US 12,109,127 B2
Implant inserter having a laterally-extending dovetail engagement feature
Thomas Gamache, Westport, MA (US); and Michael D. Sorrenti, Middleboro, MA (US)
Assigned to DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., Raynham, MA (US)
Filed by DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., Raynham, MA (US)
Filed on Jun. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/806,984.
Application 17/806,984 is a continuation of application No. 16/517,837, filed on Jul. 22, 2019, granted, now 11,382,768.
Application 16/517,837 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/364,280, filed on Feb. 1, 2012, granted, now 10,369,015, issued on Aug. 6, 2019.
Application 13/364,280 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/237,174, filed on Sep. 20, 2011, granted, now 11,529,241.
Application 13/364,280 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/237,233, filed on Sep. 20, 2011, abandoned.
Application 13/364,280 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/237,200, filed on Sep. 20, 2011, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/466,309, filed on Mar. 22, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/466,321, filed on Mar. 22, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/385,959, filed on Sep. 23, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2022/0304827 A1, Sep. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. A61F 2/46 (2006.01); A61B 17/16 (2006.01); A61B 17/80 (2006.01); A61B 17/88 (2006.01); A61F 2/44 (2006.01); A61B 17/02 (2006.01); A61B 17/17 (2006.01); A61F 2/30 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 2/4611 (2013.01) [A61B 17/1631 (2013.01); A61B 17/808 (2013.01); A61B 17/8875 (2013.01); A61F 2/4455 (2013.01); A61F 2/447 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0256 (2013.01); A61B 17/1757 (2013.01); A61B 17/80 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30387 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30507 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30578 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30593 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30823 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30904 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4627 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4629 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4635 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4687 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of inserting a bone fastener into a fusion cage, comprising the step of:
attaching a fastener head of the bone fastener to a distal end portion of a flexible bone fastener driver;
bending the distal end portion including coupling a pre-bent sleeve to the distal end portion so as to transition the distal end portion from a straight configuration to a curved configuration; and
inserting the bone fastener into a threaded throughhole of the fusion cage comprising a front wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a back wall, and top and bottom surfaces adapted for gripping opposed vertebral endplates, wherein the front wall comprises the threaded throughhole.