The invention provides a system for the preshearing based control of the flow and deformation behavior, i.e., the setting kinetics, and the time dependent shear viscosity, elasticity of aqueous cementitious suspensions that can be used for bone repair and regeneration. The dynamic cement microstructure is tailored to the demands of the surgical tasks (faster/slower setting) or additive manufacturing tasks (lower/higher viscosity) by application of various preshearing conditions. Since the relationships between the preshearing and pressurization conditions and the setting kinetics and the time dependent changes in elasticity and viscosity are complex, a priori characterization of viscoelastic properties using the advanced rheological characterization technique of small-amplitude oscillatory rheometry is needed to enable such tailoring. The preshearing system is intended to give control on the injectability and setting time of any calcium phosphate cement formulation to the surgeon during an orthopedic surgery where a batch of bone cement is processed. Other possible utilizations of the system include controlling the setting kinetics, shear viscosity and facilitating the resultant flow stability of cementitious ceramic suspensions processed in direct ink writing assemblies for additive manufacturing of cement constructs, in injection systems for oil wells, restoration and fracking.

Systems and methods for treating vertebral compression fractures are discussed. In an embodiment, a method includes mixing bone cement precursors thereby causing a first chemical curing reaction characterized by a first time-viscosity profile, controllably applying energy to the bone cement from an external source to modify the first time-viscosity profile to a second time-viscosity profile, and injecting the cement into bone at a substantially constant viscosity greater than about 1000 Pa.Math.s to greater than about 5000 Pa.Math.s over an extended working time. In another embodiment, a bone cement injector system is provided that includes a first handle component that is detachably coupled to a second sleeve component having a distal end for positioning in bone and a flow channel extending through the first and second components. The system includes first and second thermal energy emitters for delivering energy to bone cement flows in a flow channel portion in the first and second components, respectively.

Some embodiments are directed to a method for controlling the viscosity of orthopedic bone cement during its curing in percutaneous vertebroplasty by allowing a controlled heating and/or cooling of the cement during the injection that leads to a dynamic and full control of the viscosity of the cement during the injection.

A method for preparing a bone including percutaneously forming a path to the cancellous bone using a multi-lumen cannula, providing a first passage to the cancellous bone in a central lumen and a second passage in a concentric outer lumen, introducing a rinsing fluid in one of the passages to rinse bone marrow and other soft tissue from the cancellous bone, and removing the rinsed bone marrow from the other passage. Also, a method for percutaneously treating a tissue affected by a lesion, including introducing a rinsing fluid in one of the passages to rinse the lesion and removing the rinsed lesion from the other of the passages. Also, a method of treating tissue with a lesion including introducing a thick flowable material through one lumen of the cannula and applying suction through the other lumen of the cannula.

A method of harvesting bone marrow, including percutaneously introducing a multi-lumen cannula into a cancellous bone, applying suction through a first passage defined in a first lumen of the cannula, injecting a thick flowable material into the bone from a second passage in a second lumen of the cannula, extruding the thick flowable material through a distal end of the cannula into the cancellous bone in order to displace the bone marrow and other bone fluids, the suction applied through the first passage providing a hydraulic force guiding the displaced bone marrow and collecting the displaced bone marrow for a therapeutic or diagnostic purpose. A thick flowable material for use in harvesting bone marrow in the cancellous portion of a bone and a method for percutaneously preparing a bone with a multi-lumen cannula and an inflatable device are also discussed.

A bone cement delivery system including a mixer, a reservoir for holding bone cement, a cannula that is connected to the reservoir and through which the bone cement is delivered into living tissue. A plunger that is advanced by a drive assembly, pushes the bone cement out of the delivery tube into the cannula for discharge from the cannula. A valve is located upstream of the cannula. A control unit regulates both drive assembly and the setting of the valve. The control unit is configured to, when deactivating the valve so as to stop the advancement of the plunger, close the valve. The closing of the valve reduces the extent to which the bone cement, which is under pressure continues to flow into and be discharged out of the cannula.

Dispensing unit for mixers of biphasic compounds, for dispensing a quantity of mixed biphasic compound through a channel of at least a mixing unit by means of at least a piston sliding inside at least a mixing chamber, wherein it includes at least a drive element for said piston which can be remotely controlled.

A bone cement mixing and delivery system including a mixer, a delivery device, and a flexible extension tube. A connector is attached to a distal end of the flexible tube. The connector includes a housing, a fitting and an enlarged knob. A spindle that extends through the housing connects the fitting to the knob so the fitting rotates with the knob. A cannula is connected to the mixing and delivery system by placing the cannula fitting adjacent the connector fitting. The knob is rotated to result in the like rotation of the connector fitting. This causes the complementary threading on the connector fitting and the cannula fitting to engage.

The invention comprises a system which determines the cure status of bone cement which is then used in making surgical decisions on the cement use and further comprises a system for aiding in securing an implant to a bone using a cured grout or bone cement. The system includes a device which comprises a frequency sensor joined to a circuit to monitor one or more frequency signals, and to an indicator that emits a signal in response to a current emitted to the circuit by the system while monitoring the state of cure. The invention also relates to surgical methods using the system.