Abstract: An extractable device is used to insert a medicinal filling into a spinal disc. The device comprises a filling member and a flowable medicine. The filling member is made of a flexible and permeable wall and is provided with a holding portion and an injection port via which the flowable medicine is injected into the holding portion after the filling member is inserted into the spinal disc. The holding portion is provided with an opening which is releasably lashed by one end of one or more threads so as to make the opening leakproof. Upon completion of solidification of the flowable medicine in the holding portion of the filling member, other end of the thread is pulled to unlash the opening of the holding portion, thereby enabling the filling member to be extracted from the spinal disc so as to leave only the medicine in the spinal disc.

Abstract: Systems and methods treat fractured or diseased bone by deploying more than a single therapeutic tool into the bone. In one arrangement, the systems and methods deploy an expandable body in association with a bone cement nozzle into the bone, such that both occupy the bone interior at the same time. In another arrangement, the systems and methods deploy multiple expandable bodies, which occupy the bone interior volume simultaneously. Expansion of the bodies form cavity or cavities in cancellous bone in the interior bone volume.

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 provide greater control over the placement of cement and other flowable liquids into bone.

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: Cancellous bone is accessed through a subcutaneous access path in soft tissue. A cavity is formed in cancellous bone by a cavity forming tool that is advanced through the subcutaneous access path into cancellous bone and manipulated to form the cavity. A measured volume of bone filling material is delivered into the cavity through the subcutaneous access path by a nozzle having an interior bore defining an interior volume sized for containing bone filling material, which is advanced through the subcutaneous access path. A nested instrument is formed while clearing residual bone filling material from the interior bore by an auxiliary tool that can be manipulated independently of the nozzle, which is advanced through the interior bore of the nozzle.

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: Cephalad and caudal vertebral facet joint prostheses and methods of use are provided. A pair of fixation elements are adapted to be secured within a vertebra in an orientation that best assures a secure and durable attachment to cortical and/or cancellous bone. Artificial facet joint surfaces are mounted on the fixation elements, either directly or with the aid of a support. The artificial facet joint structure may be carried by an arm. The artificial facet joint structure is adapted for articulation with a complementary natural or artificial facet joint structure. Bilateral prostheses may by coupled by a brace to further secure and stabilize the prostheses.

Abstract: Systems and methods treat fractured or diseased bone by deploying more than a single therapeutic tool into the bone. In one arrangement, the systems and methods deploy an expandable body in association with a bone cement nozzle into the bone, such that both occupy the bone interior at the same time. In another arrangement, the systems and methods deploy multiple expandable bodies, which occupy the bone interior volume simultaneously. Expansion of the bodies form cavity or cavities in cancellous bone in the interior bone volume.

Abstract: A method provides a void creation device including an expandable structure adapted to undergo expansion in the cancellous bone volume of a bone selected for treatment. The expandable structure has at least one dimension so that the expandable structure will assume a predetermined shape and size when substantially expanded that compacts only a first volume of the cancellous bone volume to form a void, leaving a second volume of the cancellous bone volume substantially uncompacted by the expandable structure. A filling material is placed within the void through the percutaneous access path.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating bones having bone marrow therein, or other targeted anatomical locations, including bones that are weakened, suffering from or prone to fracture and/or disease. The disclosed devices desirably prepare the targeted anatomical site for a flow of filling/stabilizing and/or therapeutic material, and then provide for control of the flow of material within the targeted anatomical site, measure the volume of material delivered to the site of interest, and prevent the placement of materials in unintended locations. Once material has been delivered, some or all of the flow control devices can be removed from the targeted anatomical site.

Abstract: Delivery devices and methods to be used in the delivery of filling/stabilizing and/or therapeutic materials to a bone or other targeted anatomical site. The disclosed devices desirably control the flow of material, measure the volume of material delivered to the site of interest, and prevent the placement of materials in unintended locations. These disclosed devices desirably combine multiple uses of mechanical control of the filler/stabilizing material delivery, rotational advancement of syringe mechanisms in combination with the advantages of manual displacement of filling/stabilizing material from a cannula/stylet pair.

Abstract: A spinal implant device for fusing adjacent vertebra having a first base member, a second base member and a center section. The center section is designed to provide flexibility between the first base member and the second base member. A channel extends through the implant from the first base member through the center section to the second base member to allow for bone growth through the implant device.

Abstract: A tool served to convey a bone filling material into a cancellous bone volume. The tool carries an expandable structure, which is sized and configured for expansion within the cancellous bone volume to condition the cancellous bone volume for receiving 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 is expanded while disposed within the cancellous bone volume to create a cavity. A volume of filling material is placed within the cavity. The filling material includes a therapeutic substance.

Abstract: A vertebral body is selected for treatment. The vertebral body has a cortical wall enclosing a cancellous bone volume. The vertebral body also has at least one cortical plate that is depressed due to fracture. 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 move the fractured cortical plate toward a desired anatomic position.

Abstract: An expandable device is introduced into a cancellous bone volume of a vertebral body through a percutaneous access path. The vertebral body has at least one cortical plate that is depressed due to fracture. 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 move the fractured cortical plate toward a desired anatomic position.

Abstract: Cephalad and caudal vertebral facet joint prostheses and methods of use are provided. A pair of fixation elements are adapted to be secured within a vertebra in an orientation that best assures a secure and durable attachment to cortical and/or cancellous bone. Artificial facet joint surfaces are mounted on the fixation elements, either directly or with the aid of a support. The artificial facet joint structure may be carried by an arm. The artificial facet joint structure is adapted for articulation with a complementary natural or artificial facet joint structure. Bilateral prostheses may by coupled by a brace to further secure and stabilize the prostheses. Artificial facet joints can be used in combination with artificial intervertebral discs to treat a spinal pathology.

Abstract: Prostheses, systems, and methods are provided for replacement of natural facet joints between adjacent vertebrae using polyaxial attachment mechanisms for securing the prostheses to the vertebrae. A cephalad prosthesis attached to a superior adjacent vertebra replaces the inferior half of a natural facet joint. A caudal prosthesis attached to an inferior adjacent vertebra replaces the superior half of a natural facet joint. Both the cephalad and caudal prostheses are configured with artificial facet joint structures that include articulating surfaces that cooperate and form an artificial articular configuration. The polyaxial attachment mechanism permits adjustment of the position of the artificial facet joint structure along more than one axis at or after the time the cephalad or caudal prosthesis is attached to a vertebra.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide a tool comprising a trocar and a cannula in which the trocar engages the cannula to form a composite instrument. The trocar includes a handle and a lumen through the trocar and the trocar handle that accommodates passage of a functional instrument, such as a stylet, guidewire, or spinal needle assembly. The cannula includes a handle and is sized and configured to accommodate passage of the trocar. The trocar handle mates with the cannula handle to form a composite handle when the trocar is engaged with the cannula.