Systems and methods for reducing fractured bone using a fracture reduction cannula

Abstract

Systems and methods provide for the fixation of osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic long bones, especially Colles' fractures. A cannula having a circumferential opening is inserted into cancellous bone and directed such that the circumferential opening faces the fracture. The cannula is further adapted to receive an expandable structure, the expandable structure being inserted through the cannula until it is in registration with the circumferential opening. The expandable structure is expanded through the circumferential opening into cancellous bone and toward the fracture. The expansion of the expandable structure through the circumferential opening toward the fracture causes compression of cancellous bone and moves fractured cortical bone, thus creating a cavity proximal to the fracture. The cavity is then filled with a flowable bone filling material and the material allowed to harden.

1 . A tool for establishing a percutaneous path into bone comprising: 
 a cannula having a side wall defining an internal bore aligned along an axis, the cannula having a distal end;    a circumferential opening in the side wall, the circumferential opening having a distal terminus, and the circumferential opening extending partially about the side wall and being elongated along the axis and adapted to accommodate passage of an expandable structure from within the bore; and    the bore being solid between the distal terminus of the circumferential opening and the distal end of the cannula.    
     
     
         2 . A tool for establishing a percutaneous path into bone comprising: 
 a cannula having a side wall defining an internal bore aligned along an axis, the cannula having a distal end;    a distal opening in the distal end communicating with the bore to accommodate passage of a guide pin; and    a circumferential opening in the side wall, the circumferential opening extending partially about the side wall and being elongated along the axis and adapted to accommodate passage of an expandable structure from within the bore.    
     
     
         3 . A tool for establishing a percutaneous path into bone comprising: 
 a cannula having a side wall defining an internal bore aligned along an axis, the cannula having a distal end;    a circumferential opening in the side wall, the circumferential opening extending partially about the side wall and being elongated along the axis and adapted to accommodate passage of an expandable structure from within the bore; and    a surface on the distal end of the cannula to anchor the distal end in bone.    
     
     
         4 . A tool as in  claim 3 , wherein the circumferential opening has a distal terminus; and 
 the bore being solid between the distal terminus of the circumferential opening and the distal end of the cannula.    
     
     
         5 . A tool as in  claim 3 , wherein the cannula has a distal opening in the distal end communicating with the bore to accommodate passage of a guide pin.  
     
     
         6 . An assembly for treating bone comprising: 
 a cannula having a side wall defining an internal bore aligned along an axis, the cannula having a distal end;    a distal opening in the distal end communicating with the bore to accommodate passage of a guide pin;    a circumferential opening in the side wall extending partially about the side wall and being elongated along the axis and adapted to accommodate passage of an expandable structure from within the bore; and    an expandable structure adapted for insertion through bone into the cannula and expansion through the circumferential opening.    
     
     
         7 . An assembly for treating bone comprising: 
 a cannula having a side wall defining an internal bore aligned along an axis, the cannula having a distal end;    a circumferential opening in the side wall, the circumferential opening having a distal terminus, and the circumferential opening extending partially about the side wall and being elongated along the axis and adapted to accommodate passage of an expandable structure from within the bore;    the bore being solid between the distal terminus of the circumferential opening and the distal end of the cannula; and    an expandable structure adapted for insertion through bone into the cannula and expansion through the circumferential opening.    
     
     
         8 . An assembly for treating bone comprising: 
 a cannula having a side wall defining an internal bore aligned along an axis, the cannula having a distal end;    a circumferential opening in the side wall, the circumferential opening having a distal terminus, and the circumferential opening extending partially about the side wall and being elongated along the axis and adapted to accommodate passage of an expandable structure from within the bore;    a surface on the distal end of the cannula to anchor the distal end in bone; and    an expandable structure adapted for insertion through bone into the cannula and expansion through the circumferential opening.    
     
     
         9 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 6  or  7  or  8 , wherein the expandable structure has radio opaque markers for locating the structure within the circumferential opening.  
     
     
         10 . A method for treating bone comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cannula as defined in  claim 1  or  2  or  3 ;    inserting the cannula into cancellous bone;    inserting an expandable structure through the cannula into registration with the circumferential opening; and    expanding the expandable structure through the circumferential opening into contact with cancellous bone.    
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of expanding the expandable structure compacts cancellous bone.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the compaction of cancellous bone forms a cavity.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12  and further including the step of conveying a material into the cavity.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the step of expanding the expandable structure moves fractured cortical bone.