US Patent 8066712 Systems for delivering bone fill material

The disclosure relates in certain embodiments to medical devices, systems and methods for use in osteoplasty procedures, such as vertebral compression fractures. One system for delivering a bone fill material to a bone includes an elongated introducer configured for insertion into a bone and having a channel sized to allow a flow of bone fill material therethrough. The introducer has at least one outlet opening in communication with the channel for delivering the bone fill material into the bone. A thermal energy emitter is coupled to the introducer and configured to apply thermal energy to the bone fill material flowing through the introducer. A sensor and a computer controller can be used to measure data about the bone fill material and to control certain aspects of the flow of bone fill material. A hydraulic pressure source may also be operatively coupled to the introducer and configured to apply a force on the bone fill material to provide a pressurized flow of bone fill material through the introducer. In certain embodiments, the system for use in osteoplasty procedures can include a cooling system that can be used to cool the bone fill material.