Abstract: Devices and methods treat bone after high velocity and/or trauma fracture, using various devices, including cavity-forming devices.

Abstract: An expandable device includes an expanded configuration and an unexpanded configuration. The expandable device is sized and configured for introduction into the cancellous bone volume of the vertebral body through the percutaneous access path while in the unexpanded condition. The expandable device is also sized and configured for expansion while disposed within the cancellous bone volume from the unexpanded configuration toward the expanded configuration, to create a cavity. The expandable device includes material sized and configured for controlling the expansion so that the expandable device expands more in an inferior-to-superior direction than in a lateral direction, so that the cavity that is created occupies less than the cancellous bone volume.

Abstract: A vertebral body is selected for treatment. The vertebral body has a cortical wall enclosing a cancellous bone volume. The vertebral body has at least one cortical plate that is depressed due to fracture. At least one maximum dimension for the cancellous bone volume is ascertained. An expandable device is provided having an expanded configuration and an unexpanded configuration. The expandable device has a predefined dimension when substantially expanded that is less than the maximum dimension. The expandable device is introduced into the vertebral body through a percutaneous access path while in the unexpanded condition. The expandable device is expanded while disposed within the cancellous bone volume from the unexpanded configuration toward the expanded configuration to move the fractured cortical plate toward a desired anatomic position.

Abstract: Introduction of a bone filler material into at least a portion of the cancellous bone volume pressurizes the bone filler material and compresses the cancellous bone volume within the bone structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods insert an expandable body in a collapsed configuration into a space defined between adjacent vertebral bodies. The systems and methods cause expansion of the expandable body within the space, thereby pushing apart adjacent vertebral bodies as part of a therapeutic procedure.

Abstract: A posterior percutaneous access path is established into a vertebral body having a cortical wall enclosing a cancellous bone volume. An implant is placed in the cancellous bone volume through the posterior percutaneous access path.

Abstract: A vertebral body is selected having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone. A tool is manipulated to create a cavity in cancellous bone. A bone filling material is conveyed into the cavity. At least one additional cavity is created in cancellous bone.

Abstract: An expandable structure made from an elastomer material is preformed to a desired geometry by exposure to heat and pressure. The structure undergoes controlled expansion and further distention in cancellous bone, with controlled deformation and without stress failure.

Abstract: An expandable structure carried at the end of a catheter tube assembly can be contracted and/or wrapped to present a reduced profile during deployment and/or removal from a targeted tissue site.

Abstract: A posterior percutaneous path is established into a bone having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by a cancellous bone. An expandable structure is introduced into the cancellous bone by deployment of a tool through the posterior percutaneous path into the cancellous bone. The expandable structure is expanded by introducing a filler material into the structure within the cancellous bone. The tool is withdrawn through the posterior percutaneous access path, leaving the structure and filler material inside the cancellous bone.

Abstract: An elongated shaft is sized and configured to establish an access path to bone having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone. The elongated shaft includes a distal end portion having a side opening. A first tool is sized and configured to be carried by the shaft and includes a region that is capable of being controllably advanced by a user through the side opening to project outside the distal end portion and contact cancellous bone. Contact between the region and cancellous bone can modify cancellous bone for introduction of bone filling material, e.g., by creating at least one flow path for the bone filling material.

Abstract: An expandable device is introduced into a cancellous bone volume of a vertebral body through a percutaneous access path. The expandable device carries a therapeutic substance. The expandable device is expanded while disposed within the cancellous bone volume to incorporate the therapeutic substance in the cancellous bone volume.

Abstract: A structure is prepared from a vertebral body having a cortical wall enclosing a cancellous bone volume. The structure comprises a cavity formed within the cancellous bone volume by expansion of an expandable device, and a volume of bone filling material occupying the cavity.

Abstract: A vertebral body is selected for treatment. The vertebral body has a cortical wall enclosing a cancellous bone volume. The vertebral body has at least one cortical plate that is depressed due to fracture. At least one maximum dimension for the cancellous bone volume is ascertained. An expandable device is provided having an expanded configuration and an unexpanded configuration. The expandable device has a predefined dimension when substantially expanded that is less than the maximum dimension. The expandable device is introduced into the vertebral body through a percutaneous access path while in the unexpanded condition. The expandable device is expanded while disposed within the cancellous bone volume from the unexpanded configuration toward the expanded configuration to create a cavity that occupies less than the cancellous bone volume.

Abstract: An expandable device is introduced into a cancellous bone volume of a vertebral body through a percutaneous access path. The expandable device is expanded while disposed within the cancellous bone volume. An expansion barrier placed in association with the expandable device directs expansion of the expandable device in a desired direction to create a cavity in the cancellous bone volume.

Abstract: An inelastic expandable device has an expanded configuration and an unexpanded configuration. The inelastic expandable device is sized and configured for introduction into a cancellous bone volume of a vertebral body through a percutaneous access path while in the unexpanded condition and for expansion while disposed within the cancellous bone volume from the unexpanded configuration toward the expanded configuration. The inelastic expandable device is sized and configured for controlling the expansion so that the expandable device expands more in an inferior-to-superior direction than in a lateral direction.

Abstract: An expandable device is introduced into a cancellous bone volume of a vertebral body through a percutaneous access path. The expandable device is expanded while disposed within the cancellous bone volume to create a cavity. A filling material including a biomaterial is placed within the cavity.

Abstract: A vertebral body is selected for treatment. The vertebral body has a cortical wall enclosing a cancellous bone volume. At least one maximum dimension for the cancellous bone volume is ascertained, and an expandable device is provided that has a predefined dimension when substantially expanded that is less than the maximum dimension. The expandable device is introduced into the vertebral body through a percutaneous access path while in an unexpanded condition. The expandable device is expanded while disposed within the cancellous bone volume from the unexpanded configuration toward the expanded configuration. An expansion barrier is provided in association with the expandable device that directs expansion of the expandable device in a desired direction to create a cavity in the cancellous bone volume.

Abstract: Methods and kits for performing minimally invasive medical procedures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes injecting an enzyme that is less immunogenic than chymopapain into an interior portion of an intervertebral disc. The enzyme can be mixed with a buffer prior to, during or after the injecting. The enzyme is configured to dissolve tissue within the interior portion of the intervertebral disc. Tissue that is dissolved by the enzyme can be removed from the interior portion of the intervertebral disc after the injecting. In some embodiments, the enzyme is a serine protease having an ability to sensitize that is less than chymopapain's ability to sensitize.

Abstract: An expandable structure carried at the end of a catheter tube assembly can be contracted and/or wrapped to present a reduced profile during deployment and/or removal from a targeted tissue site.