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

Abstract: Cephalad and caudal vertebral facet joint prostheses and methods of use are provided. The prostheses provide an artificial facet joint structure including an artificial articular configuration unlike the preexisting articular configuration. The radii and material stress values of the prostheses are configured to sustain contact stress. The cephalad prosthesis provides for posterior-anterior adjustment. Both prostheses permit lateral adjustment and adjustment to accommodate interpedicle distance. Further, the prostheses may be customized to provide a pre-defined lordotic angle and a pre-defined pedicle entry angle.

Abstract: Cephalad and caudal vertebral facet joint prostheses and methods of use are provided. The prostheses provide an artificial facet joint structure including an artificial articular configuration unlike the preexisting articular configuration. The radii and material stress values of the prostheses are configured to sustain contact stress. The cephalad prosthesis provides for posterior-anterior adjustment. Both prostheses permit lateral adjustment and adjustment to accommodate interpedicle distance. Further, the prostheses may be customized to provide a pre-defined lordotic angle and a pre-defined pedicle entry angle.

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: 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: A cannula is sized and configured to establish an access path through soft tissue to bone having a cancellous bone volume. A bone treatment tool is sized and configured to be introduced through the cannula into the cancellous bone volume. The bone treatment tool carries an operative structure that is capable of being enlarged in situ to contact a region of the cancellous bone volume. A nozzle is sized and configured to be introduced through the cannula into the cancellous bone volume. The nozzle includes a connector element that releasably couples to a dispenser of filling material to deliver filling material into the region of cancellous bone contacted by the operative structure.

Abstract: A cannula establishes a subcutaneous path into bone. A tamping instrument can be manipulated independent of the cannula to enable insertion of the tamping instrument into the cannula, advancement of the tamping terminus in the cannula to urge material residing in the cannula into bone, and withdrawal of the tamping terminus from the cannula. The tamping instrument includes at least one marking to visually gauge the advancement of a terminus of the tamping instrument relative to a distal end of the cannula.

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: 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: 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 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 cannula establishes a subcutaneous path into bone. The cannula includes at least one radiopaque marker. A tamping instrument having a tamping terminus is sized and configured for manipulation independent of the cannula to enable insertion of the tamping instrument into the cannula, advancement of the tamping terminus in the cannula to urge material residing in the cannula into bone, and withdrawal of the tamping terminus from the cannula.

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 cannula establishes a subcutaneous path into bone. A tamping instrument having a tamping terminus is sized and configured for manipulation independent of the cannula to enable insertion of the tamping instrument into the cannula, advancement of the tamping terminus in the cannula to urge material residing in the cannula into bone, and withdrawal of the tamping terminus from the cannula.

Abstract: A cannula establishes a subcutaneous path into bone. The cannula includes at least one predetermined marking. A tamping instrument is advanced through the cannula to deliver material into the bone by grasping an enlarged handle portion formed on the tamping instrument. The advancement is visually gauged by observing at least one predetermined marking on the tamping instrument to determine a position of a terminus of the tamping instrument relative to a distal end of the cannula.

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: Cephalad and caudal vertebral facet joint prostheses and methods of use are provided. The prostheses provide an artificial facet joint structure including an artificial articular configuration unlike the preexisting articular configuration. The radii and material stress values of the prostheses are configured to sustain contact stress. The cephalad prosthesis provides for posterior-anterior adjustment. Both prostheses permit lateral adjustment and adjustment to accommodate interpedicle distance. Further, the prostheses may be customized to provide a pre-defined lordotic angle and a pre-defined pedicle entry angle.

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 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.