Methods and apparatus for placing materials into bone

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.

1 . A system comprising 
 a cannula sized and configured to establish an access path through soft tissue to bone having a cancellous bone volume,    a bone treatment tool sized and configured to be introduced through the cannula into the cancellous bone volume and carrying an operative structure that is capable of being enlarged in situ to contact a region of the cancellous bone volume, and    a nozzle sized and configured to be introduced through the cannula into the cancellous bone volume, the nozzle including 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.    
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1   further including a tamping instrument 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, and withdrawal of the tamping terminus from the cannula.    
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the cannula comprises a generally rigid material.    
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the cannula is plastic.    
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein at least a portion of the nozzle is generally flexible.    
     
     
         6 . A system comprising 
 a cannula sized and configured to establish an access path through soft tissue to bone having a cancellous bone volume,    a bone treatment tool sized and configured to be introduced through the cannula into the cancellous bone volume and carrying an operative structure that is capable of being extended in situ to contact a region of the cancellous bone volume, and    a nozzle sized and configured to be introduced through the cannula into the cancellous bone volume, the nozzle including a connector element that releasably couples the nozzle to a dispenser of filling material to deliver filling material into the region of cancellous bone contacted by the operative structure.    
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6   further including a tamping instrument 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, and withdrawal of the tamping terminus from the cannula.    
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 6   wherein the cannula comprises a generally rigid material.    
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 6   wherein the cannula is plastic.    
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 6   wherein at least a portion of the nozzle is generally flexible.    
     
     
         11 . A method comprising 
 providing a system as defined in  claim 1 ,    introducing the bone treatment tool through the cannula into the cancellous bone volume,    enlarging the operative structure in situ to contact a region of the cancellous bone volume,    introducing the nozzle through the cannula into the cancellous bone volume,    releasably coupling the nozzle to a dispenser of filling material, and    delivering filling material through the nozzle into the region of cancellous bone contacted by the operative structure.    
     
     
         12 . A method comprising 
 providing a system as defined in  claim 6 ,    introducing the bone treatment tool through the cannula into the cancellous bone volume,    extending the operative structure in situ to contact a region of the cancellous bone volume,    introducing the nozzle through the cannula into the cancellous bone volume,    releasably coupling the nozzle to a dispenser of filling material, and    delivering filling material through the nozzle into the region of cancellous bone contacted by the operative structure.