Surgical Instrumentation and Method for Treatment of a Spinal Structure

Abstract

Instrumentation and method for treatment of a spinal structure, comprising an elongate member including a deformable distal portion having an initial configuration for placement within the spinal structure and a deformed configuration wherein the distal portion is outwardly deformed to form a cavity in the spinal structure. The elongate member comprises a cannula member and an actuator member that is removably positioned within the cannula member and configured to transition the deformable distal portion from the initial configuration toward the deformed configuration. The actuator member is selectively removed from the cannula member to provide a passageway for delivery of a material into the cavity formed in the spinal structure.

1 . Instrumentation for treatment of the spine, comprising: an elongate member extending along a longitudinal axis and including a flexible and elastically deformable distal portion having an initial configuration for placement within a vertebral body and an elastically deformed configuration wherein said distal portion is outwardly deformed, said elongate member comprising a cannula member and an actuator member, said cannula member sized to extend into a vertebral body of the spine, said actuator member being removably positioned within said cannula member and configured to transition said deformable distal portion from said initial configuration toward said elastically deformed configuration by imposition of an axial compression force onto said deformable distal portion, said actuator member being selectively removed from said cannula member to provide a passageway for delivery of a material into the vertebral body. 
     
     
         2 . The instrumentation of  claim 1 , wherein said cannula member includes a distal end portion and wherein the distal end portion extends distally beyond the deformable distal portion in the elastically deformed configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The instrumentation of  claim 1  wherein the a cannula member includes a pointed tip. 
     
     
         4 . The instrumentation of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining element adapted to selectively prevent transitioning of said deformable distal portion from said initial configuration toward said deformed configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The instrumentation of  claim 1 , wherein said material comprises a flowable material. 
     
     
         6 . The instrumentation of  claim 5 , wherein said material comprises a settable material providing internal support to the cavity formed in the vertebral body. 
     
     
         7 . The instrumentation of  claim 6 , wherein said material comprises bone cement. 
     
     
         8 . The instrumentation of  claim 5 , wherein said elongate member includes a connector portion defining a passage in communication with said passageway in said cannula member, said connector portion adapted for coupling with a material delivery system to inject said flowable material through said passageway in said cannula member and into the cavity in the vertebral body. 
     
     
         9 . The instrumentation of  claim 8 , wherein said connector portion comprises a luer-type fitting. 
     
     
         10 . The instrumentation of  claim 8 , wherein said connector portion comprises a threaded fitting adapted for threading engagement with said material delivery system. 
     
     
         11 . The instrumentation of  claim 1 , wherein said axial compression force is provided by axial displacement of said actuator member relative to said deformable distal portion. 
     
     
         12 . The instrumentation of  claim 1 , wherein said imposition of said axial compression force onto said deformable distal portion results in axial compression of said deformable distal portion to outwardly buckle said deformable distal portion toward said elastically deformed configuration. 
     
     
         13 . Instrumentation for treatment of the spine, comprising: an elongate member extending along a longitudinal axis and including a deformable distal portion having an initial configuration for placement within a vertebral body of the spine and a deformed configuration wherein said distal portion is outwardly deformed, said elongate member comprising a cannula member and an actuator member, said cannula member sized to extend into the vertebral body, said actuator member being removably positioned within said cannula member and configured to transition said deformable distal portion from said initial configuration toward said deformed configuration, said actuator member being selectively removed from said cannula member to provide a passageway for delivery of a material into the vertebral body; and
 wherein relative displacement between said actuator member and said cannula member results in axial compression of said deformable distal end portion to transition said deformable distal end portion toward said deformed configuration.   
     
     
         14 . The instrumentation of  claim 13 , further comprising an actuator mechanism coupled between said actuator member and said cannula member to regulate said relative displacement therebetween and to generate a controlled magnitude of force against the vertebral body. 
     
     
         15 . The instrumentation of  claim 13 , further comprising a retaining element engaged between said actuator member and said cannula member to selectively prevent said relative displacement and transitioning of said deformable distal portion from said initial configuration toward said deformed configuration; and
 wherein disengagement of said retaining element from between said actuator member and said cannula member permits said relative linear displacement and transitioning of said deformable distal portion from said initial configuration toward said deformed configuration.   
     
     
         16 . Instrumentation for treatment of the spine, comprising:
 an actuator member extending along a longitudinal axis and including a flexible and elastically deformable distal portion having an initial configuration for insertion into a vertebral bone of the spine and a mechanically and elastically deformed configuration;   means for defining through passage in the vertebral bone for receipt of the actuator member;   means for mechanically deforming said distal portion from said initial configuration toward said mechanically and elastically deformed configuration by imposition of an axial compression force onto said deformable distal portion; and   means for delivering a material into the vertebral body through the means for defining through passage.   
     
     
         17 . The instrumentation of  claim 16 , further comprising means for selectively preventing transitioning of the deformable distal portion from the initial configuration toward the mechanically deformed configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The instrumentation of  claim 16 , further comprising means for selectively controlling said imposition of said axial compression force onto said deformable distal portion to generate a controlled magnitude of force against the vertebral bone. 
     
     
         19 . The instrumentation of  claim 16 , wherein said axial compression force is provided by relative axial displacement of said deformable distal portion. 
     
     
         20 . The instrumentation of  claim 16 , further comprising means for coupling said means for delivering to said means for defining through passage.