SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING EXPANDABLE BODIES TO PUSH APART CORTICAL BONE SURFACES

摘要

This invention is systems, and methods to insert an expandable body (20) in a collapsed configuration into a space defined between cortical bone surfaces. The space can, e.g., comprise a fracture or an intervertebral space. The systems, and methods cause expansion of the expandable body within the space, thereby pushing apart the cortical bone surfaces (18) to, e.g., reduce the fracture or push apart adjacent vertebral bodies as part of a therapeutic procedure.