Systems for delivering bone fill material

Abstract

The present invention relates in certain embodiments to medical devices, systems and methods for use in osteoplasty procedures, such as vertebral compression fractures. One system for delivering a bone fill material to a bone includes an elongated introducer configured for insertion into a bone and having a channel sized to allow a flow of bone fill material therethrough. The introducer has at least one outlet opening in communication with the channel for delivering the bone fill material into the bone. A thermal energy emitter is coupled to the introducer and configured to apply thermal energy to the bone fill material flowing through the introducer. A hydraulic pressure source is operatively coupled to the introducer and configured to apply a force on the bone fill material to provide a pressurized flow of bone fill material through the introducer.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system for delivering a bone fill material to a vertebra, comprising:
 an elongated introducer configured for insertion into a vertebral body and for delivery of bone fill material into the vertebral body, the introducer defining a channel therethrough;   a stylet having a sharp tip, the stylet and introducer configured such that the stylet is to be positioned within the channel in the introducer during insertion of the introducer into the vertebral body and the stylet is to be removed from the channel prior to delivery of bone fill material into the vertebral body;   a container of bone fill material;   a piston positioned within the container to force bone fill material out of the container and through the introducer;   a thermal energy emitter configured to apply thermal energy to the bone fill material after it is ejected out of the container;   a handle having an electrical outlet for connecting a power source to the thermal energy emitter and having an inlet for connection with the container of bone fill material thereby providing communication between the channel and the container; and   a pressure source coupled to the container and configured to apply a force on the piston.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising an electrical cable detachably coupled to the handle at the electrical outlet via a male-female plug. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising an energy source coupled to the thermal energy emitter through the electrical cable. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is integrally formed with the introducer. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pressure source comprises a hydraulic pressure source coupled to the container and configured to apply a force on the bone fill material in the container to force bone fill material out of the container into the introducer. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a sensor to measure a parameter of the bone fill material. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the parameter comprises at least one of temperature, impedance, capacitance, conductivity, pressure, viscosity, a flow parameter, volume, reflectance, an optical parameter, a mechanical parameter, and an acoustical parameter. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a computer controller configured to receive data from the sensor and to control, based at least in part on the data, the thermal energy applied to the flow of bone fill material. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the computer controller is configured to control, based at least in part on the data, the force from the pressure source applied to the bone fill material, the computer controller thereby configured to control both the increase in viscosity of the bone fill material and the flow of bone fill material. 
     
     
         11 . A system for delivering a bone fill material to a bone, comprising:
 an elongated introducer configured for insertion into a bone, the introducer defining a channel sized to allow a flow of a bone fill material therethrough, the introducer having at least one opening in communication with the channel for delivering the bone fill material into the bone;   a stylet positionable within the channel of the introducer;   a container of bone fill material;   a piston within the container of bone fill material to transfer bone fill material to the introducer;   a thermal energy emitter configured to apply thermal energy to the bone fill material within the system;   a handle having a connection for electrically coupling a power source to the thermal energy emitter and having an inlet for receiving bone fill material from the container; and   a pressure source configured to apply a force on the bone fill material through the piston to provide a pressurized flow of bone fill material through the introducer.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising an electrical cable detachably coupled to the handle at the connection via a male-female plug. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the thermal energy emitter is disposed in the channel of the introducer proximally spaced from at least one opening of the introducer. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the handle is integrally formed with the introducer. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a sensor to measure a parameter of the bone fill material. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a computer controller configured to receive data from the sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the thermal energy emitter is selected from the group consisting of an electromagnetic energy emitter, a resistive heat emitter, a radiofrequency energy emitter, a light energy emitter, a microwave emitter, an inductive heat emitter and an ultrasound source. 
     
     
         18 . A system for delivering a bone cement into a bone, comprising:
 a cement introducer system having an introducer configured for insertion into a bone, the introducer defining a channel for carrying the bone cement, the introducer having at least one opening in communication with the channel for delivering the bone cement into the bone;   a stylet to be positioned within the channel in the introducer during insertion of the introducer into the bone and to be removed from the channel prior to delivery of bone fill material into the bone;   a container of bone fill material;   a piston within the container to force bone fill material out of the container and through the introducer;   a thermal energy emitter configured to apply thermal energy to the bone fill material within the system;   a handle having a connector that allows for releasable connection with an electrical connector coupled to an energy source and having an inlet for connection with the container of bone fill material thereby providing communication between the channel and the container; and   a pressure source coupled to the container and configured to apply a force on the piston.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the pressure source comprises a hydraulic pressure mechanism comprising a hydraulic line and the piston, the hydraulic pressure mechanism coupled to the cement introducer system and configured to hydraulically drive the piston by a liquid within the hydraulic line to apply a force on the bone cement and to eject bone cement from the cement introducer system. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure a parameter of the bone fill material that is within the system. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising the electrical connector coupled to the energy source.