# US 10,368,921 B2 · Methods and apparatus for stabilizing bone > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,368,921 B2 - Document ID: US10368921B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/726,775 - Filed: 2017-10-06 - Published: 2018-02-22 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-02-24 - Assignees: Spinal Elements, Inc. - Applicants: Spinal Elements, Inc. - Inventors: Jason Blain - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10368921B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7064: {Devices acting on, attached to, or simulating the effect of, vertebral facets; Tools therefor} - A61B 17/82: for bone cerclage {(apparatus for manipulating wires or straps A61B17/8861; wires, bands or straps other than cerclage A61B17/842)} - A61B 17/842: {Flexible wires, bands or straps (A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence)} - A61B 17/7053: {with parts attached to bones or to each other by flexible wires, straps, sutures or cables} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion of the flexible fastening band are made of the same material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising disposing a prosthesis between the first bone portion and the second bone portion before inserting the proximal portion of the flexible fastening band into the fastener. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible fastening band includes first uniform shape and a second uniform shape, different from the first uniform shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the first uniform shape is substantially cuboidal and the second uniform shape is substantially cylindrical. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning only a portion of the flexible fastening band into contact with the lumen of the first bone portion and into contact with the lumen of the second bone portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising removing an excess portion of the proximal portion advanced through the fastener after stabilizing the first bone portion and the second bone portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first bone portion is an articular process of a first vertebra and the second bone portion is an articular process of a second vertebra. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein forming the lumen in the first bone portion further comprises forming a lumen through a facet of the articular process. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: disposing a portion of a second flexible fastening band into contact with the first bone portion and into contact with the second bone portion, the second flexible fastening band comprising a second fastener; and advancing the portion of the second flexible fastening band through the second fastener of the second flexible fastening band. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the fastener is monolithically formed at a distal end of the flexible fastening band. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising forming an opening in body tissue substantially equidistant between the first bone portion and the second bone portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein advancing the proximal portion of the flexible fastening band comprises advancing the proximal portion through an opening in the fastener. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein advancing the proximal portion of the flexible fastening band comprises advancing the proximal portion over a ratchet in the fastener. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein advancing the proximal portion of the flexible fastening band comprises advancing gears of a gear rack on the flexible fastening band over the ratchet in the fastener. ### Claim 16 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. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising disposing a prosthesis between the superior articular process and the inferior articular process before inserting the proximal portion of the flexible fastening band into the fastener. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the flexible fastening band includes a body having a first uniform shape and a second uniform shape, different from the first uniform shape. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein advancing the proximal portion of the flexible fastening band comprises advancing the proximal portion over a ratchet in the fastener. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein advancing the proximal portion of the flexible fastening band comprises advancing gears of a gear rack on the flexible fastening band over the ratchet in the fastener.