Systems and methods for treating bone using expandable bodies

摘要

A vertebral body is selected for treatment. The vertebral body has a cortical wall enclosing a cancellous bone volume. At least one maximum dimension for the cancellous bone volume is ascertained, and an expandable device is provided that has a predefined dimension when substantially expanded that is less than the maximum dimension. The expandable device is introduced into the vertebral body through a percutaneous access path while in an unexpanded condition. The expandable device is expanded while disposed within the cancellous bone volume from the unexpanded configuration toward the expanded configuration. An expansion barrier is provided in association with the expandable device that directs expansion of the expandable device in a desired direction to create a cavity in the cancellous bone volume.