초록 ▼

Methods of creating a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony structure and devices that may be used to perform the steps to create the curvilinear cavity. In one embodiment, a method of forming a curvilinear void in bony structure may include the steps of accessing a bony structure

Methods of creating a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony structure and devices that may be used to perform the steps to create the curvilinear cavity. In one embodiment, a method of forming a curvilinear void in bony structure may include the steps of accessing a bony structure with a cannula, inserting a distal end of a drill device through the cannula and into the bony structure, manipulating the distal end of the drill device to create a curvilinear void in the bony structure, enlarging the void by expansion of a balloon element mounted to the drill device, and deflating the balloon element and removing the drill device from the cannula.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of forming a curvilinear void in bony structure, the method comprising the steps of: accessing a bony structure with a cannula;inserting a distal portion of a curvilinear drilling device through the cannula and into the bony structure, wherein the drilling device comprises a flexible dri

1. A method of forming a curvilinear void in bony structure, the method comprising the steps of: accessing a bony structure with a cannula;inserting a distal portion of a curvilinear drilling device through the cannula and into the bony structure, wherein the drilling device comprises a flexible drill shaft assembly including a sharp cutting tip, a flexible rotatable drive shaft coupled to the tip, and a flexible, moveable and non-rotatable housing;manipulating the distal portion of the curvilinear drilling device to create a curvilinear void in the bony structure;enlarging the void by expansion of an expandable element mounted on the distal portion of the curvilinear drilling device; andcollapsing the expandable element and removing the drilling device from the cannula. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable element is expanded by fluid pressure. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of manipulating of the distal portion of the drilling device comprises a simultaneous rotation and curvilinear translation of the distal portion of the drilling device. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cannula is substantially straight. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the drilling device further comprises a locking element. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of: locking the drilling device into the cannula using the locking element prior to forming the void; andunlocking the drilling device from the cannula after forming the void and prior to removing the distal end of the drilling device. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the drilling device is manipulated in response to a rotation of an element at a proximal portion of the drilling device. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of reaming the void produced by at least one of drilling and expandable element expansion. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable element is a balloon. 10. A method of forming a curvilinear void in bony structure, the method comprising the steps of: accessing a bony structure;inserting a distal portion of a drilling device into the bony structure;manipulating the distal portion of the drilling device to create a curvilinear void in the bony structure;enlarging the void by expansion of an expandable element mounted on the distal portion of the curvilinear drilling device; andcollapsing the expandable element and removing the drilling device from the cannula,wherein the drilling device comprises: a handle;a flexible drill shaft assembly extending from the handle, comprising: a cutting tip located at a distal end of the flexible drill shaft assembly;a flexible rotatable drive shaft coupled to the tip; anda flexible, moveable and non-rotatable housing. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the expandable element is expanded by fluid pressure. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of manipulating of the distal portion of the drilling device comprises a simultaneous rotation and curvilinear translation of the distal portion of the drilling device. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of accessing a bony structure includes using a cannula. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the cannula is straight. 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the expandable element is a balloon. 16. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of reaming the void produced by at least one of drilling and expandable element expansion. 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the drilling device is manipulated in response to a rotation of an element at a proximal portion of the drilling device.