Methods and devices for treating fractured and/or diseased bone

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices and methods for treating fractured and/or diseased bone. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices and methods for repairing, reinforcing and/or treating fractured and/or diseased bone using various devices, including cavity-forming devices.

1 .- 5 . (canceled)  
     
     
         6 . A method, comprising: 
 introducing a first amount of bone cement into a cavity defined within cancellous bone within a vertebral body; and    introducing a second amount of bone cement into the cavity of the vertebral body after the introducing the first amount of bone cement, such that a distance between a first end plate and a second end plate of the vertebral body are substantially unchanged after the introducing the first amount of bone cement and the distance being increased after the introducing the second amount of bone cement.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the cancellous bone is compressed by the introducing the first amount of bone cement, and  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the introducing the first amount of bone cement includes using a plunger to displace the first amount of bone cement, and    the introducing the second amount of bone cement includes using the plunger to displace the second amount of bone cement.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the bone cement has particles larger than a pore size within the cancellous bone.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the introducing the first amount of bone cement includes introducing the first amount of bone cement percutaneously.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the introducing the first amount of bone cement includes introducing a settable material.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising first inserting percutaneously an elongate body into the vertebral body to create the cavity.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the introducing the first amount of bone cement and the introducing the second amount of bone cement occurs substantially without leakage of the bone cement from the cavity.  
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising: 
 inserting an elongate body into an interior of a vertebral body;    inserting a first amount of bone cement into a cavity defined within the vertebral body, a distance between a first end plate of the vertebral body and a second end plate of the vertebral body being substantially unchanged after the inserting the first amount of bone cement; and    inserting a second amount of bone cement into the interior of the vertebral body, the distance between the first end plate and the second end plate of the vertebral body being substantially restored after the inserting the second amount of bone cement.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the inserting the first amount of bone cement and the inserting the second amount of bone cement occurs substantially without leakage of the bone cement from the cavity.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the elongate body has a tapered distal end.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the inserting the elongate body includes inserting the elongate body percutaneously.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the elongate body has a distal end portion including an expandable portion, the expandable portion having a collapsed configuration and an expandable configuration.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 monitoring fluoroscopically the interior of the vertebral body during the inserting the second amount of bone cement.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the inserting the first amount of bone cement includes injecting the bone cement at atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , the elongate body being introduced into the interior of the vertebral body through a shaft, the method further comprising: 
 removing the elongate body through the shaft before the inserting the first amount of bone cement into the cavity, the bone cement being introduced through the shaft.    
     
     
         22 . A kit, comprising: 
 an elongate body configured to be introduced into an interior of a vertebral body to define a cavity in cancellous bone;    a plunger configured to be coupled to the elongate body;    a first amount of bone cement such that a distance between a first end plate and a second end plate of the vertebral body is substantially unchanged when the first amount of bone cement is inserted into the interior of the vertebral body via the plunger and the elongate body; and    a second amount of bone cement sufficient to increase the distance between the first end plate and the second end plate of the vertebral body when inserted into the interior of the vertebral body via the plunger and the elongate body.    
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein: 
 a distal end portion of the elongate body has an expandable portion, the expandable portion having a collapsed configuration and an expandable configuration,    the distal end portion of elongate body being configured to be introduced into the interior of the vertebral body while in the collapsed configuration, and    the distal end portion of the elongate body configured to define the cavity while in the expanded configuration.    
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein: 
 the bone cement has particles larger than a pore size within the cancellous bone.    
     
     
         22 . A method, comprising: 
 inserting a bone cement into a vertebral body, a distance between a first end plate of the vertebral body and a second end plate of the vertebral body being substantially changed after the inserting the bone cement.