Guides and components for closure systems and methods therefor

A system for coupling a tension member to a spool of a reel based closure system, the system comprising:

• the tension member;
• the spool;
• and
• a coupling component that is separate from the tension member and that engages with a distal end of the tension member so that the coupling component is fixed about the tension member;
• wherein:
• the spool includes a channel that extends through a cylindrical body of the spool;
• the coupling component is insertable through the channel;
• and
• the channel includes a one way fastening mechanism that is configured to flex or bend as the coupling component is inserted distally through the one way fastening mechanism and that is further configured to prevent the coupling component from being pulled proximally through the one way fastening mechanism.

A method of coupling a tension member with a reel based closure device comprising:

• inserting the tension member through a channel of a spool of the reel based closure device, the spool including a central cylindrical body and the channel including a main body and opposing openings;
• coupling a distal end of the tension member with a coupling component that is separate from the tension member to fix the coupling component about the distal end of the tension member;
• retracting the tension member through the channel of the spool so that the coupling component engages with the channel and thereby prevents the tension member from being pulled through the spool's channel;
• wherein the tension member is inserted entirely through the channel along a plane that is orthogonal to a central axis of the spool;
• and
• wherein each opening of the opposing openings is formed on a cylindrical surface of the central cylindrical body.

A system for coupling a tension member to a spool of a reel based closure system, the system comprising:

• the tension member;
• the spool having a central cylindrical body about which the tension member is wound;
• and
• a coupling component that is separate from the tension member and that engages with a distal end of the tension member so that the coupling component is fixed about the tension member;
• wherein:
• the spool defines a central axis and includes a channel that extends through the central cylindrical body of the spool;
• the channel includes a main body and opposing openings that are positioned in a plane orthogonal to the central axis;
• the tension member is insertable through the main body and opposing openings of the channel to engage the coupling component with the distal end of the tension member and thereby attach the tension member to the spool;
• and
• each opening of the opposing openings is formed on a cylindrical surface of the cylindrical body.