Methods and apparatus for stabilizing bone
AssigneeSpinal Elements, Inc.
InventorJason Blain
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In some embodiments, a method comprises disposing a portion of a flexible fastening band into contact with a first bone portion and into contact with a second bone portion. The portion of the flexible fastening band having a substantially uniform shape configured to substantially compliment a shape of the first bone portion and a shape of the second bone portion. The method further includes inserting the portion of the flexible fastening band into a fastener and advancing the portion of the flexible fastening band through the fastener until the first bone portion and the and the second bone portion are stabilized.
Claims20
A method of treating bone portions, the method comprising:
- forming a lumen in a first bone portion;
- forming a lumen in a second bone portion;
- disposing a proximal portion of a flexible fastening band through the lumen of the first bone portion and through the lumen of the second bone portion, wherein the proximal portion is more flexible than a distal portion of the flexible fastening band, wherein the distal portion includes a fastener;
- inserting the proximal portion of the flexible fastening band into the fastener, after disposing the proximal portion of the flexible fastening band through the lumen of the first bone portion and the lumen of the second bone portion;
- and
- advancing the proximal portion of the flexible fastening band through the fastener.
A method of treating a facet joint, the method comprising:
- forming a lumen in a superior articular process and an inferior articular process;
- providing a flexible fastening band comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion with a monolithically formed fastener, wherein the proximal portion is more flexible than the distal portion and wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are made of the same material;
- disposing a proximal portion of a flexible fastening band through the lumen in the superior articular process and the inferior articular process;
- inserting the proximal portion of the flexible fastening band into the fastener;
- advancing the proximal portion of the flexible fastening band through the fastener;
- and
- removing an excess portion of the proximal end portion advanced through the fastener.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.