Systems for the minimally invasive repair, stabilization and/or fixation of a fractured bone, such as a rib, are disclosed. The systems include one or more rods/support members that are designed to extend along a dimension of a bone being repaired and secure the fractured bone. The support members can be photodynamic and are formed using an expandable member that is filled with a light-sensitive liquid that is cured to form the rigid support member. Two or more clamps are used to secure the support member(s) to the rib or other bone. Minimally invasive surgical methods for securing the systems to a fractured bone are also disclosed.

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.

A balloon kyphoplasty surgical device including an extrusion tube having internal fluid channels and a support wire, a port arrangement positioned on a proximal end of the extrusion tube and a balloon arrangement positioned on a distal end of the extrusion tube, the balloon arrangement resulting in a cubic shape when inflated by the port arrangement.

A composite implant comprising a bioabsorbable matrix material, an outer sheath of a textile comprising filaments; and a plurality of flexible reinforcing rods held together by the outer sheath; each of the flexible reinforcing rods have a plurality of filaments, and the filaments of the textile and the flexible reinforcing rods include a degradable or resorbable glass. Preferably, the filaments are present in the composite implant in an amount of 20 volume percent to 95 volume percent, based on the total volume of the composite implant.

Systems and methods for restructure and stabilization of bones that provide an anti-microbial effect are disclosed herein. A device includes a delivery catheter having an inner void for passing at least one light sensitive liquid, and an inner lumen; an expandable member releasably engaging the distal end of the delivery catheter; at least one channel positioned in the expandable member; and a light conducting fiber sized to pass through the inner lumen of the delivery catheter and into the expandable member, wherein, when the light conducting fiber is in the at least one channel, the light conducting fiber is able to disperse light energy to provide an anti-microbial effect. When the light conducting fiber is in the expandable member, the light conducting fiber is able to disperse the light energy to initiate hardening of the light sensitive liquid within the expandable member to form a photodynamic implant.

An expandable support device for tissue repair is disclosed. The device can be used to repair hard or soft tissue, such as bone. The expandable support device can have interconnected struts. A method of repairing tissue is also disclosed. The expandable support device can be inserted into a damaged bone and radial expanded. The radial expansion of the expandable support device struts can cause the struts to cut mechanically support and/or the 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.

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.

A kyphoplasty cannula includes a shaft extending between opposite first and second end surfaces. The shaft has an inner surface defining a lumen. The shaft has a first opening that extends through the first end surface and a second opening that extends through the second end surface. A scoop extends from the second end surface. The scoop has an arcuate inner surface that is continuous with the inner surface of the shaft an opposite outer surface. The scoop has a rib. Kits and methods of use are disclosed.

Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, methods and apparatus for treatment of vertebral fractures that include a containment assembly for cement containment and/or a balloon assembly for maintaining vertebral height. A containment assembly comprising a containment jacket adapted to be deployed inside bone; and a dividing wall that separates the interior of the containment jacket into a proximal region and a distal region, the dividing wall having an opening for providing access to the distal region from the proximal region.