Instruments and methods for tensioning a spinal tether

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10842541-B2
Application number	US-201816229094-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 21, 2018
Priority date	Aug 21, 2007
Publication date	Nov 24, 2020
Grant date	Nov 24, 2020

Abstract

Various methods and devices are provided for tensioning a tether. In one embodiment, a tether tensioning device is provided and includes an elongate shaft adapted to be positioned adjacent to a bone anchor implanted in bone, and a tensioning mechanism pivotally associated with the elongate shaft and adapted to couple to a tether seated across the bone anchor and to pivot relative to the elongate shaft to apply a tensioning force to the tether.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of applying a tensioning force to a tether extending along a spinal column, comprising:
coupling a tether seated across a bone anchor implanted in bone to a tensioning arm pivotally associated with an elongate shaft; and
pivoting the tensioning arm from a first side of a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft to a second side of the longitudinal axis to apply a tensioning force to the tether,
wherein, when a threshold tensioning force is applied to the tether, the tensioning arm moves distally along a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein coupling the tether to the tensioning arm includes threading a portion of the tether through one or more openings formed in the tensioning arm.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning arm is pivoted past the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft by pivoting into a slot formed in the elongate shaft.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a biasing element biases the tensioning arm proximally, and the biasing element is compressed as the tensioning arm moves distally.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning arm is moveable from a first position in which the tensioning arm is pivoted away from the elongate shaft, to a second position in which the tensioning arm is pivoted past the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft to apply the tensioning force to the tether.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning arm is pivotally connected to a plate such that the pivot point of the tensioning arm is offset from the elongated shaft.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the plate is moveable longitudinally along an axis of the elongate shaft between proximal and distal positions.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising a biasing element coupled to the plate and adapted to bias the plate to the proximal position.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the biasing element comprises a spring disposed within the elongate shaft and coupled to the plate to allow the plate to move longitudinally along a portion of the elongate shaft.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the spring is adapted to be compressed to control the amount of tensioning force applied to the tether as the tensioning arm is pivoted.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the plate includes two opposed arms and the tensioning arm is pivotally connected to the two opposed arms.

12. The method of claim 6 wherein the plate is slidably coupled to a rod disposed in the elongate shaft such that the rod guides the plate within the elongate shaft.

Assignees

• Depuy Synthes Products Inc

Inventors

• Mickiewicz Christopher
• Hawkins John Riley

Classifications

• A61B17/8869 Primary

  Tensioning devices · CPC title

• A61B17/701

  Longitudinal elements with a non-circular, e.g. rectangular, cross-section (A61B17/7005, A61B17/7007 take precedence) · CPC title

• A61B17/7083 Primary

  Tools for guidance or insertion of tethers, rod-to-anchor connectors, rod-to-rod connectors, or longitudinal elements · CPC title

• A61B17/7053

  with parts attached to bones or to each other by flexible wires, straps, sutures or cables · CPC title

• A61B2017/564

  Methods for bone or joint treatment · CPC title