Bone treatment systems and methods
First Claim
1. A method of directing a flow of a bone fill material in a bone, comprising:
- providing a knit structure comprising a plurality of spaced apart conductive filaments and a plurality of openings;
introducing the knit structure and a volume of bone cement into a bone, wherein the plurality of openings in the knit structure at least partly direct flow of the volume of bone cement; and
applying electrical or electromagnetic energy to the plurality of spaced apart conductive filaments, wherein the plurality of spaced apart conductive filaments function as an electrode for altering the viscosity of the volume of bone cement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and instruments for treating an osteoporotic vertebral body or for treating a vertebral compression fracture. An exemplary method includes introducing an open knit structure together with a bone cement into a bone wherein the knit structure extends substantially throughout the interior of the cement volume. In one aspect of the invention, the bone cement volumes cures with the filament structure reinforcing the cement. In another aspect of the invention, the open knit structure is configured to direct flows of bone cement to apply forces for reducing a vertebral compression fracture. In another aspect of the invention, the system provides bone cement flows that extend through the knit structure thus allowing the cement to fully interdigitate with the cancellous bone.
126 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of directing a flow of a bone fill material in a bone, comprising:
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providing a knit structure comprising a plurality of spaced apart conductive filaments and a plurality of openings; introducing the knit structure and a volume of bone cement into a bone, wherein the plurality of openings in the knit structure at least partly direct flow of the volume of bone cement; and applying electrical or electromagnetic energy to the plurality of spaced apart conductive filaments, wherein the plurality of spaced apart conductive filaments function as an electrode for altering the viscosity of the volume of bone cement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of reducing a fracture in a bone, comprising:
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introducing a flowable material and a flow-directing knit structure into an interior of a bone; wherein the knit structure comprises conductive filaments, and wherein openings in the knit structure selectively direct flows to thereby retract cortical bone; and applying electrical energy to the conductive filaments, thereby applying energy to the flowable material. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of treating a bone, comprising the steps of:
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providing a knit structure having a plurality of conductive filament portions; introducing a volume of bone cement and the knit structure into a bone; coupling an energy source to the knit structure; and transmitting energy from the energy source to the knit structure thereby increasing the viscosity of the volume of bone cement, wherein the knit structure functions as at least one electrode. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification