Systems and methods for treating fractured or diseased bone using expandable bodies

Abstract

Systems and methods treat fractured or diseased bone by deploying more than a single therapeutic tool into the bone. In one arrangement, the systems and methods deploy an expandable body in association with a bone cement nozzle into the bone, such that both occupy the bone interior at the same time. In another arrangement, the systems and methods deploy multiple expandable bodies, which occupy the bone interior volume simultaneously. Expansion of the bodies form cavity or cavities in cancellous bone in the interior bone volume.

1 . A system for treating a vertebral body having an interior voume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone comprising 
 a first access tool sized and configured to establish a first percutaneous access path into the interior volume of the vertebral body,    a second access tool sized and configured to establish a second percutaneous access path to the interior volume of the same vertebral body, the second access path being different than the first access path,    a void forming tool sized and configured to be introduced through a selected one or more of the first and second first access tools into the interior volume to form a void in the cancellous bone.    
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the void forming tool is introduced through one of the first and second access tools and forms a first void in the cancellous bone, and 
 further including a second void forming tool sized and configured to be introduced through the other one of the first and second access tools into the interor volume to form a second void in the cancellous bone different than the first void.    
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1   further including a tool sized and configured for passage into at least one of the first and second access tools to deliver a filling material into the respective first or second void.    
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3   wherein the filling material provides structural support for the vertebral body.    
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the void forming tool comprises an expandable body.    
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5   wherein the expandable body is inflatable.    
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the void forming tool is sized and configured to compact cancellous bone.    
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein the void forming tool is sized and configured to exert force upon cortical bone.    
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1   wherein at least one of the first and second access tools comprises a cannula.    
     
     
         10 . A system as in  claim 1   wherein the void forming tool is carried by an elongate shaft sized and configured to pass through the respective first or second access tool.