Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A method comprising: selecting a bone for treatment having cortical bone enclosing a cancellous bone volume; providing a cannula including a side wall defining an internal bore aligned along an axis, a distal region, an opening in the side wall, the opening extending partially about the side wall and being elongated along the axis and having a distal terminus, and a bone engaging structure on the distal region of the cannula spaced, at least in part, distally of the distal terminus of the opening to anchor the distal region in cortical bone; introducing the cannula distal region first into the bone; placing the bone engaging structure into engagement with an interior surface of the cortical bone to anchor the distal region in cortical bone; inserting an expandable structure through the internal bore of the cannula into registration with the opening; and expanding the expandable structure from within the internal bore through the opening in the side wall into contact with cancellous bone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A method comprising: selecting a bone for treatment having cortical bone enclosing a cancellous bone volume; providing a cannula including a side wall defining an internal bore aligned along an axis, a distal region, an opening in the side wall, the opening extending partially about the side wall and being elongated along the axis and having a distal terminus, and a bone engaging structure on the distal region of the cannula spaced, at least in part, distally of the distal terminus of the opening to anchor the distal region in cortical bone; introducing the cannula distal region first into the bone; placing the bone engaging structure into engagement with an interior surface of the cortical bone to anchor the distal region in cortical bone; inserting an expandable structure through the internal bore of the cannula into registration with the opening; and expanding the expandable structure from within the internal bore through the opening in the side wall into contact with cancellous bone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein expanding the expandable structure compacts cancellous bone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein expanding the expandable structure forms a cavity in cancellous bone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 3 and further including flowing a volume of filling material into the cavity.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
146 words
A method comprising: selecting a bone for treatment having cortical bone enclosing a cancellous bone volume; providing a cannula including a side wall defining an internal bore aligned along an axis, a distal region, a distal opening in the distal region communicating with the internal bore to accommodate passage of a guide pin, and an opening in the side wall extending partially about the side wall and being elongated along the axis; introducing a guide pin into the bone; introducing the cannula distal region first into the bone by passing the guide pin through the distal opening and the bore; withdrawing the guide pin; inserting an expandable structure through the internal bore of the cannula into registration with the opening in the side wall; and expanding the expandable structure from within the internal bore through the opening in the side wall into contact with cancellous bone.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
146 words
A method comprising: selecting a bone for treatment having cortical bone enclosing a cancellous bone volume; providing a cannula including a side wall defining an internal bore aligned along an axis, a distal region, a distal opening in the distal region communicating with the internal bore to accommodate passage of a guide pin, and an opening in the side wall extending partially about the side wall and being elongated along the axis; introducing a guide pin into the bone; introducing the cannula distal region first into the bone by passing the guide pin through the distal opening and the bore; withdrawing the guide pin; inserting an expandable structure through the internal bore of the cannula into registration with the opening in the side wall; and expanding the expandable structure from within the internal bore through the opening in the side wall into contact with cancellous bone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 5 , wherein expanding the expandable structure compacts cancellous bone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 5 , wherein expanding the expandable structure forms a cavity in cancellous bone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 7 , and further including flowing a volume of filling material into the cavity.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
131 words
A method comprising: selecting a bone for treatment having cortical bone enclosing a cancellous bone volume; providing a cannula including a side wall defining an internal bore aligned along an axis, a distal end, and an opening in the side wall, the opening extending partially about the side wall and being elongated along the axis and including a distal terminus, the internal bore terminating at the distal terminus; introducing the cannula distal region first into the bone; inserting an expandable structure through the internal bore of the cannula into registration with the opening; expanding the expandable structure from within the internal bore through the opening in the side wall into contact with cancellous bone to form a cavity in cancellous bone; and flowing a volume of filling material into the cavity.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
131 words
A method comprising: selecting a bone for treatment having cortical bone enclosing a cancellous bone volume; providing a cannula including a side wall defining an internal bore aligned along an axis, a distal end, and an opening in the side wall, the opening extending partially about the side wall and being elongated along the axis and including a distal terminus, the internal bore terminating at the distal terminus; introducing the cannula distal region first into the bone; inserting an expandable structure through the internal bore of the cannula into registration with the opening; expanding the expandable structure from within the internal bore through the opening in the side wall into contact with cancellous bone to form a cavity in cancellous bone; and flowing a volume of filling material into the cavity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 9 , wherein expanding the expandable structure compacts cancellous bone.