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 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 After the inner probe is directed therewithin to a target, the outer needle can be withdrawn to expose space between the first and second electrodes to form an RF or other energy field for tissue ablation therebetween upon actuation of an energy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: A method for stabilizing fractured bone structure having a fractured height includes expanding the bone structure to a restored height greater than the fractured height by transitioning an expandable member inserted into the bone structure from a contracted state to an expanded state. A curable material is delivered into a cavity formed in the bone structure and allowed to harden while the expandable member maintains the bone structure at the restored height. The expandable member is then removed from the bone structure.

Abstract: Methods of injecting curable material within a bone structure, such as vertebroplasty, include locating a distal end of an access cannula within the bone structure. A channel creating device is inserted into a cannula lumen. A distal segment of the channel creating device is distally advanced from cannula distal end and into the bone structure. A curved channel is created in the bone structure with the distally advancing distal segment. A distal portion of a cavity creating device is then inserted into the cannula lumen, with the distal portion including an expandable body carried by an elongated body. The distal portion is distally advanced, following a path of the curved channel. The expandable body is transitioned to the expanded state to form a cavity in the bone structure. Finally, curable material is delivered to the cavity.

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, a deflectable segment forming a plurality of pre-set curves, each of which corresponds to a pre-determined temperature of the cannula, a lumen, and side orifice(s) adjacent, and proximally spaced from, the distal end and fluidly connected to the lumen. When distally extended from the guide cannula, and upon being heated to a predetermined temperature (before, during, or after extension), the deflectable segment assumes a curved shape, which may be used to create a void in the bone for receiving curable material. The distal cannula end includes a blunt tip for non-traumatic interface with bodily material. During use, curable material, such as bone cement, is delivered from the side orifice(s) in a radial direction relative to the lumen.

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 curable material delivery cannula device and method are disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a hub. The cannula includes an open proximal end, a deflectable segment forming a pre-set curve, a lumen, and side orifice(s) adjacent, and proximally spaced from, the distal end and fluidly connected to the lumen. When inserted within a guide cannula, the deflectable segment straightens. When distally extended from the guide cannula, the deflectable segment reverts to the curved shape, which may be used to create a void in the bone for receiving curable material. The distal end has a blunt tip for non-traumatic interface with bodily material. During use, curable material, such as bone cement, is delivered from the side orifice(s) in a radial direction relative to the lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for introducing material into an injection site of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a carrier. The cannula is inserted into an injection site of a patient. The carrier is connected to an injector containing a volume of material. Material may be pre-loaded into the carrier so that the material is delivered to a distal end of the carrier from the injector and the carrier is thus pre-loaded with material. A portion of the distal end of the pre-loaded carrier is inserted into the cannula and material is delivered to an injection site. The supply section can be rotatable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inner section.

Abstract: Methods for treating a spine include inserting a distal end of a cannula into a vertebral body. A distal segment of an access needle is inserted into the cannula lumen. The distal segment terminates at a distal tip and has a shape memory characteristic naturally assuming a curved shape in longitudinal extension. The cannula forces the distal section to deflect from the curved shape toward a straightened shape. The distal segment is distally advanced into bone structure of the vertebral body and naturally reverts toward the curved shape. With further distal advancement, the distal tip progresses through an end plate of the vertebral body. Finally, a structure of the spine is altered in at least one of: delivering a curable material, creating a cavity, or aspirating nucleus material.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing fractured bone structure having a fractured height includes expanding the bone structure to a restored height greater than the fractured height by transitioning an expandable member inserted into the bone structure from a contracted state to an expanded state. A curable material is delivered into a cavity formed in the bone structure and allowed to harden while the expandable member maintains the bone structure at the restored height. The expandable member is then removed from 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: 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, a deflectable segment forming a plurality of pre-set curves, each of which corresponds to a pre-determined temperature of the cannula, a lumen, and side orifice(s) adjacent, and proximally spaced from, the distal end and fluidly connected to the lumen. When distally extended from the guide cannula, and upon being heated to a predetermined temperature (before, during, or after extension), the deflectable segment assumes a curved shape, which may be used to create a void in the bone for receiving curable material. The distal cannula end includes a blunt tip for non-traumatic interface with bodily material. During use, curable material, such as bone cement, is delivered from the side orifice(s) in a radial direction relative to the lumen.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a bone structure including directing first and second expandable members in contracted state to a first location within the bone structure. The expandable members are expanded, forming first and second cavities within the bone structure. The first expandable member is then transitioned back to the contracted state while maintaining the second expandable member in the expanded state. The first expandable member is removed, and curable material delivered into the first cavity. The second expandable structure is contracted and removed. A curable material is delivered into the second cavity. A height of the bone structure is restored via expansion of the two expandable members, and is retained throughout the procedure first by the second expandable member during delivery of curable material into the first cavity, and then by the hardened material in the first cavity during removal of the second expandable member.

Abstract: Methods of injecting curable material within a bone structure, such as vertebroplasty, include locating a distal end of an access cannula within the bone structure. A channel creating device is inserted into a cannula lumen. A distal segment of the channel creating device is distally advanced from cannula distal end and into the bone structure. A curved channel is created in the bone structure with the distally advancing distal segment. A distal portion of a cavity creating device is then inserted into the cannula lumen, with the distal portion including an expandable body carried by an elongated body. The distal portion is distally advanced, following a path of the curved channel. The expandable body is transitioned to the expanded state to form a cavity in the bone structure. Finally, curable material is delivered to the cavity.

Abstract: A curable material delivery cannula device is disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a hub. The cannula includes an open proximal end, a deflectable segment forming a pre-set curve, a lumen, and side orifice(s) adjacent, and proximally spaced from, the distal end and fluidly connected to the lumen. When inserted within a guide cannula, the deflectable segment straightens. When distally extended from the guide cannula, the deflectable segment reverts to the curved shape. The distal end has a blunt tip for non-traumatic interface with bodily material. During use, curable material, such as bone cement, is delivered from the side orifice(s) in a radial direction relative to the lumen. The device may be used to create voids for receiving curable material, and may include spacers configured to control location and/or orientation of the voids.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing two components and delivering the mixture to a patient. The apparatus contains a mixing chamber for mixing a liquid component and a powder component. The liquid component and powder component are mixed within the mixing chamber by rotation of a collapsible mixing element. A high strength cartridge capable of withstanding high opposing axial loads from the mixing chamber and a threaded rod generates force to drive the curable material from the mixing chamber. A plunger connected to the rod is then advanced through the mixing chamber to force the mixture out of the mixing chamber and deliver the mixture to the patient.

Abstract: A distal end of a cannula immediately proximate a target site within bone. A portion of a cavity-forming device is extended through the cannula and distally beyond the distal end, and then operated to form a cavity at the target site. A track is defined in tissue of the target site between the distal end of the cannula and the cavity. The cavity-forming device is removed from the cannula, and replaced with a delivery tube. A distal tip of the delivery tube is directed distally beyond the distal end of the cannula, through the track and into the cavity. Finally, a material (e.g., a curable material) is delivered through the delivery tube and into the cavity. The cannula can remain stationary following initial insertion, and curable material is not directly deposited into the normally occurring “dead space”.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a bone structure including directing first and second expandable members in contracted state to a first location within the bone structure. The expandable members are expanded, forming first and second cavities within the bone structure. The first expandable member is then transitioned back to the contracted state while maintaining the second expandable member in the expanded state. The first expandable member is removed, and curable material delivered into the first cavity. The second expandable structure is contracted and removed. A curable material is delivered into the second cavity. A height of the bone structure is restored via expansion of the two expandable members, and is retained throughout the procedure first by the second expandable member during delivery of curable material into the first cavity, and then by the hardened material in the first cavity during removal of the second expandable member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for introducing material into an injection site of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a carrier. The cannula is inserted into an injection site of a patient. The carrier is connected to an injector containing a volume of material. Material may be pre-loaded into the carrier so that the material is delivered to a distal end of the carrier from the injector and the carrier is thus pre-loaded with material. A portion of the distal end of the pre-loaded carrier is inserted into the cannula and material is delivered to an injection site. The supply section can be rotatable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inner section.