Instruments and methods for tensioning a spinal tether

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12396765-B2
Application number	US-202318498000-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 30, 2023
Priority date	Aug 21, 2007
Publication date	Aug 26, 2025
Grant date	Aug 26, 2025

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 tether tensioning device, comprising:
an elongate shaft with a slot formed therein; and
a tensioning mechanism comprising an arm pivotally associated with the elongate shaft, the arm adapted to couple to a tether seated across a bone anchor implanted in bone;
wherein the arm is configured to pivot through the slot and past a central longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft to apply a tensioning force to the tether.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the arm is adapted to move from a first position in which the arm is pivoted away from the elongate shaft, to a second position in which the arm is pivoted past the central longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft to apply a tensioning force to a tether.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the arm is pivotally associated with the elongate shaft at a pivot point offset from the central longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the arm is configured to move a first portion of the tether from a first position in which the first portion of the tether is positioned at one side of the elongate shaft, to a second position in which the first portion of the tether is moved past the pivot point to an opposing side of the elongate shaft to apply a proximal force to a second portion of the tether.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the arm is maintained in the second position by applying a distal force to the first portion of the tether.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the arm includes one or more openings formed therethrough and adapted to receive a portion of a tether to allow the tether to removably couple to the arm.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning mechanism is adapted to move longitudinally along an axis of the elongate shaft between proximal and distal positions.

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

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

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the spring is adapted to be compressed to control the amount of tensioning force applied to a tether as the tensioning mechanism is moved to the distal position.

11. A method of applying a tensioning force to a tether extending along a spinal column, comprising:
mating a distal end of an elongate shaft to a bone anchor implanted in bone;
coupling a tether seated across the bone anchor implanted in bone to a tensioning arm pivotally associated with the elongate shaft; and
pivoting the tensioning arm through a slot formed in the elongate shaft and past a central longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft to apply a tensioning force to the tether.

12. The method of claim 11 , 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.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein pivoting the tensioning arm includes moving the tensioning arm from a first position in which the tensioning arm is pivoted away from the elongate shaft, to a second position in which a first portion of the tether is moved past a pivot point disposed offset to the central longitudinal axis of the elongate body to apply a proximal force to a second portion of the tether.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the tensioning arm is maintained in the second position by a distal force applied to the first portion of the tether.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein, when a threshold tensioning force is applied to the tether, the tensioning arm moves distally along a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein a biasing element biases the tensioning arm proximally, and the biasing element is compressed as the tensioning arm moves distally.

17. A method of applying a tensioning force to a tether extending along a spinal column, comprising:
mating a distal end of an elongate shaft to a bone anchor implanted in bone;
threading a tether seated across the bone anchor implanted in bone through one or more openings formed in a tensioning arm pivotally associated with the elongate shaft; and
pivoting the tensioning arm past a central longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft to apply a tensioning force to the tether.

Assignees

• Depuy Synthes Products Inc

Inventors

• Mickiewicz Christopher
• Hawkins John Riley

Classifications

• A61B2017/567

  Joint mechanisms or joint supports in addition to the natural joints and outside the joint gaps · 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

• 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