Patent Abstract:
A first tool establishes a percutaneous path into the vertebral body having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone. The vertebral body has at least one cortical plate that is depressed due to fracture. A source of bone filling material has a viscosity that resists extravazation into cancellous bone, and a second tool conveys the bone filling material through the percutaneous path to move the fractured cortical plate toward a desired anatomic position. A third tool can be provided that is sized and configured for introduction through the percutaneous path and including an operative element that conditions cancellous bone for the introduction of the bone filling material.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/789,643, filed 25 Apr. 2007, and entitled “Methods for Treating Fractured and/or Diseased and/or Weakened Bone,” which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/783,723, filed 20 Feb. 2004, and entitled “Methods and Devices for Treating Fractured and/or Diseased Bone,” which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/827,260, filed 5 Apr. 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,691), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/194,685, filed 5 Apr. 2000 (Expired), and which is also a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/346,618, filed 17 Jan. 2003, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/597,646, filed 20 Jun. 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,716,216), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/134,323, filed 14 Aug. 1998 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,734), each of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is also a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/958,600, filed 5 Oct., 2004, and entitled “Systems and Methods for Treating Fractured or Diseased Bone Using Expandable Bodies,” which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/754,451, filed 4 Jan. 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,719), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/871,114, filed 9 Jun. 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,110), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/659,678, filed 5 Jun. 1996 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,289), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/485,394, filed 7 Jun. 1995 (Abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/188,224, filed 26 Jan. 1994 (Abandoned), each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to devices and methods for treating fractured and/or diseased bone. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices and methods for repairing, reinforcing and/or treating fractured and/or diseased bone using various devices, including cavity-forming devices. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background 
         [0005]    Normal healthy bone is composed of a framework made of proteins, collagen and calcium salts. Healthy bone is typically strong enough to withstand the various stresses experienced by an individual during his or her normal daily activities, and can normally withstand much greater stresses for varying lengths of time before failing. However, osteoporosis or a host of other diseases, including such diseases as breast cancer, hemangiomas, osteolytic metastases or spinal myeloma lesions, as well as the long term excessive use of alcohol, tobacco and/or various drugs, can affect and significantly weaken healthy bone over time. If unchecked, such factors can degrade bone strength to a point where the bone is especially prone to fracture, collapse and/or is unable to withstand even normal daily stresses. 
         [0006]    Unfortunately, losses in bone strength are often difficult to discover until bone integrity has already been seriously compromised. For instance, the effects of osteoporosis are often not discovered until after a bone fracture has already occurred, at which time much of the patient&#39;s overall bone strength has typically weakened to dangerous levels. Moreover, as most bone development occurs primarily during childhood and early adulthood, long-term losses in bone strength are typically irreversible. In addition, many bone diseases, including osteoporosis, cancer, and other bone-related disorders, are not routinely curable at our current stage of medical development. 
         [0007]    For many individuals in our aging world population, undiagnosed and/or untreatable bone strength losses have already weakened these individuals&#39; bones to a point that even normal daily activities pose a significant threat of fracture. For example, when the bones of the spine are sufficiently weakened, the compressive forces in the spine can often cause fracture and/or deformation of the vertebral bodies. For sufficiently weakened bone, even normal daily activities like walking down steps or carrying groceries can cause a collapse of one or more spinal bones, much like a piece of chalk collapses under the compressive weight of a human foot. A fracture of the vertebral body in this manner is typically referred to as a vertebral compression fracture. Researchers estimate that at least 25 percent of all women, and a somewhat smaller percentage of men, over the age of 50 will suffer one or more vertebral compression fractures due to osteoporosis alone. In the United States, it is estimated that over 700,000 vertebral compression fractures occur each year, over 200,000 of which require some form of hospitalization. Other commonly occurring fractures resulting from weakened bones can include hip, wrist, knee and ankle fractures, to name a few. 
         [0008]    Fractures such as vertebral compression fractures often result in episodes of pain that are chronic and intense. Aside from the pain caused by the fracture itself, the involvement of the spinal column can result in pinched and/or damaged nerves, causing paralysis, loss of function, and intense pain which radiates throughout the patient&#39;s body. Even where nerves are not affected, however, the intense pain associated with all types of fractures is debilitating, resulting in a great deal of stress, impaired mobility and other long-term consequences. For example, progressive spinal fractures can, over time, cause serious deformation of the spine (“kyphosis”), giving an individual a hunched-back appearance, and can also result in significantly reduced lung capacity and increased mortality. 
         [0009]    Until recently, treatment options for vertebral compression fractures, as well as other serious fractures and/or losses in bone strength, were extremely limited—mainly pain management with strong oral or intravenous medications, reduced activity, bracing and/or radiation therapy, all with mediocre results. Because patients with these problems are typically older, and often suffer from various other significant health complications, many of these individuals are unable to tolerate invasive surgery. In addition, to curb further loss of bone strength, many patients are given hormones and/or vitamin/mineral supplements—again with mediocre results and often with significant side effects. 
         [0010]    Over the past decade, a technique called vertebroplasty has been introduced into the United States. Vertebroplasty involves the injection of a flowable reinforcing material, usually polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA—commonly known as bone cement), into a fractured, weakened, or diseased vertebral body. Shortly after injection, the liquid filling material hardens or polymerizes, desirably supporting the vertebral body internally, alleviating pain and preventing further collapse of the injected vertebral body. 
         [0011]    While vertebroplasty has been shown to reduce some pain associated with vertebral compression fractures, this procedure has certain inherent drawbacks. The most significant danger associated with vertebroplasty is the inability of the practitioner to control the flow of liquid bone cement during injection into a vertebral body. Although the location and flow patterns of the cement can be monitored by CT scanning or x-ray fluoroscopy, once the liquid cement exits the injection needle, it naturally follows the path of least resistance within the bone, which is often through the cracks and/or gaps in the cancellous and/or cortical bone. Moreover, because the cancellous bone resists the injection of the bone cement and small diameter needles are typically used in vertebroplasty procedures, extremely high pressures are required to force the bone cement through the needle and into the vertebral body. Bone cement, which is viscous, is difficult to inject through small diameter needles, and thus many practitioners choose to “thin out” the cement mixture to improve cement injection, which ultimately exacerbates the leakage problems. In a recent study where 37 patients with bone metastases or multiple myeloma were treated with vertebroplasty, 72.5% of the procedures resulted in leakage of the cement outside the vertebral body. Cortet B. et al., Percutaneous Vertebroplasty in Patients With Osteolytic Metastases or Multiple Myeloma (1998). Moreover, where the practitioner attempts to “thin out” the cement by adding additional liquid monomer to the cement mix, the amount of unpolymerized or “free” monomer increases, which can ultimately be toxic to the patient. 
         [0012]    Another drawback of vertebroplasty is due to the inability to visualize (using CT scanning or x-ray fluoroscopy) the various venous and other soft tissue structures existent within the vertebra. While the position of the needle within the vertebral body is typically visualized, the location of the venous structures within the vertebral body are not. Accordingly, a small diameter vertebroplasty needle can easily be accidentally positioned within a vein in the vertebral body, and liquid cement pumped directly into the venous system, where the cement easily passes out the anterior and/or posterior walls of the vertebrae through the anterior external venous plexus or the basivertebral vein. 
         [0013]    Another significant drawback inherent in vertebroplasty is the inability of this procedure to restore the vertebral body to a pre-fractured condition prior to the injection of the reinforcing material. Because the bone is fractured and/or deformed, and not repositioned prior to the injection of cement, vertebroplasty essentially “freezes” the bone in its fractured condition. Moreover, it is highly unlikely that a traditional vertebroplasty procedure could be capable of restoring significant pre-fracture anatomy—because bone cement flows towards the path of least resistance, any en-masse movement of the cortical bone would likely create gaps in the interior and/or walls of the vertebral body through which the bone cement would then immediately flow. 
         [0014]    A more recently developed procedure for treating fractures such as vertebral compression fractures and other bone-related disorders is known as Kyphoplasty™. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,969,888 and 5,108,404. In Kyphoplasty, an expandable body is inserted through a small opening in the fractured or weakened bone, and then expanded within the bone. This procedure compresses the cancellous bone, and desirably moves the fractured bone to its pre-fractured orientation, creating a cavity within the bone that can be filled with a settable material such as cement or any number of synthetic bone substitutes. In effect, the procedure “sets” the bone at or near its pre-fracture position and creates an internal “cast,” protecting the bone from further fracture and/or collapse. This procedure is of course suitable for use in various other bones as well. 
         [0015]    While Kyphoplasty can restore bones to a pre-fractured condition, and injected bone filler is less likely to leak out of the vertebral body during a Kyphoplasty procedure, Kyphoplasty requires a greater number of surgical tools than a vertebroplasty procedure, at an increased cost. Moreover, Kyphoplasty tools are typically larger in diameter than vertebroplasty tools, and thus require larger incisions and are generally more invasive. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The present invention overcomes many of the problems and disadvantages associated with current strategies and designs in medical procedures to repair, reinforce and/or treat weakened, diseased and/or fractured bone. 
         [0017]    One aspect of the invention provides systems and methods that include a first tool that establishes a percutaneous path into the vertebral body having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone. The vertebral body has at least one cortical plate that is depressed due to fracture. The systems and methods include a source of bone filling material that has a viscosity that resists extravazation into cancellous bone. The systems and methods include a second tool that conveys the bone filling material through the percutaneous path to move the fractured cortical plate toward a desired anatomic position. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the systems and methods also include a third tool that is sized and configured for introduction through the percutaneous path. The third tool includes an operative element that conditions cancellous bone for the introduction of the bone filling material. 
         [0019]    Other objects, advantages, and embodiments of the invention are set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part, will be obvious from this description, or may be learned from the practice of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a spine with a compression fracture in one vertebrae; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of a patient about to undergo surgery; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a lateral view, partially broken away and in section, of a lumbar vertebra depicting a compression fracture; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a coronal view of a lumbar vertebra; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5A  is a lateral view of a lumbar vertebra depicting a spinal needle inserted into the vertebral body; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5B  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 5A , with the stylet removed from the spinal needle; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5C  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 5B , with a cavity-forming device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention inserted into the vertebral body; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5D  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 5C , with the cavity-forming device inflated; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5E  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 5D , with the cavity-forming device deflated; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5F  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 5E , with the cavity-forming device removed from the vertebral body; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5G  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 5F , with a bone filler injected into the vertebral body; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5H  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 5G , with the spinal needle advanced into the cavity; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5I  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 5H , with a second bone filler injected into the vertebral body; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5J  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 5I , with additional bone filler injected into the vertebral body; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5K  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 5J , with additional bone filler injected into the vertebral body; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5L  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 5K , with the spinal needle removed from vertebral body; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of a cavity-forming device constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6B  is a close-up view of the distal end of the cavity-forming device of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7A  is a lateral view of a lumbar vertebra, depicting the cavity-forming device of  FIG. 6A  being inserted into the vertebra; 
           [0039]      FIG. 7B  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 7A , with the cavity-forming device deployed within the vertebra; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7C  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 7B , with the cavity-forming device withdrawn from the vertebra; 
           [0041]      FIG. 8A  is a lateral view of a lumbar vertebra, depicting an alternate procedure for treating a vertebral body in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 8B  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 8A , with a cavity-forming device inserted into the bone filler; 
           [0043]      FIG. 8C  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 8B , with the cavity-forming device expanded in the cavity; 
           [0044]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a cavity-forming device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 10  is a close-up view of the distal end of a cavity-forming device of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 11  is a close-up view of the distal end of a balloon catheter protruding from the distal end of a needle, depicting the inflation of the balloon material with an inflation medium; 
           [0047]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a cavity-forming device constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 13  is a side view of a cavity-forming device constructed in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a cavity-forming device constructed in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a cavity-forming device constructed in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 16A  is a lateral view of a lumbar vertebra, depicting an alternate procedure for treating a vertebral body in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0052]      FIG. 16B  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 16A , with bone filler injected into the vertebra; 
           [0053]      FIG. 16C  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 16B , with a cavity-forming device inserted into the vertebra; 
           [0054]      FIG. 16D  is a lateral view of the lumbar vertebra of  FIG. 16C , with the cavity-forming device expanded in the cavity; 
           [0055]      FIG. 17  is a side view of a cavity-forming device constructed in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0056]      FIG. 18  is a side view of a cavity-forming device constructed in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0057]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the cavity-forming device of  FIG. 18 , taken along line  19 - 19 ; and 
           [0058]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the cavity-forming device of  FIG. 18 , taken along line  20 - 20 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0059]    As embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention is directed to surgical methods for repairing, reinforcing and/or treating weakened, diseased and/or fractured bone. The present invention is further directed to various devices for facilitating such surgical methods. 
         [0060]      FIG. 1  depicts a typical human spine  1 , in which a compression fracture  10  has occurred in a lumbar vertebra  100 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , vertebra  100  has fractured, with the top and bottom plates  103  and  104  depressing generally towards the anterior wall  10  of the vertebra  100  and away from their pre-fracture, normally parallel orientation (indicated generally as parallel lines  90 ). 
         [0061]      FIG. 4  depicts a coronal (top) view of the vertebra of  FIG. 3 . Vertebra  100  includes a vertebral body  105 , which extends on the anterior (i.e. front or chest) side of the vertebra  100 . Vertebral body  105  is approximately the shape of an oval disk, with an anterior wall  10  and a posterior wall  261 . The geometry of the vertebral body  105  is generally symmetric. Vertebral body  105  includes an exterior formed from compact cortical bone  110 . The cortical bone  110  encloses an interior volume of reticulated cancellous, or spongy, bone  115  (also called medullar bone or trabecular bone). 
         [0062]    The spinal canal  150  is located on the posterior (i.e. back) side of each vertebra  100 . The spinal cord  151  passes through the spinal canal  150 . A vertebral arch  135  surrounds the spinal canal  150 . Left and right pedicles  120  of the vertebral arch  135  adjoin the vertebral body  105 . The spinous process  130  extends from the posterior of the vertebral arch  135 , as do the left and right transverse processes  125  and the mamillary processes  126 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 2  depicts a patient  50  prepared for disclosed methods of the present invention. These procedures can be performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis by a medical professional properly trained and qualified to perform the disclosed procedures. Desirably, the patient will be placed under general or local anesthetic for the duration of the surgical procedures. 
         [0064]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a surgical method comprises inserting an insertion device  350  (see  FIG. 5A ) percutaneously into the bone, such as a fractured vertebral body  105  through, preferably, a targeted area of the back, depicted as  60  in  FIG. 2 . The insertion device  350  may be any type and size of hollow instrument, preferably having a sharp end. In one preferred embodiment, the insertion device  350  comprises a hollow needle of approximately eleven gauge diameter. An eleven gauge needle is preferred for the procedure because it incorporates a hollow lumen of sufficient size to permit the passage of various instruments and materials, yet the overall size of the needle is small enough to minimize bone and tissue damage in the patient. It should be understood, however, that various other size needle assemblies, including needles of six to 14 gage, could be used with the devices and methods of the present invention, with varying results. In addition, various other access instruments, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,969,888, 5,108,404, 5,827,289, 5,972,015, 6,048,346 and 6,066,154, each of which are incorporated herein by reference, could be used in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, with varying results. 
         [0065]    The insertion device  350  is preferably comprised of a strong, non-reactive, and medical grade material such as surgical steel. If desired, the insertion device  350  is attached to a manipulating assembly which is comprised of a non-reactive and medical grade material including, but not limited to, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, Teflon, or surgical steel.  FIG. 5A  depicts a commercially available needle assembly typically used with various embodiments of the present invention, which are further described below. 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIG. 5A , an insertion device  350 , such as an eleven gauge biopsy needle (commercially available from Becton Dickinson &amp; Co of Franklin Lakes, N.J.) can be inserted through soft tissues of the back and into the vertebral body  105 . Generally, the approach for such a procedure will be transpedicular, although various other approaches, including lateral, extrapedicular and/or anterior approaches, could be used, depending upon the level treated and/or intervening anatomical features well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, the device  350  comprises a needle body  348  and a stylet  349 , as is well known in the art. During insertion of the device  350 , the location of the device  350  is desirably monitored using visualization equipment such as real-time X-Ray, CT scanning equipment  70  (see  FIG. 2 ), MRI, or any other monitoring equipment commonly used by those of skill in the art, including computer aided guidance and mapping equipment such as the systems commercially available from BrainLab Corporation or General Electric Corporation. 
         [0067]    In one preferred embodiment, the distal end  351  of the insertion device  350  is positioned in the vertebral body  105 , preferably at a location towards the posterior side of the vertebral body  105 . If desired, the distal end  351  could be positioned in various locations throughout the vertebral body  105 , including towards the anterior side. Once in position, the stylet  349  of the insertion device  350  may be removed, see  FIG. 5B , and a cavity-forming device  200  may be inserted through the shaft  348  and into the vertebral body  105 . See  FIG. 5C . The cavity-forming device  200 , which is desirably comprised of a biologically compatible and medically acceptable material, can be a small mechanical tamp, reamer, hole punch, balloon catheter (as described below) or any appropriate device which is capable of displacing cancellous bone. Once the cavity-forming device is positioned within the vertebral body  105 , it is used to displace cancellous bone  115 , thereby creating a cavity  170 . See  FIG. 5F . 
         [0068]    In one embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the cavity-forming device comprises a balloon catheter  200 . The balloon catheter  200  desirably extends across at least 20% of the vertebral body, but could extend greater or lesser amounts, depending upon the desired size of the cavity to be produced. In this embodiment, as the balloon catheter  201  is expanded, cancellous bone is displaced generally outward from the cavity  170  in a controlled manner, desirably forming a compressed-bone region  172  around a substantial portion of the outer periphery of the cavity  170 . 
         [0069]    The balloon catheter  200 , which will be described in more detail below, is sized or folded to fit through the hollow interior of the shaft  348  and into a vertebral body  105 . Once in a desired position within the vertebral body  105 , the balloon catheter  190  is filled with a pressurized filling medium  275  appropriate for use in medical applications including, but not limited to, air, nitrogen, saline or water. See  FIGS. 5D and 11 . In a preferred embodiment, the filling medium  275  is a radiopaque fluid (such as Conray® fluid available commercially from Mallinkrodt, Inc., of St. Louis, Mo.), which allows the physician to visualize the catheter  190  during inflation. If desired, alternate ways of expanding the catheter, including mechanical expanders, jacks, expanding springs and/or expanding/foaming agents, could be used, with varying results. 
         [0070]    In one embodiment, the catheter  201  is expanded to any appropriate volume which creates a cavity  170  within the vertebral body  105 . In a preferred embodiment, the catheter  201  is expanded to at least 0.20 cc in volume, but could be expanded to significantly greater sizes, such as 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 cc, depending upon bone quality and density. After cavity creation, the catheter  201  is deflated (see  FIG. 5E ) and removed from the vertebral body  105  and shaft  348  (see  FIG. 5F ). Bone filler  180  is introduced through the shaft  348  and into the vertebral body  105  using any type of plunger, extruder and/or feed line assembly  349  compatible with the needle body  348 . Once injection of bone filler is complete, the shaft  348  can be withdrawn. 
         [0071]    If desired, a portion of the balloon catheter  201  could be temporarily or permanently left within a vertebral body  105 . For example, after cavity formation and removal of the inflation medium, the deflated expanded section of the balloon catheter  201  could be refilled with bone filler  180  and left within the vertebral body  105 . Alternatively, the inflation medium  275  could comprise bone filler  180 . After the balloon catheter  201  is filled with such an inflation medium, at least a portion of the catheter  201  could be left permanently within the cavity  170 . In an alternate embodiment, the catheter  201  which is intended to remain with the cavity  170  could comprise a bio-absorbable material and/or fabric/mesh material as the expandable structure. 
         [0072]    In creating the cavity  170 , the inflation of the catheter  201  causes the expandable material  210  to press against the cancellous bone  115  which may form a compressed bone region or “shell”  172  along much of the periphery of the cavity  170 . This shell  172  will desirably inhibit or prevent bone filler  180  from exiting the cavity  170 , thereby inhibiting extravazation of the bone filler and/or facilitating pressurization of the bone filler  180 , if desired, within the cavity. As the pressure in the cavity  170  increases, the walls of the cavity  170  will desirably be forced further outward by the bone filler  180 , compressing additional cancellous bone within the vertebral body  105  and/or increasing the size of the cavity  170 . If sufficient pressure is available, and integrity of the shell  172  can be maintained without significant leakage of bone filler  180 , pressures capable of moving fractured cortical bone can be developed. 
         [0073]    In one embodiment of the present invention, after cavity formation, an amount of a material, such as a bone filler  180 , is introduced through the shaft  348  into the vertebral body  105  under low pressure. The amount of bone filler will desirably be more than the volume of the cavity  170 , however, less bone filler may be introduced with varying results. Once the cavity  170  is substantially filled, the continued introduction of bone filler  180  will desirably pressurize the bone filler  180  in the cavity  170  such that the increased pressure will cause at least a portion of the walls of the cavity to move outward, thereby enlarging the cavity  170  and further compressing cancellous bone and/or moving cortical bone. Desirably, introduction of the bone filler  180  will continue until bone filler leak from the vertebral body appears imminent, the cortical bone has regain its pre-fractured position and/or the practitioner determines that sufficient bone filler  180  has been injected into the bone. If desired, the physician can utilize the cavity-forming device to create additional cavities for bone filler, or the shaft  348  can be removed from the vertebral body to completed the procedure. 
         [0074]    The bone filler  180  could be any appropriate filling material used in orthopedic surgery, including, but not limited to, allograft or autograft tissue, hydroxyapatite, epoxy, PMMA bone cement, or synthetic bone substitutes such Osteoset® from Wright Medical Technology, medical grade plaster of paris, Skeletal Repair System (SRS®) cement from Norian Corporation, or Collagraft from Zimmer. As bone filler  180  is introduced into the vertebral body  105 , the introduction is desirably monitored by x-ray fluoroscopy, or any other appropriate monitoring device or method, to ensure that bone filler  180  does not flow outside of the vertebral body  105 . To facilitate visualization, the bone filler  180  may be mixed with a fluoroscopic agent, such as radio opaque barium sulfate. In another embodiment, the bone filler  180  could comprise a mixture of bone cement and a thixotropic material which desirably limits and/or prevents extravazation of the bone cement. 
         [0075]    In an alternate embodiment of the disclosed method, shown in  FIGS. 5G through 5L , a first bone filler  180  is introduced into the cavity  170 , the amount of first bone filler  180  being desirably less than or approximately equal to the volume of the cavity  170 . For example, if the balloon catheter  200  utilized to create the cavity  170  was inflated with 1.0 cc of inflation fluid, then less than or approximately 1.0 cc of bone filler  180  will initially be injected into the cavity  170 : Of course, if desired, an amount of first bone filler  180  greater than the cavity volume could be injected into the cavity. The shaft  348  is then re-positioned within the vertebral body  105 , see  FIG. 5H , with the distal end  351  of the device  350  desirably located within the bolus  400  of first bone filler  180  contained in the cavity  170 . As best shown in  FIG. 5I , a second amount of bone filler  182  is then injected into the vertebral body  105 , which desirably forces the first amount of bone filler  180  outward against the walls of the cavity  170 . Desirably, the first amount of bone filler  180  will resist extravazating out of the cavity  170  and will push outward against the walls of the cavity  170 , further compressing the cancellous bone  115  and/or increasing the size of the cavity  170 . Introduction of the second amount of bone filler  182  will desirably continue until bone filler leak from the vertebral body appears imminent, the cortical bone has regained its pre-fractured position, and/or the practitioner determines that sufficient bone filler  180  has been injected into the bone. If desired, the physician could reinsert a catheter  200  to create an additional cavity, or the shaft  348  can be removed to complete the procedure. 
         [0076]      FIGS. 8A through 8C  depict an alternate embodiment of the disclosed method, in which the practitioner introduces a first material, such as a bone filler  180 , into the cavity  170 , and subsequently inserts a cavity-forming device  200  into the bone. The cavity-forming device  200  is then expanded, and desirably compresses the bone filler  180  against the walls of the cavity, sealing any significant cracks and/or venous passages through which the cement will flow. In one further embodiment, a practitioner may wait to allow the first bone filler to harden partially or fully prior to removing the cavity-forming device and/or prior to introducing a second material, such as a bone filler. The second material (not shown) can subsequently be injected into the vertebral body with little fear of leakage. If desired, this method could be utilized whenever cement leakage appears imminent, and can be repeated multiple times until the practitioner determines that sufficient bone filler  180  has been injected into the bone. In addition, the practitioner could repeat this procedure until the cortical bone has regained its pre-fractured position. In an alternate embodiment, the practitioner could utilize a cavity-forming device prior to the introduction of the first bone filler, and then introduce the first bone filler into the cavity, subsequently follow one or more of the described methods. 
         [0077]    The first bone filler will desirably comprise a material that can be introduced into the cavity, but which will resist extravazation out of the cavity and/or vertebral body when the second bone filler is injected into the cavity. In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second bone fillers comprise bone cement, with the first bone cement being more resistant to extravazation than the second bone cement. For example, the ingredients of the first bone cement could be specifically tailored such that the first bone cement cures faster than the second bone cement. Alternatively, the first bone cement could be prepared and/or introduced into the vertebral body before the second bone cement, allowing the first bone cement to partially or fully cure before the second bone cement. Alternatively, the curing and/or hardening of the first bone cement could be accelerated (by applying heat, for example) or curing and/or hardening of the second bone cement could be retarded (by cooling, for example). In another embodiment, the first and second bone fillers comprise bone cement, with the first bone cement desirably being more viscous than the second bone cement. In another alternate embodiment, the first bone filler comprises an expandable structure, such as a stent. 
         [0078]    In another embodiment, the first bone filler comprises a material more viscous than the second bone filler, the first and second bone fillers comprising different materials. In another embodiment, the first bone filler comprises a material which is more resistant to extravazation into the cancellous bone than the second bone filler. In another embodiment, the first bone filler comprises a material having particles generally larger than particles in the second bone filler. In a further embodiment, the particles of the first bone filler are generally larger than the average pore size within the cancellous bone. In another embodiment, the first bone filler comprises a settable material, such as a two-part polyurethane material or other curable bio-material. 
         [0079]      FIGS. 16A through 16D  depict an alternate embodiment of the disclosed method, in which a first material, such as a bone filler  180 , is initially introduced into the cancellous bone  115  of a human bone, such as a vertebral body  105 . An expandable structure  210 , such as that found at the distal end of a balloon catheter  200 , is subsequently inserted into the vertebral body  105 . The expandable structure  210  is then expanded, which displaces the bone filler  180  and/or cancellous bone  115 , creating a cavity  170  within the vertebral body  105 . In one embodiment, the expansion of the expandable structure  210  forces the bone filler  180  further into the cancellous bone  115 , and/or further compresses cancellous bone. To minimize bone filler  180  leakage, the bone filler may be allowed to partially or completely harden prior to expansion of the expandable structure  210 . Alternatively, the expandable structure  210  may be expanded, and the bone filler  180  allowed to partially or completely harden around the expandable structure  210 . In either case, a second material, optionally additional bone filler, may be introduced into the cavity  170 . In one embodiment, the second material is a material which supports the bone in a resting position. This method may be utilized whenever cement leakage appears imminent, and may be repeated multiple times until the practitioner determines that sufficient amounts and varieties of material have been introduced into the bone. Alternatively, the practitioner could halt introduction of filler material when the cortical bone regains or approximates its pre-fractured position. 
         [0080]    By creating cavities and/or preferred flowpaths within the cancellous bone, the present invention obviates the need for extremely high pressure injection of bone filler into the cancellous bone. If desired, the bone filler could be injected into the bone at or near atmospheric and/or ambient pressures, or at pressures less than approximately 400 pounds per square inch, using bone filler delivery systems such as those described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/134,323, which is incorporated herein by reference. Thus, more viscous bone fillers (such as, for example, thicker bone cement) can be injected into the bone under low pressures (such as, for example, exiting the delivery device at a delivery pressure at or near ambient or atmospheric pressure), reducing opportunities for cement leakage and/or extravazation outside of the bone. 
       Cavity-Forming Devices 
       [0081]    The present invention also includes cavity-forming devices constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosed invention. In one embodiment, the cavity-forming device comprises a balloon catheter  201 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11 . The catheter comprises a hollow tube  205 , which is desirably comprised of a medical grade material such as plastic or stainless steel. The distal end  206  of the hollow tube  205  is surrounded by an expandable material  210  comprised of a flexible material such as commonly used for balloon catheters including, but not limited to, metal, plastics, composite materials, polyethylene, mylar, rubber or polyurethane. One or more openings  250  are disposed in the tube  205  near the distal end  206 , desirably permitting fluid communication between the hollow interior of the tube  205  and the lumen formed between the tube  205  and the expandable structure  210 . A fitting  220 , having one or more inflation ports  222 ,  224 , is secured to the proximal end  207  of the tube  205 . In this embodiment, once the catheter  201  is in its desired position within the vertebral body  105 , an inflation medium  275  is introduced into the fitting  220  through the inflation port  222 , where it travels through the fitting  220 , through the hollow tube  205 , through the opening(s)  250  and into the lumen  274  between the expandable structure  210  and the hollow tube  205 . As injection of the inflation medium  275  continues, the pressure of the inflation medium  275  forces the expandable structure  210  away from the hollow tube  205 , inflating it outward and thereby compressing cancellous bone  115  and forming a cavity  170 . Once a desired cavity size is reached, the inflation medium  275  is withdrawn from the catheter  200 , the expandable structure collapses within the cavity  170 , and the catheter  200  may be withdrawn. 
         [0082]    For example, a balloon catheter  201  constructed in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, suitable for use with an 11-gauge needle, would comprise a hollow stainless steel hypodermic tube  205 , having an outer diameter of 0.035 inches and a length of 10.75 inches. One or more openings  250  are formed approximately 0.25 inches from the distal end of the tube  205 . In a preferred embodiment, the distal end  206  of the hollow tube  205  is sealed closed using any means well known in the art, including adhesive (for example, UV 198-M adhesive commercially available from Dymax Corporation—cured for approximately 15 minutes under UV light). 
         [0083]    In one embodiment, the hollow tube  205  is substantially surrounded by an expandable structure  210  comprising an extruded tube of polyurethane (for example, TEXIN® 5290 polyurethane, available commercially from Bayer Corporation). In one embodiment, the polyurethane tube has an inner diameter of 0.046 inches, an outer diameter of 0.082 inches, and a length of 9½ inches. The distal end of the polyurethane tube is bonded to the distal end  206  of the hollow tube  205  by means known in the art, such as by a suitable adhesive (for example, UV  198 -M adhesive). Alternatively, the polyurethane tube may be heat sealed about the distal end  206  of the hollow tube  205  by means well known in the art. A ¾ inch long piece of heat shrink tubing  215  (commercially available from Raychem Corporation), having a 3/16 inch outer diameter, may be secured around the proximal end of the polyurethane tubing. In one embodiment, the proximal end of the hollow tubing  205  is inserted into the fitting  220  and the heat shrink tubing  215  is desirably bonded into the fitting  220  using a suitable adhesive known in the art, such as UV 198-M. The fitting  220 , which may be a Luer T-fitting, commercially available from numerous parts suppliers, may be made of any appropriate material known to those of skill in the art. The fitting  220  comprises one or more ports  222 ,  224  for attachment to additional instruments, such as pumps and syringes (not shown). If desired, the hollow tube  205  can similarly be bonded into the fitting  220  using a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the expandable structure  210  could be significantly shorter than the hollow tube  205  and be bonded at its distal end  206  and its proximal end  209  to the hollow tube  205 . 
         [0084]    The hollow tube  205  and one or more openings  250  facilitate the withdrawal of inflation medium from the catheter during the disclosed procedures. When a catheter is deflated, the expandable structure  210  will normally collapse against the tube  205 , which can often seal closed the lumen (in the absence of at least one secondary withdrawal path) and inhibit further withdrawal of inflation medium from the expanded structure  210  of a catheter. However, in an embodiment of the disclosed invention, the one or more openings  250  near the distal end of the tube  205  allow inflation medium  275  to be drawn through the hollow hypodermic tube  205 , further deflating the expandable structure  210 . The strong walls of the hollow hypodermic tube  205  resist collapsing under the vacuum which evacuates the inflation medium, maintaining a flowpath for the inflation medium and allowing the inflation medium to be quickly drawn out of the catheter, which desirably permits deflation of the catheter in only a few seconds. 
         [0085]    In the disclosed embodiment, as the catheter  201  is inflated, the inflation medium  275  will typically seek to fill the entire lumen between the expandable structure  210  and the hollow tube  205 , thus expanding the catheter  201  along, the entire length of the expandable structure  210 . However, because much of the catheter  201  is located within the lumen of the shaft  348 , with the distal end  206  of the catheter  201  extending into the vertebral body  105 , the shaft  348  will desirably constrain expansion of the expandable structure  210 , causing the expandable structure  210  to expand primarily at the distal end  206  of the catheter  200 . Desirably, further insertion or withdrawal of the catheter  201  will alter the amount of the expandable structure  210  extending from the distal end of the shaft  348 , thereby increasing or decreasing the length of the expandable structure  210  that is free to expand within the vertebral body  105 . By choosing the amount of catheter  201  to insert into the vertebral body  105 , the practitioner can alter the length of the expandable structure, and ultimately the size of the cavity  170  created by the catheter  201 , during the surgical procedure. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments can obviate and/or reduce the need for multiple catheters of varying lengths. If desired, markings  269  (see  FIG. 9 ) can be placed along the proximal section of the catheter which correspond to the length of the catheter  201  extending from the shaft  348 , allowing the practitioner to gauge the size of the expandable structure  210  of the catheter  200  within the vertebral body  105 . Similarly, in an alternate embodiment as disclosed below, the cavity-forming device  201  could incorporate markings corresponding to the length of the bristles  425  extending beyond the tip of the shaft  348 . 
         [0086]    In an alternate embodiment, shown in  FIG. 13 , the length of an expandable section  211  of the catheter can be further constrained by securing and/or adhering the expandable structure  210  at a secondary location  214  along the hollow tube  205 , thereby limiting expansion beyond the secondary location  214 . For example, if a desired maximum length of the expandable section  211  were 3 inches, then the expandable structure  210  could be secured to the hollow tube  205  at a secondary location  214  approximately three inches from the distal end  206  of the hollow tube  205 . This arrangement would desirably allow a practitioner to choose an expanded length of the expandable section  211  of up to three inches, while limiting and/or preventing expansion of the remaining section  203  of the catheter  201 . This arrangement can also prevent unwanted expansion of the portion  202  of the catheter extending out of the proximal end  191  of the shaft body  348  (see  FIG. 5C ). 
         [0087]    As previously noted, in the disclosed embodiment, the expandable structure is desirably secured to the distal end of the hollow tube, which will facilitate recovery of fragments of the expandable structure  210  if the expandable structure  210  is torn or damaged, such as by a complete radial tear. Because the hollow tube  205  will desirably remain attached to the fragments (not shown) of the expandable structure  210 , these fragments can be withdrawn from the vertebral body  105  with the hollow tube  205 . In addition, the distal attachment will desirably prevent and/or reduce significant expansion of the expandable structure  210  along the longitudinal axis of the hollow tube  205 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 17  depicts a cavity-forming device  300  constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Because many of the features of this embodiment are similar to embodiments previously described, like reference numerals will be used to denote like components. In this embodiment, the hollow tube  205  extends through the fitting  220 , such as a t-shaped fitting, and is secured to a cap  310 . In a preferred embodiment, the hollow tube  205  is capable of rotation relative to the fitting  220 . If desired, a seal (not shown), such as a silicone or teflon o-ring, can be incorporated into the proximal fitting  222  to limit and/or prevent leakage of inflation medium past the hollow tube  205 . 
         [0089]    In use, a cavity-forming device  300  compresses cancellous bone and/or forms a cavity in a manner similar to the embodiments previously described. However, once the cavity is formed and withdrawal of the device  300  is desired, the cap  310  can be rotated, twisting the expandable material  210  relative to the fitting  220  and drawing the expandable structure  210  against the hollow tube  205 , desirably minimizing the overall outside diameter of the expandable portion of the device  300 . The device  300  can then easily be withdrawn through the shaft  348 . Even where the expandable structure  210  has plastically deformed, or has failed in some manner, the present embodiment allows the expandable structure  210  to be wrapped around the hollow tube  205  for ease of withdrawal and/or insertion. Alternatively, the hollow tube  205  may be capable of movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the fitting  220 , which would further stretch and/or contract the expandable structure  210  against the hollow tube  205 . 
         [0090]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  depict a cavity-forming device  410  constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Cavity-forming device  410  comprises a shaft  420  which is desirably sized to pass through the shaft  348  of an insertion device  350 . A handle assembly  415 , which facilitates manipulation of the cavity-forming device  410 , is secured to the proximal end  412  of the shaft  420 . One or more wires or “bristles”  425  are secured to the distal end  423  of the shaft  420 . The bristles  425  can be secured to the shaft  420  by welding, soldering, adhesives or other securing means well known in the art. Alternatively, the bristle(s)  425  can be formed integrally with the shaft  420 , or can be etched from a shaft using a laser or other means well known in the art. The bristles and shaft may be formed of a strong, non-reactive, and medical grade material such as surgical steel. In one embodiment, the bristles  425  extend along the longitudinal axis of the shaft  425 , but radiate slightly outward from the shaft axis. In this manner, the bristles  425  can be collected or “bunched” to pass through the shaft  348 , but can expand or “fan” upon exiting of the shaft  348 . If desired, the bristles can be straight or curved, to facilitate passage through the cancellous bone  115 . In addition, if desired, one or more of the bristles  425  may be hollow, allowing a practitioner to take a biopsy sample of the cancellous bone during insertion of the device  410 . 
         [0091]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the cavity-forming device  410  can desirably be inserted through a shaft  348  positioned in a targeted bone, such as a vertebral body  105 . As the bristles  425  enter the cancellous bone  115 , the bristles  425  will desirably displace the bone  115  and create one or more cavities  426  or preferred flowpaths in the vertebral body. If desired, a practitioner can withdraw the bristles  425  back into the shaft  348 , reposition the cavity-forming device  410  (such as by rotating the device  410 ), and reinsert the bristles  425 , thereby creating additional cavities in the cancellous bone  115 . After removal of the cavity-forming device  410 , a material, such as a bone filler (not shown), may be introduced through the shaft  348 . The bone filler will desirably initially travel through the cavities  426  created by the bristles  425 . If desired, a practitioner may interrupt introduction of the bone filler and create additional cavities by reinserting the cavity-forming device  410 . In addition, in the event bone filler leakage occurs or is imminent, a practitioner can interrupt bone filler injection, create additional cavity(ies) as described above, wait for the introduced/leaking bone filler to harden sufficiently to resist further extravazation, and then continue introduction of bone filler. As previously described, the bone filler could comprise many different materials, or combinations of materials, with varying results. 
         [0092]      FIG. 14  depicts a cavity-forming device  500  constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The cavity-forming device  500  comprises a shaft  520  which is sized to pass through the shaft  348  of an insertion device  350 . A handle assembly  515 , which facilitates manipulation of the cavity-forming device  500 , is secured to the proximal end  512  of the shaft  520 . The shaft  520  of the cavity-forming device  500  is desirably longer than the shaft  348  of the insertion device  350 . The distal end  525  of the shaft  520  can be beveled (not shown) to facilitate passage through cancellous bone  115 , or can be rounded or flattened to minimize opportunities for penetrating the anterior wall  10  of the vertebral body  105 . In addition, if desired, the distal  525  end of the shaft  520  could be hollow (not shown), allowing the practitioner to take a biopsy sample of the cancellous bone  115  during insertion of the device  500 . 
         [0093]      FIG. 15  depicts a cavity-forming device  600  constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Cavity-forming device  600  comprises a shaft  620  which is sized to pass through the shaft  348  of an insertion device  350 . A handle assembly  615 , which facilitates manipulation of the cavity-forming device  600 , is secured to the proximal end  612  of the shaft  620 . The shaft  620  is desirably longer than the shaft  348  of insertion device  350 . The distal end  625  of the shaft  620  can be beveled (not shown) to facilitate passage through cancellous bone  115 , or can be rounded or flattened to minimize opportunities for penetrating the anterior wall  10  of the vertebral body  105 . In this embodiment, the distal end  625  of the device  600  incorporates drill threads  627  which can facilitate advancement of the device  600  through cancellous bone  115 . In addition, if desired, the distal  625  end of the shaft  620  could be hollow, allowing the practitioner to take a biopsy sample of the cancellous bone  115  during insertion of the device  600 . 
         [0094]    After removal of the device(s), bone filler (not shown) may be introduced through the shaft  348 . Desirably, the bone filler will initially travel through the cavity(ies) created by the device(s). If desired, a practitioner can interrupt introduction of bone filler and create additional cavity(ies) by reinserting the device(s). In addition, in the event bone filler leakage occurs or is imminent, the practitioner can interrupt bone filler introduction, create additional cavity(ies) as described above, wait for the introduced/leaking bone filler to harden sufficiently, and then continue introducing bone filler. As previously described, the bone filler could comprise many different materials, or combinations of materials, with varying results. 
         [0095]      FIGS. 18-20  depicts a cavity-forming device  600   a  constructed in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the present invention. Because many of the components of this device are similar to those previously described, similar reference numerals will be used to denote similar components. Cavity-forming device  600   a  comprises a shaft  620   a  which is sized to pass through the shaft  348  of an insertion device  350 . A handle assembly  615   a , which facilitates manipulation of the cavity-forming device  600   a , is secured to the proximal end  612   a  of the shaft  620   a . The shaft  620   a  is desirably longer than the shaft  348  of insertion device  350 . The distal end  625   a  of the shaft  620   a  can be rounded or beveled to facilitate passage through cancellous bone  115 , or can be or flattened to minimize opportunities for penetrating the anterior wall  10  of the vertebral body  105 . 
         [0096]    An opening or window  700  is desirably formed in the shaft  620   a . As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , an expandable structure  710  is located at least partially within the shaft  620   a , desirably at a position adjacent the window  700 . Upon introduction of inflation fluid through a lumen extending through the shaft  620   a , the expandable structure  710  expands and at least a portion of the expandable structure  710  will extend out of the shaft  620   a  through the window  700 . Desirably, as the structure continues to expand, the expandable structure  710  will “grow” (P 1  to P 2  to P 3  in  FIG. 20 ) through the window  700 , thereby compacting cancellous bone, creating a cavity and/or displacing cortical bone. Upon contraction of the expandable structure  710 , most of the expandable structure  710  will desirably be drawn back into the shaft  620   a  for removal of the tool from the vertebral body. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the material comprising the expandable structure  710  will plastically deform as it expands. 
         [0097]    The expandable structure  710  may be comprised of a flexible material common in medical device applications, including, but not limited to, plastics, polyethylene, mylar, rubber, nylon, polyurethane, metals or composite materials. Desirably, the shaft  620   a  will comprise a material that is more resistant to expansion than the material of the expandable structure  710 , including, but not limited to, stainless steel, ceramics, composite material and/or rigid plastics. In an alternate embodiment, similar materials for the expandable structure  710  and shaft  620   a  may be used, but in different thickness and/or amounts, thereby inducing the expandable structure to be more prone to expansion than the shaft  620   a  material. The expandable structure  710  may be bonded directly to the shaft  620   a  by various means well known in the art, including, but not limited to, means such as welding, melting, gluing or the like. In alternative embodiments, the expandable structure may be secured inside or outside of the shaft  620   a , or a combination thereof. 
         [0098]    As previously noted, any of the cavity-forming devices  500 ,  600  and  600   a  may be inserted through a shaft  348  positioned in a targeted bone, such as a vertebral body  105 . As the device(s) enter the cancellous bone  115 , they will desirably displace the bone  115  and create one or more cavities in the vertebral body. If desired, the physician can withdraw the device(s) back into the shaft  348  and reinsert as necessary to create the desired cavity(ies) in the cancellous bone  115 . 
         [0099]    In the embodiment of a cavity-forming device of  FIGS. 18-20 , the cavity-forming device  600   a  may be utilized without an associated insertion device. In such a case, the cavity-forming device desirably will incorporate a sharpened distal tip capable of penetrating the soft tissues and cortical/cancellous bone of the vertebral body. If desired, the distal tip can be hollow or a solid construct. Similarly, the window may extend around more or less of the periphery of the shaft  620   a , depending upon the size and configuration of the expandable structure and the desired strength of the cavity-forming device. 
         [0100]    By creating one or more cavities within the cancellous bone  115 , the cavity-forming devices of the present invention desirably create preferred flowpaths for the bone filler  180 . In addition, the cavity-forming devices can also desirably close and/or block other natural flowpaths out of the cavity, such as veins and/or cracks in the cancellous bone. Moreover, methods and devices disclosed herein can be used to manipulate bone filler already introduced into the bone. Thus, the present invention reduces opportunities for cement leakage outside of the vertebral body and/or improves the distribution of bone filler throughout significant portions of the vertebral body. In addition, the creation of cavities and desired flowpaths described in the present invention permits the placement of biomaterial more safely, under greater control and under lower pressures. 
         [0101]    In addition to the specific uses described above, the cavity-forming devices and methods described herein would also be well-suited for use in treating and/or reinforcing weakened, diseased and/or fractured bones and other organs in various locations throughout the body. For example, the disclosed devices and methods could be used to deliver reinforcing materials and/or medications, such as cancer drugs, replacement bone cells, collagen, bone matrix, demineralized calcium, and other materials/medications, directly to a fractured, weakened and/or diseased bone, thereby increasing the efficacy of the materials, reinforcing the weakened bone and/or speed healing. Moreover, injection of such materials into one bone within a body could permit the medication/material to migrate and/or be transported to other bones and/or organs in the body, thereby improving the quality of bones and/or other organs not directly injected with the materials and/or medications. 
         [0102]    Other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. All documents referenced herein are specifically and entirely incorporated by reference. The specification and examples should be considered exemplary only with the true scope and spirit of the invention indicated by the following claims. As will be easily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, variations and modifications of each of the disclosed embodiments can be easily made within the scope of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0