Balloon technologies for tissue repair
First Claim
1. A medical device comprising an inflatable balloon, wherein the balloon is inflated by an in situ polymerizable material.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A medical device containing an inflatable balloon structure for use in minimally invasive surgery and minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are described herein. The device is delivered by a catheter and expanded using gases, liquids or liquids that solidify in situ. The inflatable balloon may be constructed from a wide variety of materials and may be reinforced by supporting structures, when necessary. The device may form an endoprosthesis in a patient. In the preferred embodiment, the device is used in spinal fusion. Optionally, the device may also be used in combination with bone graft materials and bioactive factors.
-
Citations
14 Claims
- 1. A medical device comprising an inflatable balloon, wherein the balloon is inflated by an in situ polymerizable material.
-
8. A method to facilitate minimal invasive surgery in orthopedic applications comprising
(a) inserting a medical device comprising an inflatable balloon in a non-inflated state at a site in need thereof, and (b) inflating the balloon to a predetermined volume by polymerizing in situ a synthetic polymerizable material.
Specification