringe including a biomaterial and a threaded plunger, and an engagement pin retained within the handle and slidable between a first position and a second position. The engagement pin is configured to engage the threaded plunger in the first position, the engagement pin is further configured to disengage from the threaded plunger in the second position.

Abstract: A device for dispensing biomaterial includes a handle configured to receive a syringe, the syringe including a biomaterial and a threaded plunger, and an engagement pin retained within the handle and slidable between a first position and a second position. The engagement pin is configured to engage the threaded plunger in the first position, the engagement pin is further configured to disengage from the threaded plunger in the second position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, methods and apparatus for treatment of vertebral fractures that include a containment assembly for cement containment and/or a balloon assembly for maintaining vertebral height. A containment assembly comprising a containment jacket adapted to be deployed inside bone; and a dividing wall that separates the interior of the containment jacket into a proximal region and a distal region, the dividing wall having an opening for providing access to the distal region from the proximal region.

Abstract: A spinal distractor and stabilizer has resilient, conformable bone contacting sections which are separated by an expandable chamber that extends from one of the sections, and which forms a ratchet with the section, ensuring that once expanded by being filled with a substance, cannot contract absent intervention by a medical practitioner. The stabilizer may be filled with a material which solidifies, after which some or all of the device may biodegrade. The device may also be provided in separable portions to facilitate implantation. The conformable sections distribute the distraction and stabilizing force evenly over the bone surface, reducing the incidence of disruption to the integrity of the bone.

Abstract: A spinal distractor and stabilizer has resilient, conformable bone contacting sections which are separated by an expandable chamber that extends from one of the sections, and which forms a ratchet with the section, ensuring that once expanded by being filled with a substance, cannot contract absent intervention by a medical practitioner. The stabilizer may be filled with a material which solidifies, after which some or all of the device may biodegrade. The device may also be provided in separable portions to facilitate implantation. The conformable sections distribute the distraction and stabilizing force evenly over the bone surface, reducing the incidence of disruption to the integrity of the bone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, a device for delivering a bone filler material comprising: a housing having a throughbore; a plunger comprising a shaft having external threads, wherein the plunger is configured for advancement through the throughbore of the housing; and a threaded receiving member configured to releasably engage the plunger. Methods for removing an instrument from a vertebral body comprising applying ultrasonic energy to the instrument, wherein a distal end of the instrument is disposed in a cavity in the vertebral body, wherein the cavity contains a filler material; and removing the instrument from the vertebral body.

Abstract: A soft tissue repair system is provided for covering or filling openings in the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The soft tissue repair system uses a single plug or a combination of a first plug and a second plug. The second plug is a flowable plug such as an adhesive material or a material that hardens to a flexible plug material. Each plug is configured to close the opening in the annulus and can be positioned within the opening, over the opening at the exterior surface or over the opening at the interior surface. The plug can also be combined with a clamping mechanism that engages the annulus to secure the plug in the opening.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, methods and apparatus for treatment of vertebral fractures that include an inflation device for cavity creation and an inflation and containment device for maintaining vertebral height and cement containment. Methods for treating a bone comprising: creating a cavity in the bone; inflating a containment jacket in the cavity; inflating a balloon within the containment jacket so that the balloon occupies a first portion of the containment jacket; introducing a first filler material into a second portion of the containment jacket, wherein the second portion of the containment jacket is not occupied by the balloon; removing the balloon from the containment jacket; and introducing a second filler material into the first portion of the containment jacket.

Abstract: The invention encompasses devices and methods for treating one or more damaged, diseased, or traumatized intervertebral discs to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. Specifically, the invention encompasses intervertebral nucleus and annulus implants that are resistant to migration in and/or expulsion from an intervertebral disc space. The invention further encompasses kits including the implantable devices of the invention and associated delivery tools to treat annular and nuclear tissue.