Flexible elongated chain implant and method of supporting body tissue with same

Abstract

Implants and methods for augmentation, preferably by minimally invasive procedures and means, of body tissue, including in some embodiments repositioning of body tissue, for example, bone and, preferably vertebrae are described. The implant may comprise one or more chain linked bodies inserted into the interior of body tissue. As linked bodies are inserted into body tissue, they may fill a central portion thereof and for example in bone can push against the inner sides of the cortical exterior surface layer, for example the end plates of a vertebral body, thereby providing structural support and tending to restore the body tissue to its original or desired treatment height. A bone cement or other filler can be added to further augment and stabilize the body tissue. The preferred implant comprises a single flexible monolithic chain formed of allograft cortical bone having a plurality of substantially non-flexible bodies connected by substantially flexible links.

1 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A system for treating the spine, comprising:
 at least one cannula including a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and an internal passageway, the distal end portion of the cannula being positionable at a desired location of spinal tissue and including a distal end portion opening in communication with the internal passageway;   an elongated guide member advanceable through the internal passageway and the distal end portion opening of the cannula so as to deploy a distal end portion of the guide member at the desired location while a proximal end portion of the guide member remains in the internal passageway of the cannula, the elongated guide member having a surface configuration and the distal end portion opening of the cannula being defined by an edge portion having a configuration that is cooperative with the surface configuration of the guide member to facilitate orientation of the elongated guide member during deployment from the cannula through the distal end portion opening;   an elongated implant separate from and advanceable along the elongated guide member through the internal passageway and the distal end portion opening of the cannula and configured so as to conform to the orientation of the guide member at the desired location; and   the distal end portion of the elongated guide member being retractable into the distal end portion opening and internal passageway of the cannula while allowing the implant to remain at the desired location.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the edge portion is configured to exert a force on the guide member when the cannula is rotated. 
     
     
         41 . A system for treating the spine, comprising:
 at least one cannula including a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and an internal passageway, the distal end portion of the cannula being positionable at a desired location of spinal tissue and including a distal end portion opening in communication with the internal passageway;   an elongated guide member advanceable through the internal passageway and the distal end portion opening of the cannula so as to deploy a distal end portion of the guide member at the desired location while a proximal end portion of the guide member remains in the internal passageway of the cannula, the elongated guide member having a surface configuration and the distal end portion opening of the cannula being defined by an edge portion having a configuration that is cooperative with the surface configuration of the guide member to facilitate orientation of the elongated guide member during deployment from the cannula through the distal end portion opening; and   an elongated implant separate from and advanceable along the elongated guide member through the internal passageway and the distal end portion opening of the cannula and configured so as to conform to the orientation of the guide member at the desired location.   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41  wherein the edge portion is configured to exert a force on the guide member when the cannula is rotated.