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Tissue fixation system and method

  • US 10,238,378 B2
  • Filed: 05/24/2016
  • Issued: 03/26/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for stabilizing a bone in a body of a subject, comprising:

  • introducing, into the body of the subject, a curved segment of an elongate, fastener placement rod, such that a leading end of the curved segment at least partially circumnavigates the bone;

    providing, at the leading end of the curved segment of the fastener placement rod, a fastener at the bone;

    securing the fastener with respect to the bone, wherein the fastener is secured with respect to the bone utilizing at least one flexible line;

    passing the flexible line from the fastener through at least a portion of the bone to a separate securing point within the body, wherein the passing step is performed utilizing a gripper at a leading end of an elongate gripper rod which pulls the flexible line from the fastener and at least through the portion of the bone to the separate securing point within the body, wherein the elongate fastener placement rod and elongate gripper rod extend from a hand-held guidance and positioning device; and

    forming a hole through the portion of the bone prior to the pulling step, wherein the hole forming step is performed by an elongate drill rod extending from the hand-held guidance and positioning device,wherein;

    the bone is a first bone,the flexible line is provided attached to the fastener at the first bone, andthe method includes a step of passing the flexible line from the fastener and at least through the portion of the first bone, through at least a portion of a second bone to a separate securing point within the body, thereby stabilizing at least the first and second bones with respect to each other.

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