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 The expandable structure is expanded and the tool withdrawn, leaving the expandable structure expanded inside the cancellous bone.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:
A prosthesis is installed in a cavity that traverses a joint between a talus and a calcaneus. The cavity is established by intramedullary guidance with respect to the major axis of the tibia by access through the calcaneus.
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.
Abstract:
Intramedullary guidance systems and methods introduce some and/or all surgical tools and ankle prostheses components through the tibia, using minimal invasive exposure in the tibia tubercle, or retrograde through the talus, using minimal invasive exposure in planar surface of the calcaneus. The systems and methods align the talus and tibia for the installation of one or more ankle prostheses components, and also maintain that alignment during the installation using intramedullary guidance, e.g., by use of a guide pin to form an intramedullar passage along which surgical tools and prosthetic components are guided.
Abstract:
Systems and methods insert an expandable body in a collapsed configuration into a space defined between cortical bone surfaces. The space can, e.g., comprise a fracture or an intervertebral space. The systems and methods cause expansion of the expandable body within the space, thereby pushing apart the cortical bone surfaces to, e.g., reduce the fracture or push apart adjacent vertebral bodies as part of a therapeutic procedure.
Abstract:
A prosthesis assembly replaces all or a portion of a caudal portion of a left natural facet joint (i.e., a left superior articular process) and all or a portion of a caudal portion of a right natural facet joint (i.e., a right superior articular process) on a vertebral body. The prosthesis assembly has a left prosthesis body accommodating fixation to the vertebral body at or near a left pedicle and without support by a lamina. An artificial left facet joint structure is carried by the left prosthesis body and is adapted and configured to replace all or a portion of a caudal portion of the left natural facet joint. The prosthesis assembly also has a right prosthesis body accommodating fixation to the vertebral body at or near a right pedicle and without support by a lamina. An artificial right facet joint structure is carried by the right prosthesis body and is adapted and configured to replace all or a portion of a caudal portion of the left natural facet joint.
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:
Intramedullary guidance systems and methods introduce some and/or all surgical tools and ankle prostheses components through the tibia, using minimal invasive exposure in the tibia tubercle, or retrograde through the talus, using minimal invasive exposure in planar surface of the calcaneus. The systems and methods align the talus and tibia for the installation of one or more ankle prostheses components, and also maintain that alignment during the installation using intramedullary guidance, e.g., by use of a guide pin to form an intramedullar passage along which surgical tools and prosthetic components are guided.
Abstract:
A tube body includes an interior bore to carry a material flow into bone. The tube body includes a dispensing end having an opening communicating with the bore to dispense the material flow. One embodiment provides a cutting element, which extends in the opening to permit passage of the material flow and to sever the material flow in response to rotation of the tube body. Another embodiment deflects the dispensing end from the main axis of the tube body, to facilitate targeted introduction of flowable material, even when the access path does not align the tube body along the natural geometric axes of the treatment site. Another embodiment provides a connector having a rotating fitting, which releasably connects the tube body to a cement injecting tool. The rotating fitting allows the physician to rotate the injection nozzle assembly to control orientation and position in the treatment site, without rotating the associated injection tool itself.