Apparatus for treating bone

Abstract

Implants and methods for bone treatment, preferably minimally invasive treatment, including repositioning of vertebrae may comprise insertion of a bobbin having a wire, string, thread or band, coiled around the bobbin. During coiling, the diameter of the bobbing / band complex may increase. Such increase in diameter can push against the inner side of the endplates of the vertebral body, and augmentthe vertebral body to its original height. The implant may also take the form of a coiled sleeve which when inserted into the vertebral body is uncoiled. The force of the uncoiling sleeve pushes against the inner side o the endplates of the vertebral body, restoring the vertebral body to its original height. The implant may also take the form of fibrous masses comprised of a thread or other relatively thin structure, for example a fiber or strand, of any biocompatible material having desired characteristics, for example a shape memory alloy, titanium, stainless steel, another metal or metal alloy, a ceramic, a composite or any combination thereof. The, strand, thread or other fiber may be coiled, woven, matted, tangled or otherwise formed into a wool-like mass or body having a desired configuration. Expansion of the expandable member within the vertebral body or other bone may reposition the fractured bone to a desired height and augment the bone to maintain the desired height. A bonecement or other filler can be added to further treat and stabilize the vertebral body or other bone.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60,692,408, filed June 20, 2005; 60,715,188, filed September 8, 2005; and 60,733,647, filed November 4, 2005, which U.S. Provisional Applications The entire content of is incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] The present invention relates to surgical implants, and more particularly to minimally invasive instruments and methods for treating (ie filling, augmenting and / or reducing) bone, preferably vertebrae, and / or restoring lordosis. Background technique [0004] Such as figure 1 As shown in , compression fractures of the spine represent a generally common spinal injury and can result in long-term disability. See "A Complete Classification of Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Injuries" by F. Margerl et al., Eur Spine J 184-201, 1994. These fractures include the collapse of one or more vertebral bodies 12 in the spine 10 . Compressi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This procedure therefore has many of the same drawbacks and deficiencies described above for kyphoplasty

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