A kyphoplasty system disclosed herein includes various instruments which can be selectively used to perform a kyphoplasty operation on a patient. For example, in some embodiments the kyphoplasty system includes an inflation plunger that is used to deliver a balloon inflation medium to enlarge an implantable balloon device. Further, some embodiments described herein include a connection system between the implantable balloon device and its delivery shaft that is simple to construct and easy to use. For example, in some embodiments one or more sutures are used to releasably connect the implantable balloon device to its delivery shaft.

The present invention provides a spinal implant structure. The spinal implant structure comprises a first tube, a second tube and at least one expansion arm. The second tube is disposed on the horizontal orientation of the first tube and does not overlap with the first tube. The diameter of the first tube is larger than that of the second tube. One end of the expansion arm is connected to the first tube, and the other end of the expansion arm is free end. The expansion arm and the first tube create an angle. The expansion arm includes a supporting arm. One end of the supporting arm is connected to the expansion arm, and the other end of the supporting arm is connected the second tube. The support arm, in response to a change in a distance between the first tube and the second tube, drives the expansion arm to move, thereby increasing the included angle and expanding the spinal implant structure.

A composite comprising: a barrier, said barrier being configured to selectively pass water, and said barrier being degradable in the presence of water; a matrix material for disposition within said barrier, wherein said matrix material has a flowable state and a set state, and wherein said matrix material is degradable in the presence of water; and at least one reinforcing element for disposition within said barrier and integration with said matrix material, wherein said at least one reinforcing element is degradable in the presence of water, and further wherein, upon the degradation of said at least one reinforcing element in the presence of water, provides an agent for modulating the degradation rate of said matrix material in the presence of water.

The invention relates to a system (10) for the intraosseous injection of surgical cement comprising an external sleeve (11); a cannula (13) mounted coaxially in the external sleeve, said cannula being able to be moved along a longitudinal axis (A) in the external sleeve, the cannula being provided with a tapered distal point (15); and a stent (18) accommodated in the interior of the external sleeve, said stent being mounted around a distal end (16) of the cannula. The invention also relates to a kit comprising a system of this type for the injection of surgical cement, surgical cement injection means capable of being connected to the proximal end of the internal cannula, and possibly surgical cement.

Systems and methods for augmenting a vertebral body may include an optional access cannula, introducer device, and a stylet having a stylet shaft. The access cannula includes a hub portion and a cannula shaft extending from the cannula hub. The cannula shaft includes a distal end positionable within the vertebral body that defines a lumen along a longitudinal axis. The introducer device may be a telescoping or pivoting introducer device that is removably coupled to the hub portion of the access cannula. The introducer device controls the movement of the flexible distal portion of the stylet shaft and the flexible sheath from within the introducer device through the access cannula to within a target site in the vertebral body, wherein the flexible distal portion is moved from the constrained to the unconstrained state to displace cancellous bone within the target site.

The invention relates to an assembly (1) for positioning and positionally immobilizing an inflatable balloon (3) within a vertebral body, comprising an access piece (2) providing access to the vertebral body, which has a cannula and is of elongate shape, and an inflatable balloon (3) mounted at the end of a catheter (4) able to be connected to a fluid-delivery unit, the assembly comprising balloon (3) and catheter being designed to pass slidingly through the access piece (2), characterized in that the access piece (2) comprises means of anchorage in the vertebral body, the assembly further comprising means for positionally immobilizing the catheter provided with the balloon (3) on the access piece (2).

A composite implant comprising an injectable matrix material which is flowable and settable, and at least one reinforcing element for integration with the injectable matrix material, the at least one reinforcing element adding sufficient strength to the injectable matrix material such that when the composite implant is disposed in a cavity in a bone, the composite implant supports the bone. A method for treating a bone, the method comprising: selecting at least one reinforcing element to be combined with an injectable matrix material so as to together form a composite implant capable of supporting the bone; positioning the at least one reinforcing element in a cavity in the bone; flowing the injectable matrix material into the cavity in the bone so that the injectable matrix material interfaces with the at least one reinforcing element; and transforming the injectable matrix material from a flowable state to a non-flowable state so as to establish a static structure for the composite implant, such that the composite implant supports the adjacent bone.

Photodynamic devices for replacement of an articular head of a bone are provided. In an embodiment, a photodynamic device includes a photodynamic support member and an articular member attachable, either fixedly or removably, to the photodynamic support member and having a bearing surface. In an embodiment, the articular member includes a recess designed to receive the photodynamic support member. In an embodiment, the photodynamic support member includes an opening into which a shaft of the articular member can be inserted to attach the articular member to the photodynamic support member.

An apparatus and methods for delivery of reinforcing materials to a weakened or fractured bone is disclosed. An apparatus for delivering a reinforcing mixture to a bone including a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the tube has at least one inner lumen capable of allowing a bone reinforcing mixture to pass therethrough; a balloon engaging the tube wherein the balloon expands from a substantially deflated state to a substantially inflated state upon the bone reinforcing mixture entering the balloon; and at least one light guide extending through the tube into the balloon to guide a light into the balloon.

Photodynamic devices for replacement of an articular head of a bone are provided. In an embodiment, a photodynamic device includes a photodynamic support member and an articular member attachable, either fixedly or removably, to the photodynamic support member and having a bearing surface. In an embodiment, the articular member includes a recess designed to receive the photodynamic support member. In an embodiment, the photodynamic support member includes an opening into which a shaft of the articular member can be inserted to attach the articular member to the photodynamic support member.