Patent ID: 7153306
Filing Date: 2006-12-26
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: selecting a bone for treatment having cortical bone enclosing a cancellous bone volume; providing a cannula including a side wall defining an internal bore aligned along an axis, a distal region, an opening in the side wall, the opening extending partially about the side wall and being elongated along the axis and having a distal terminus, and a bone engaging structure on the distal region of the cannula spaced, at least in part, distally of the distal terminus of the opening to anchor the distal region in cortical bone; introducing the cannula distal region first into the bone; placing the bone engaging structure into engagement with an interior surface of the cortical bone to anchor the distal region in cortical bone; inserting an expandable structure through the internal bore of the cannula into registration with the opening; and expanding the expandable structure from within the internal bore through the opening in the side wall into contact with cancellous bone.