Patent ID: 8821505

Claim:
A method comprising: coupling a retainer to a cannula defining a longitudinal axis, the retainer comprising a base structure having a projection configured for disposal in an opening in a proximal end of the cannula, the opening being offset from the longitudinal axis, the base structure having gripping arms with gripping surfaces extending from the base and configured for engagement with a bone filler material delivery nozzle, the gripping surfaces being spaced apart by a distance D 2 , the bone filler material delivery nozzle comprising a proximal portion and an elongated portion, wherein the elongated portion comprises a plurality of spaced apart mating elements that are each in fluid communication with a passageway defined by an inner surface of the bone filler material delivery nozzle, wherein coupling the retainer to the cannula includes disposing the projection in the opening; placing the bone filler material delivery nozzle through the gripping surfaces, the bone filler material delivery nozzle having a diameter D 1 ; placing the bone filler material delivery nozzle in the cannula; securing the bone filler material delivery nozzle by use of the gripping arms relative to the cannula using the retainer by placing the bone filler material delivery nozzle between the gripping arms such that the gripping arms are disposed in two of the mating elements; and conveying bone filler material to a target location through the cannula using the bone filler material delivery nozzle, wherein the distance D 2 between the gripping surfaces is smaller than the diameter D 1 of the bone filler material delivery nozzle such that the gripping arms are configured to apply a gripping force to the bone filler material delivery nozzle.