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US 9,168,078 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for stylet-guided vertebral augmentation
AssigneeCareFusion 2200, Inc.
InventorsEvan D. Linderman, John A. Krueger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stylet-guided balloon vertebroplasty system, as well as methods for bone augmentation using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target an approximately centered target site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height and/or to reinforce the bone structure.
Claims23
A method for stabilizing a bone structure of a patient, the method comprising steps of:
- identifying a target site for locating an expandable member within a bone structure at a predetermined location,
- directing a distal end of a generally straight access cannula into the bone structure near the target site;
- providing a guide stylet assembly that comprises
- a stylet including memory metal and having a distal pre-set stylet curved;
- and
- an overlying flexible polymeric delivery tube through which the stylet snugly and slidably extends, where the stylet and the delivery tube have sufficient length to extend through and be operable beyond the distal end of the access cannula, and where the stylet pre-set curved portion is held generally longitudinally straight when the stylet is constrained by the access cannula;
- directing the stylet and overlying delivery tube simultaneously and coaxially through the access cannula and out the distal end of the access cannula, where the pre-set stylet curved portion, no longer constrained by the access cannula, curves toward and forms a path into the target site as it is extended out of the access cannula distal end;
- withdrawing the stylet from the overlying delivery tube;
- then,
- directing an expandable member in a contracted state through the delivery tube into the target site where the delivery tube provides effective protection for the expandable member from damaging contact with the bone structure;
- expanding the expandable member to form a cavity at the target site;
- and, thereafter,
- delivering a curable material into the cavity.
10 more elements
A system configured for stabilizing a bone structure of a patient, the system comprising:
- an access cannula configured for penetrating into a bone structure;
- a guide stylet assembly that comprises
- a stylet including memory metal and incorporating a distal pre-set curved stylet portion;
- and
- an overlying flexible polymeric delivery tube through which the stylet coaxially, snugly, and slidably extends, where the stylet and the flexible polymeric delivery tube have sufficient length to extend through and be operable beyond the distal end of the access cannula, and where the pre-set curved stylet portion is held generally longitudinally straight when the stylet is constrained by the access cannula;
- and
- an expandable member dimensioned and operable for passage through and deployment outside a distal end of the flexible polymeric delivery tube in a manner displacing bone material.
4 more elements
A method for stabilizing a bone structure of a patient, the method comprising steps of:
- identifying a target site for locating an expandable member within a bone structure at a predetermined location,
- directing a distal end of a generally straight access cannula into the bone structure near the target site;
- providing a guide stylet assembly that comprises
- a stylet including memory metal and incorporating a distal pre-set stylet curve;
- and
- an overlying flexible polymeric delivery tube through which the stylet snugly and slidably extends, where the stylet and the delivery tube have sufficient length to extend through and be operable beyond the distal end of the access cannula, and where the pre-set curve is held generally longitudinally straight when the stylet is constrained by the access cannula;
- directing the stylet and overlying delivery tube simultaneously and coaxially through the access cannula and out the distal end of the access cannula, where the pre-set stylet curved, no longer constrained by the access cannula, curves toward and forms a path into the target site as it is extended out of the access cannula distal end;
- withdrawing the stylet and the overlying delivery tube;
- then,
- directing an expandable member in a contracted state through the path formed into the target site;
- expanding the expandable member to form a cavity at the target site;
- and, thereafter,
- delivering a curable material into the cavity.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.