US 11,701,233 B2
Flexible elongated chain implant and method of supporting body tissue with same
Dominique Messerli, Downingtown, PA (US)
Assigned to DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., Raynham, MA (US)
Filed by DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., Raynham, MA (US)
Filed on Dec. 8, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/115,777.
Application 17/115,777 is a continuation of application No. 15/040,217, filed on Feb. 10, 2016, granted, now 10,881,520.
Application 15/040,217 is a continuation of application No. 13/558,662, filed on Jul. 26, 2012, granted, now 9,289,240.
Application 13/558,662 is a continuation of application No. 11/633,131, filed on Dec. 1, 2006, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/810,453, filed on Jun. 2, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/753,782, filed on Dec. 23, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2021/0113346 A1, Apr. 22, 2021
Int. Cl. A61F 2/44 (2006.01); A61B 17/70 (2006.01); A61F 2/30 (2006.01); A61F 2/36 (2006.01); A61B 17/68 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 2/441 (2013.01) [A61B 17/68 (2013.01); A61B 17/7094 (2013.01); A61F 2/44 (2013.01); A61F 2/442 (2013.01); A61F 2/447 (2013.01); A61F 2/4455 (2013.01); A61F 2/4465 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00004 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00526 (2013.01); A61F 2/3609 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30593 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4415 (2013.01); A61F 2210/0004 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0003 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A spinal fusion method, comprising:
accessing a disc space through a first location located between two adjacent vertebral bodies, the disc space having a transverse plane;
inserting a curved guide into the disc space along the transverse plane; and
inserting a chain of biocompatible material along the curved guide into the disc space to distract the disc space, the chain of biocompatible material comprising a plurality of bodies having recessed flexible portions formed therebetween with an outer surface of the plurality of bodies contacting the curved guide during insertion, the chain of biocompatible material being inserted in a substantially linear configuration and flexing about the recessed flexible portions into a less linear configuration within the disc space;
wherein the chain of biocompatible material flexes about the recessed flexible portions to substantially fill an interior perimeter of the disc space.