Systems and methods for internal bone fixation

A system for repairing a weakened or fractured bone comprising:

• at least one reinforcing material curable by exposure to visible light, the at least one reinforcing material having a low viscosity liquid consistency;
• a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the delivery catheter having an inner void for passing the at least one reinforcing material;
• a balloon member releasably engaging the distal end of the delivery catheter,
• wherein the balloon member is expandable from a deflated state to an inflated state by adding the at least one reinforcing material through the inner void of the delivery catheter into the balloon member;
• a low pressure delivery system configured to deliver the at least one reinforcing material to the balloon member;
• a light pipe including a core surrounded by a cladding, the light pipe sized to pass through an inner lumen of the delivery catheter and into the balloon member;
• wherein the core of the light pipe is partially exposed along at least a portion of a length of the light pipe such that, the light pipe is configured to disperse the light along the portion of the length of the light pipe to cure the at least one reinforcing material within the balloon member.

A method for repairing a weakened or fractured bone comprising:

• accessing to a cavity of the bone;
• providing a device for use in repairing the bone, the device comprising a delivery catheter having an inner void for passing at least one reinforcing material and an inner lumen for accepting a light pipe, the delivery catheter releasably engaging a balloon member;
• positioning the balloon member in the cavity of the bone;
• inserting the light pipe inside of the balloon member, wherein at least a distal portion of the light pipe is modified by removing a portion of a cladding surrounding the light pipe;
• introducing the at least one reinforcing material through the inner void of the delivery catheter for infusing the reinforcing material within the balloon member, wherein the balloon member moves from a deflated state to an inflated state;
• passing light through the light pipe so the light pipe disperses light energy inside the balloon member such that the at least one reinforcing material is hardened;
• and
• releasing the hardened balloon member from the delivery catheter.