Method and apparatus for tensioning a suture
First Claim
1. A method for applying tension to a flexible member, comprising:
- positioning a tensioning member relative to a first bone portion and a second bone portion, the tensioning member having first and second flexible member attachment members and a corresponding set of first and second flexible member engaging members extending therefrom;
positioning the flexible member about the first and second bone portions;
coupling the flexible member to the first and second attachment members;
tensioning the flexible member to draw the first and second bone portions toward each other under a first tension;
rotating the tensioning member such that the first and second attachment members draw the flexible member in opposite directions applying additional tension to the flexible member to place the flexible member and the first and second bone portions under a second tension;
engaging the flexible member with the first and second flexible member engaging members and creating a non-linearity in the flexible member about each of the flexible member engaging members; and
maintaining the second tension via engagement of the flexible member with the first and second attachment members and the first and second engagement members in an absence of an external force.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus can include a tensioning member having a body defining a first bone engaging surface, a second opposite suture receiving surface, and an outer perimeter. First and second suture attachment members can be positioned relative to the second surface and spaced apart from each other, and can be configured to be coupled to a suture. First and second suture engaging members can extend from the second surface and can be positioned in spaced relation to the first and second suture attachment members. Rotation of the tensioning member in a first direction can selectively engage the first and second suture receiving members with the suture, thereby forming a non-linear path of travel of the suture relative to the first and second suture attachment members and suture engaging members and increasing the tension in the suture.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for applying tension to a flexible member, comprising:
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positioning a tensioning member relative to a first bone portion and a second bone portion, the tensioning member having first and second flexible member attachment members and a corresponding set of first and second flexible member engaging members extending therefrom; positioning the flexible member about the first and second bone portions; coupling the flexible member to the first and second attachment members; tensioning the flexible member to draw the first and second bone portions toward each other under a first tension; rotating the tensioning member such that the first and second attachment members draw the flexible member in opposite directions applying additional tension to the flexible member to place the flexible member and the first and second bone portions under a second tension; engaging the flexible member with the first and second flexible member engaging members and creating a non-linearity in the flexible member about each of the flexible member engaging members; and maintaining the second tension via engagement of the flexible member with the first and second attachment members and the first and second engagement members in an absence of an external force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for applying tension to a suture, comprising:
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positioning a tensioning member relative to a first bone portion and a second bone portion, the tensioning member having first and second suture attachment members and a corresponding first and second plurality of suture engaging members extending therefrom; positioning an adjustable suture construct about the first and second bone portions; coupling first and second adjustable loops of the adjustable suture construct to the first and second attachment members; tensioning free ends of the adjustable suture construct to reduce a size of the first and second adjustable loops and draw the first and second bone portions toward each other under a first tension; rotating the tensioning member such that the first and second attachment members draw the adjustable suture construct in opposite directions applying additional tension to the suture construct to place the suture construct and the first and second bone portions under a second tension; engaging the first and second adjustable loops with a respective one of the plurality of first and second suture engaging members and creating a non-linearity in the adjustable loops about each of the one of the plurality of first and second suture engaging members; and maintaining the second tension via engagement of the first and second adjustable loops with the first and second suture attachment members and the one of the plurality of first and second suture engagement members in an absence of an external force. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for applying tension to a flexible member, comprising:
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positioning a tensioning member relative to a first bone portion and a second bone portion, the tensioning member having first and second flexible member attachment members and a corresponding set of first and second flexible member engaging members extending therefrom; positioning the flexible member about the first and second bone portions; coupling the flexible member to the first and second attachment members; tensioning the flexible member to draw the first and second bone portions toward each other under a first tension; rotating the tensioning member such that the first and second attachment members draw the flexible member in opposite directions applying additional tension to the flexible member to place the flexible member and the first and second bone portions under a second tension; engaging the flexible member with the first and second flexible member engaging members and creating a non-linearity in the flexible member about each of the flexible member engaging members; and maintaining the second tension via engagement of the flexible member with the first and second attachment members and the first and second engagement members in an absence of an external force; wherein rotating the tensioning member such that the attachment members draw the flexible member in opposite directions applying additional tension to the flexible member to place the flexible member and the first and second bone portions under a second tension includes engaging a driver with the tensioning member and rotating the driver to rotate the tensioning member. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for applying tension to a flexible member, comprising:
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positioning a tensioning member relative to a first bone portion and a second bone portion, the tensioning member having first and second flexible member attachment members and a corresponding set of first and second flexible member engaging members extending therefrom; positioning the flexible member about the first and second bone portions; coupling the flexible member to the first and second attachment members; tensioning the flexible member to draw the first and second bone portions toward each other under a first tension; rotating the tensioning member such that the first and second attachment members draw the flexible member in opposite directions applying additional tension to the flexible member to place the flexible member and the first and second bone portions under a second tension; engaging the flexible member with the first and second flexible member engaging members and creating a non-linearity in the flexible member about each of the flexible member engaging members; and maintaining the second tension via engagement of the flexible member with the first and second attachment members and the first and second engagement members in an absence of an external force; wherein engaging the flexible member with the first and second flexible member engaging members includes; sliding the flexible member over a first ramped surface of the flexible member engaging members; and engaging the flexible member against a second side surface of the flexible member engaging member; wherein the flexible member is bent around the second side surface of each flexible member engaging member thereby creating the non-linearity; and wherein the first and second flexible member engaging members include a first and second plurality of flexible member engaging members each having the first ramped surface and second side surface, each plurality of flexible member engaging members being positioned consecutively in a single row; wherein continued rotation of the tensioning member slides the flexible member over consecutive flexible member engaging members of each of the first and second plurality of flexible member engaging members; and wherein engaging the flexible member with each consecutive ramped member second side surface increases the second tension applied to the flexible member and first and second bone portions. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification