Surgical cable system and method

A connector comprising:

• a body comprising an internal cavity, a first duct, and a second duct, wherein at least one duct is adapted to communicate with the internal cavity;
• a cable adapted to pass through the body to form a loop for engaging a portion of a human bone during use;
• and
• a pin comprising an opening, the pin being positionable within the internal cavity, wherein the pin is positionable within the internal cavity during use in a first position for securing a portion of the cable with respect to the body, thereby fixing the size of the loop during use, and wherein the pin is rotatable to a second position, such that the cable is moveable relative to the body to allow the size of the loop to be altered during use.

A connector comprising:

• a body comprising an internal cavity, a first duct, a second duct, a first arm and a second arm, the first extending from a first side of the body, the second arm extending from a second side of the body, wherein the second side is located opposite the first side, and wherein at least one duct is adapted to communicate with the internal cavity;
• a cable adapted to pass through the body to form a loop for engaging a portion of a human spine during use;
• and
• a pin comprising an opening, the pin being positionable within the internal cavity, wherein the pin is positionable within the internal cavity during use in a first position for securing a portion of the cable with respect to the body, thereby fixing the size of the loop during use, and wherein the pin is positionable in a second position, such that the cable is moveable relative to the body to allow the size of the loop to be altered during use.

A method of surgically implanting a surgical cable system comprising:

• passing a cable through a connector body, around a human spine element, and back through the connector body to form a loop;
• tensioning the cable with a tensioner;
• positioning a pin within the connector body such that the pin engages the cable to secure the cable within the connector body;
• varying the position of the pin within the connector body to permit the cable to move within the connector body;
• retensioning the cable with the tensioner;
• and
• repositioning the pin within the connector body to secure the cable within the connector body.

A surgical cable system comprising:

• a body comprising an internal cavity;
• a cable adapted to pass through the body to form a loop for engaging a portion of a human spine during use;
• a pin positionable within the internal cavity during use in a first orientation for securing a portion of the cable with respect to the body thereby fixing the size of the loop during use, and wherein the pin is positionable in a second position, subsequent to securing the cable with respect to the body, such that the cable is moveable relative to the body to allow the size of the loop to be altered during use;
• and
• a tensioner adapted to vary the tension of the cable during use.

A method of using a tensioner for surgically implanting a surgical cable system comprising:

• passing a cable around a human spine element and through a connector to form a loop;
• tensioning the cable with the tensioner such that a first direction of movement of a shaft of the tensioner is opposite to a second direction of movement of the cable through the connector;
• and
• securing the cable within the connector.

A connector comprising:

• a body comprising an internal cavity, a first arm extending from a first side of the body, and a second arm extending from a second side of the body, wherein the second side is located opposite the first side;
• a cable adapted to pass through the body to form a loop for engaging a portion of a human bone during use;
• and
• a pin positionable within the internal cavity during use in a first position for securing a portion of the cable with respect to the body, thereby fixing the size of the loop during use, and wherein the pin is positionable in a second position, such that the cable is moveable relative to the body to allow the size of the loop to be altered during use.

A connector comprising:

• a body comprising an internal cavity, a first arm extending from a first side of the body, and a second arm extending from a second side of the body, wherein the second side is located opposite the first side;
• a cable adapted to pass through the body to form a loop for engaging a portion of a human bone during use;
• and
• a pin positionable within the internal cavity during use in a first position for securing a portion of the cable with respect to the body, thereby fixing the size of the loop during use, and wherein the pin is rotatable into a second position, such that the cable is moveable relative to the body to allow the size of the loop to be altered during use.

A connector comprising:

• a body comprising an internal cavity, a first duct, a second duct, a first arm and a second arm, the first arm extending from a first side of the body, the second arm extending from a second side of the body, wherein the second side is located opposite the first side, and wherein at least one duct is adapted to communicate with the internal cavity;
• a cable adapted to pass through the body to form a loop for engaging a portion of a human spine during use;
• and
• a pin comprising an opening, the pin being positionable within the internal cavity, wherein the pin is positionable within the internal cavity during use in a first position for securing a portion of the cable with respect to the body, thereby fixing the size of the loop during use, and wherein the pin is rotatable into a second position, such that the cable is moveable relative to the body to allow the size of the loop to be altered during use.

A connector comprising:

• a body comprising an internal cavity, a first arm extending from a first side of the body, and a second arm extending from a second side of the body, wherein the second side is located opposite the first side;
• a cable adapted to pass through the body to form a loop for engaging a portion of a human bone during use;
• and
• a pin positionable within the internal cavity during use in a first position for securing a portion of the cable with respect to the body, thereby fixing the size of the loop during use, and wherein the pin is rotatable into a second position, such that the cable is moveable relative to the body to allow the size of the loop to be altered during use, and wherein the pin is further rotatable from the second position to the first position to resecure the cable with respect to the body;
• wherein the first and second arms are positioned such that rotation of the pin within the internal cavity is hindered during use.

A connector comprising:

• a body comprising an internal cavity, a first duct, a second duct, a first arm and a second arm, the first extending from a first side of the body, the second arm extending from a second side of the body, wherein the second side is located opposite the first side, and wherein at least one duct is adapted to communicate with the internal cavity;
• a cable adapted to pass through the body to form a loop for engaging a portion of a human spine during use;
• and
• a pin comprising an opening, the pin being positionable within the internal cavity, wherein the pin is positionable within the internal cavity during use in a first position for securing a portion of the cable with respect to the body, thereby fixing the size of the loop during use, and wherein the pin is rotatable into a second position, such that the cable is moveable relative to the body to allow the size of the loop to be altered during use, and wherein the pin is further rotatable from the second position to the first position to resecure the cable with respect to the body;
• wherein the first and second arms are positioned such that rotation of the pin within the internal cavity is hindered during use.

A connector comprising:

• a body comprising an internal cavity, a first duct, and a second duct, wherein at least one duct is adapted to communicate with the internal cavity;
• a cable adapted to pass through the body to form a loop for engaging a portion of a human bone during use;
• and
• a pin comprising an opening, the pin being positionable within the internal cavity, wherein the pin is positionable within the internal cavity during use in a first position for securing a portion of the cable with respect to the body, thereby fixing the size of the loop during use, and wherein the pin is positionable in a second position, such that the cable is moveable relative to the body to allow the size of the loop to be altered during use, and wherein the opening comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion comprising a diameter substantially greater than the lower portion.