# US 11,992,246 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 11,992,246 B2 - Document ID: US11992246B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/140,898 - Filed: 2021-01-04 - Published: 2021-06-24 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - 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/US11992246B2 ## 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, in a first configuration of the band holder, each of the two indentations is aligned with a respective one of the two band slots to allow the band to pass through one of the two band slots, and in a second configuration of the band holder, each of the two indentations is rotated relative to the respective one of the two band slots to restrict movement of the band. ### Claim 2 (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 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the two band slots are positioned opposite each other on the band connection ring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the band is positioned around a bone structure and reversibly connected to the connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the engagement feature comprises a clamp locking element, and wherein the clamp locking element includes a ramped contour that has an increased width at a distal end of the clamp locking element relative to a width at a proximal end of the clamp locking element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the clamp locking element comprises a boot element configured to translate longitudinally relative to the elongate shaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the boot element comprises one or more cavities, each of the one or more cavities holding a detent member configured to translate radially relative to the ramped contour. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the engagement feature is configured to be in a locked configuration in which the detent member contacts a proximal end of the ramped contour, or in an unlocked configuration in which the detent member contacts a distal end of the ramped contour. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the detent member is configured to translate radially inward and engage a proximal end of the connector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, further comprising a thumb wheel configured to rotate, thereby causing translation of the boot element longitudinally, and switching the engagement feature between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. ### Claim 11 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 band locking ring is rotated such that the two indentations are not aligned with the two band slots, longitudinal translation of the band relative to the band holder is restricted or prevented. ### Claim 12 (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 13 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the two band slots are positioned opposite each other on the band connection ring. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the band is positioned around a bone structure and reversibly connected to the connector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the engagement feature comprises a clamp locking element, and wherein the clamp locking element includes a ramped contour that has an increased width at a distal end of the clamp locking element relative to a width at a proximal end of the clamp locking element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the clamp locking element comprises a boot element configured to translate longitudinally relative to the elongate shaft. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, wherein the boot element comprises one or more cavities, each of the one or more cavities holding a detent member configured to translate radially relative to the ramped contour. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the engagement feature is configured to move between a locked configuration in which the detent member contacts a proximal end of the ramped contour, and an unlocked configuration in which the detent member contacts a distal end of the ramped contour. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the detent member is configured to translate radially inward and engage a proximal end of the connector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, further comprising a thumb wheel configured to rotate, thereby causing translation of the boot element longitudinally and switching the engagement feature between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.