Abstract: Systems and methods provide greater control over the placement of cement and other flowable liquids into bone.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device for excising tissue including an outer hollow member having a lumen communicating with a distal opening. The device also includes an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and a distal end, the elongate member being longitudinally movable within the outer hollow member lumen such that the distal end of the elongate member can be moved from a first configuration distal to the outer hollow member distal opening and a second configuration more proximal to the outer hollow member distal opening. Further, the device includes at least one grasping member hingedly disposed about a distal portion of the elongate member along a generally longitudinal axis, wherein movement of the elongate member from the first configuration to the second configuration can cause displacement of the at least one grasping member about the generally longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The disclosure describes devices for separating a first tissue from a second tissue at a surgical site, comprising, a hollow body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end further comprises an upper separation member extendable laterally from hollow body at a first angle; an inner member slidably disposed within the hollow body, wherein the distal end of the inner member has a lower separation member extendable laterally from inner member at a second angle, wherein the upper separation member and the lower separation member have a first configuration and a second configuration into a tissue in the working zone on the first lateral side of the median plane. Additionally, methods for using the device and kits containing the device are disclosed.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed that describes devices, kits and methods for providing percutaneous access to a surgical site. Suitable devices comprise a hollow body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end comprises one or more apertures; a first pivot member disposed within the hollow body; and a tissue excision member mounted in rotatable communication with the pivot member, wherein at least a portion of the tissue excision member is exposed through the one or more side apertures, and wherein the tissue excision member moves in a longitudinal direction around the pivot member in relation to the hollow body.

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 generally closed distal end portion and a side opening spaced from the closed distal end. A first tool is sized and configured to be selectively inserted into the shaft and selectively removed from the shaft. The tool includes a region that, when the first tool is inserted into the shaft, is capable of being aligned with and advanced through the side opening to project outside the side opening and contact cancellous bone. A second tool is sized and configured, upon removal of the first tool from the shaft, to introduce into the shaft a bone filling material for discharge through the side opening into the cancellous bone contacted by the first tool.

Abstract: A kit contains a receptacle for receiving components of a bone filling material in an unmixed condition. The kit also contains a base sized and configured to support the receptacle an upright condition during use and also being sized and configured for resisting tipping of the receptacle during use. The kits contains a mixing element sized and configured for insertion into the receptacle while the base supports the receptacle in the upright condition, to mix the components of the bone filling material within the receptacle. The mixing element is also sized for withdrawal from the receptacle after mixing of the components. The kits contains a plunger element sized and configured for insertion, after withdrawal of the mixing element means, into the receptacle for advancement through the receptacle, to dispense the mixed components of the bone filling material from the receptacle while the base supports the receptacle in the upright condition. The bone filling material can be dispensed, e.g.

Abstract: A filler instrument comprises a first chamber section having a first cross sectional area and a second chamber section having a second cross sectional area less than the first cross sectional area. The second chamber section communicates with the first chamber section. The first chamber section includes an inlet for receiving a material into the filler instrument, and the second chamber section includes an outlet for discharging the material from the filler instrument. A first plunger is sized to pass through the first chamber section and not the second chamber section. A second plunger is sized to pass through an interior bore of the first plunger and into the second chamber section. In use, the first plunger displaces material residing in the first chamber section through the second chamber section toward the outlet, and the second plunger displaces material residing in the second chamber section through the outlet.

Abstract: A device is introduced into the vertebral body through a percutaneous access path. The device is manipulated to modify the cancellous bone volume for introduction of bone filling material. Bone filling material is introduced into the cancellous bone volume modified by the device along the percutaneous path. Discharge of the bone filling material is directed into the cancellous bone volume through an opening that is oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the access path.

Abstract: A plurality of bone filler devices receive bone filling material from an apparatus that receives components of the bone filling material in an unmixed condition, mixes the components of the bone filling material, and dispenses the mixed components of the bone filling material through a fitting into each of the plurality of bone filler devices, all while a base supports the apparatus in an upright condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for the fixation of osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic long bones, especially Colles' fractures. A cannula having a circumferential opening is inserted into cancellous bone and directed such that the circumferential opening faces the fracture. The cannula is further adapted to receive an expandable structure, the expandable structure being inserted through the cannula until it is in registration with the circumferential opening. The expandable structure is expanded through the circumferential opening into cancellous bone and toward the fracture. The expansion of the expandable structure through the circumferential opening toward the fracture causes compression of cancellous bone and moves fractured cortical bone, thus creating a cavity proximal to the fracture. The cavity is then filled with a flowable bone filling material and the material allowed to harden.

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: A cavity creation device is introduced into a cancellous bone volume of a vertebral body through a percutaneous access path. The cavity creating device is manipulated to form a cavity in the cancellous bone volume. A volume of filling material is placed in the cavity by introducing a tube through the percutaneous access path and by conveying the filling material through a side dispensing port of the tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a cavity in an interior body region are described. In one described method, a frame comprising a plurality of frame members disposed adjacent an expansible body is inserted into a treatment area along a path established by a hollow member. The expansible body is expanded in the treatment area, and the expansible body is constrained from expanding by the frame.

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: A method mixes and transfers a bone filling material. The method makes use of a receptacle for receiving components in an unmixed condition. A mixing element can be inserted into the receptacle to mix the components. An actuator having a drive member and a driven member is removably coupled to the mixing element.

Abstract: A method and device for stabilizing cervical vertebrae includes a plate with at least two slots. The device also includes at least two screws including a lower threaded bone-engaging shaft, a shoulder which will not pass through said plate slots and an upper threaded shaft. The screws are positioned and the plate rests on top of the screw shoulders. Locking, low profile caps secure the plate to the screws.