# US 10,945,770 B2 · Surgical band clamp system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,945,770 B2 - Document ID: US10945770B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/391,724 - Filed: 2019-04-23 - Published: 2019-10-03 - Granted: 2021-03-16 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-02 - Assignees: NuVasive, Inc. - Applicants: Nuvasive, Inc. - Inventors: Andrew Schafer; Andrew Morris; Adam Lipson; Robert German; Nicholas Didier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945770B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7053: {with parts attached to bones or to each other by flexible wires, straps, sutures or cables} - A61B 17/8869: {Tensioning devices} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A system for securing a spinal rod to a bone structure using a connector is provided. The connector functions by modulating friction on a band in two band channels and locking the spinal rod in a separate rod channel. An instrument is also provided for tensioning the band. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for tensioning a band connected to a connector, the device comprising: an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; an engagement feature at the distal end of the elongate shaft, the engagement feature configured to engage the connector; and a band holder comprising a band connection ring having two band slots configured to receive the band and a band locking ring having two indentations, wherein, when the two indentations are in a first position relative to the two band slots, the band is configured to pass through the two band slots, and when the two indentations are in a second position relative to the two band slots, longitudinal translation of the band relative to the band holder is restricted. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the engagement feature comprises a clamp locking element, the clamp locking element having a ramped contour that is wider in a distal direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the engagement feature comprises a boot element that translates longitudinally relative to the elongate shaft, and wherein the boot element is dimensioned to internally accept a proximal end of the connector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the boot element comprises one or more cavities, each of the one or more cavities holding a detent member that translates radially relative to the ramped contour. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the engagement feature comprises a locked configuration in which the detent member contacts a proximal portion of the ramped contour, and an unlocked configuration in which the detent member contacts a distal portion of the ramped contour. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the detent member translates radially inward from the unlocked position to the locked position and engages the proximal end of the connector in the locked position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3 further comprising a thumb wheel that rotates to cause translation of the boot element longitudinally thereby switching the engagement feature between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the two band slots are positioned approximately 180° from one another on the band connection ring. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate shaft comprises a threaded surface, and the band holder comprises an engaging threaded surface such that rotation of the elongate shaft causes longitudinal translation of the band holder. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the band is positioned around a bone structure and reversibly connected to the connector. ### Claim 11 A device for inserting a connector to a spinal rod and for tensioning a band connected to the connector the device comprising: an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; an engagement feature at the distal end of the elongate shaft, the engagement feature is configured to reversibly engage the connector; and a band holder comprising a band connection ring having two band slots configured to receive the band, and a band locking ring having two indentations, wherein the engagement feature comprises a ramped contour that is wider in a distal direction, a boot element configured to translate longitudinally relative to the elongate shaft, a detent member configured to translate longitudinally and radially relative to the ramped contour. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein when the two indentations are in a first position relative to the two band slots, the band is configured to pass freely through the two band slots, and when the two indentations are in a second position relative to the two band slots, longitudinal translation of the band relative to the band holder is prevented. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 further comprising a thumb wheel that rotates to cause translation of the boot element longitudinally thereby switching the engagement feature between a locked and an unlocked configuration. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the boot element is dimensioned to internally accept a proximal end of the connector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the boot element comprises one or more cavities, each of the one or more cavities is configured to hold the detent member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the engagement feature comprises a locked configuration in which the detent member contacts a proximal portion of the ramped contour, and an unlocked configuration in which the detent member contacts a distal portion of the ramped contour. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, wherein the detent member translates radially inward from the unlocked position to the locked position and engages the proximal end of the connector in the locked position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the two band slots are positioned approximately 180° from one another on the band connection ring. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the elongate shaft comprises a threaded surface and the band holder comprises an engaging threaded surface such that rotation of the elongate shaft causes longitudinal translation of the band holder. ### Claim 20 A device for inserting a connector to a spinal rod and for tensioning a band connected to the connector: an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; an engagement feature at the distal end of the elongate shaft, the engagement feature configured to reversibly engage the connector; and a band holder comprising a band connection ring having two band slots configured to receive the band and a band locking ring having two indentations, wherein, when the two indentations and the two band slots are aligned, the band is configured to pass freely through the two band slots, and when the two indentations and the two band slots are not aligned, longitudinal translation of the band relative to the band holder is restricted or prevented, and wherein the band is positioned around a bone structure and reversibly connected to the connector.