Systems and methods for treating a vertebral body through a posterior percutaneous access path

1 . A method comprising

establishing a posterior percutaneous access path to a vertebral body having a cortical wall enclosing a cancellous bone volume, and

placing an implant in the cancellous bone volume through the posterior percutaneous access path.

2 . A method according to claim 1

wherein placing the implant includes forming a cavity within the cancellous bone volume.

3 . A method according to claim 1

wherein placing the implant includes introducing a volume of bone filling material into the cancellous bone volume.

4 . A method according to claim 3

wherein the bone filling material comprises bone cement.

5 . A method according to claim 1

wherein the posterior-percutaneous access path traverses a pedicle.

6 . A method according to claim 1

wherein placing the implant includes expanding an expandable device in the cancellous bone volume.

7 . A method according to claim 6

wherein the expandable device expands by inflation.

8 . A method according to claim 6

wherein the expandable device comprises a balloon.

9 . A method comprising

establishing a posterior percutaneous access path to a vertebral body having a cortical wall enclosing a cancellous bone volume, the vertebral body having at least one cortical plate that is depressed due to fracture, and

moving the fractured cortical plate toward a desired anatomic position by access through the posterior percutaneous access path.

10 . A method according to claim 9

wherein moving the fractured cortical plate includes placing an implant in the cancellous bone volume through the posterior percutaneous access path.

11 . A method according to claim 9

wherein moving the fractured cortical plate includes expanding an expandable device in the cancellous bone volume.

12 . A method according to claim 11

wherein the expandable device expands by inflation.

13 . A method according to claim 11

wherein the expandable device comprises a balloon.

14 . A method according to claim 9

wherein moving the fractured cortical plate includes forming a cavity within the cancellous bone volume.

15 . A method according to claim 9

wherein moving the fractured cortical plate includes introducing a volume of bone filling material into the cancellous bone volume.

16 . A method according to claim 15

wherein the bone filling material comprises bone cement.

17 . A method according to claim 9

wherein the posterior percutaneous access path traverses a pedicle.

18 . A system comprising

first apparatus sized and configured to establish a posterior percutaneous access path to a vertebral body having a cortical wall enclosing a cancellous bone volume, and

second apparatus sized and configured to plac an implant in the cancellous bone volume through the posterior percutaneous access path.

19 . A system according to claim 18

wherein the second apparatus includes a tool for forming a cavity within the cancellous bone volume.

20 . A system according to claim 18

wherein the second apparatus includes a tool for introducing a volume of bone filling material into the cancellous bone volume.

21 . A system according to claim 18

wherein the second apparatus includes an expandable device.

22 . A system comprising

first apparatus sized and configured to establish a posterior percutaneous access path to a vertebral body having a cortical wall enclosing a cancellous bone volume, the vertebral body having at least one cortical plate that is depressed due to fracture, and

second apparatus sized and configured to move the fractured cortical plate toward a desired anatomic position by access through the posterior percutaneous access path.

23 . A system according to claim 22

wherein the second apparatus includes a tool for forming a cavity within the cancellous bone volume.

24 . A system according to claim 22

wherein the second apparatus includes a tool for introducing a volume of bone filling material into the cancellous bone volume.

25 . A system according to claim 22

wherein the second apparatus includes an expandable device.