Abstract: An interspinous process spacer diagnostic balloon catheter and method. The balloon catheter has a main expandable member, a distal expandable member and a proximal expandable member that all can be expanded from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration and then collapsed again to a collapsed configuration. The device can be used to determine whether a particular patient is a candidate for implantation of an interspinous process spacer to treat the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis and the size of such a spacer if indicated.

Abstract: A percutaneous path is established into a selected bone having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by a cancellous bone, e.g., a vertebral body. An expandable mesh structure is introduced into the cancellous bone by deployment of a tool through the percutaneous path into the cancellous bone. The expandable mesh structure is expanded within cancellous bone by conveying a material into the mesh structure. Expansion of the mesh structure can, e.g., compact cancellous bone, and/or form a cavity in cancellous bone, and/or move fractured cortical bone.

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: A percutaneous path is established into a selected bone having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by a cancellous bone, e.g., a vertebral body. An expandable stent structure is introduced into the cancellous bone by deployment of a tool through the percutaneous path into the cancellous bone. The expandable stent structure is expanded within cancellous bone.

Abstract: A percutaneous path is established into a selected bone, e.g., a vertebral body, having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone. A first bone filling material is conveyed through the percutaneous path into a region of the cancellous bone. A second bone filling material is conveyed through the percutaneous path into the region. The second bone filling material is different than the first bone filling material.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an expandable member and an elongate assembly. The expandable member is configured to displace a first portion of a bone structure relative to a second portion of the bone structure when moved from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The elongate assembly includes a shaft and an elongated member disposed with a lumen defined by the shaft. A proximal end portion of the expandable member is coupled to a distal end portion of the shaft such that the proximal end portion of the expandable member does not rotate relative to the distal end portion of the shaft when at least a portion of the expandable member is twisted about the elongated member through at least four revolutions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for radioscopic visualization of the positioning of an expandable body in an interior body region are described. One such system includes a radiopaque marking pattern in communication with the expandable body. The radiopaque marking pattern can be configured to allow for visualizing radioscopically the orientation and movement of the expandable body in unexpanded and expanded states in an interior body region. Such a device is useful for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, including, for example, providing cavities in interior body regions.

Abstract: An interspinous process spacer diagnostic balloon catheter and method. The balloon catheter has a main expandable member, a distal expandable member and a proximal expandable member that all can be expanded from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration and then collapsed again to a collapsed configuration. The device can be used to determine whether a particular patient is a candidate for implantation of an interspinous process spacer to treat the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis and the size of such a spacer if indicated.

Abstract: A percutaneous path is created into a bone having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by a cancellous bone, e.g., a vertebral body. An expandable structure is introduced into the cancellous bone by deployment of a tool through the percutaneous path into the cancellous bone. The expandable structure is expanded and the tool withdrawn, leaving the expandable structure expanded inside the cancellous bone. Expansion of the expandable structure within cancellous bone can, e.g., compact cancellous bone, and/or create a cavity in cancellous bone, and/or move fractured cortical bone.

Abstract: An expandable body is inserted into an area of cancellous within a vertebral body through a percutaneous access path. A bone filler is conveyed into the expandable body to expand the expandable body and displace cancellous bone and create a cavity occupied at least in part by the expandable body and the bone filler. The expandable body and the bone filler are left within the cavity to strengthen the vertebral body.

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

Abstract: A vertebral body having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone is selected for treatment. A percutaneous path is established into the vertebral body. A tool is introduced through the percutaneous path that creates a cavity in the cancellous bone. A bone filling material is conveyed to substantially fill the cavity. The bone filling material is pressurized within the cavity to enlarge the cavity.

Abstract: A method selects a vertebral body having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone. The vertebral body has at least one cortical plate that is depressed due to fracture. The method establishes a percutaneous path into the vertebral body. The method introduces through the percutaneous path a tool that forms a region of compressed cancellous bone. The method conveys a bone filling material through the percutaneous path into the region to move the fractured cortical plate toward a desired anatomic position.

Abstract: A percutaneous access path into a vertebral body is established. The vertebral body has an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by a cancellous bone. At least portion of the cancellous bone is compacted or otherwise conditioned, resulting in a cavity in the vertebral body. A bone filler material is conveyed into the cavity at a pressure less than approximately 400 pounds per square inch. The bone filler material can have a viscosity that resists extravazation in cancellous bone.

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: 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: 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: 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 apparatus includes an expandable member and an elongate assembly. The expandable member is configured to displace a first portion of a bone structure relative to a second portion of the bone structure when moved from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The elongate assembly includes a shaft and an elongated member disposed with a lumen defined by the shaft. A proximal end portion of the expandable member is coupled to a distal end portion of the shaft such that the proximal end portion of the expandable member does not rotate relative to the distal end portion of the shaft when at least a portion of the expandable member is twisted about the elongated member through at least four revolutions.

Abstract: A percutaneous path is created into a bone having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by a cancellous bone, e.g., a vertebral body. An expandable bio-absorbable structure is introduced into the cancellous bone by deployment of a tool through the percutaneous path into the cancellous bone. The expandable bio-absorbable structure is expanded and the tool withdrawn, leaving the expandable bio-absorbable structure expanded inside the cancellous bone. Expansion of the expandable bio-absorbable structure within cancellous bone can, e.g., compact cancellous bone, and/or create a cavity in cancellous bone, and/or move fractured cortical bone.