Patent ID: 7001395
Filing Date: 2006-02-21
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for plugging a channel within a bone to stop a flow of bone cement through said channel, wherein said apparatus comprises: an inflatable structure; an insertion tool including a channel for filling said inflatable structure with a fluid; a core removably attaching said insertion tool to said inflatable structure; a shield including a plurality of coaxial shield structures, each extending outwardly around and along said inflatable structure, wherein each of said coaxial shield structures includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion and a number of flexible beam portions extending longitudinally along said inflatable structure between said distal end portion and said proximal end portion, wherein said flexible beam portions of said coaxial shield structures curve outwardly with inflation of said inflatable structure, with central portions of said flexible beam portions within each of said coaxial shield structures separating from one another, and with said central portions of said flexible beam portions of one of said coaxial shield structures extending outward between adjacent central portions of said flexible beam portions of another of said coaxial shield structures, wherein said shield is substantially more resistant to damage from sharp objects than said inflatable structure, wherein said elongated insertion tool is removably connected to said core, and wherein said elongated insertion tool includes a tool passageway for said fluid injected into said core passageway.