Bone fixation systems and related methods
AssigneeMedicineLodge, Inc.
InventorE. Marlowe Goble
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bone fixation system includes a bone fixation element adapted for mounting on a bone of a patient. The bone fixation element has a body with a channel extending through a portion thereof. A line extends through the channel of the bone fixation element. A tubular collet is at least partially disposed within the channel of the bone fixation element and has the line extending therethrough. The tubular collet includes a threaded portion engaging with the bone fixation element and a nose portion having a least one slit formed thereon. The collet is configured such that when the collet is further advanced into the channel of the bone fixation element at least a portion of the nose portion radially inwardly constricts to securely engage the line.
Claims19
A bone fixation system comprising:
- a bone fixation element adapted for mounting on a bone of a patient, the bone fixation element comprising a body having a channel extending through a portion thereof;
- a line extending through the channel of the bone fixation element, wherein the line is flexible;
- and
- a tubular collet at least partially disposed within the channel of the bone fixation element and having the line extending through the tubular collet, the tubular collet comprising a threaded portion engaging with the bone fixation element and a nose portion having at least one slit formed thereon, the collet being configured such that when the collet is further advanced into the channel of the bone fixation element at least a portion of the nose portion radially inwardly constricts to securely engage the line.
A method comprising:
- securing a bone fixation element to a bone, the bone fixation element having a flexible line extending through a channel of the bone fixation element;
- and
- threading a tubular collet having the flexible line extending therethrough into the channel of the bone fixation element so that a portion of the tubular collet radially inwardly constricts to engage the flexible line, the tubular collet having a thread formed on an exterior surface of the collet.
A method comprising:
- forming a tunnel on a bone;
- advancing a first end of a flexible line through the tunnel;
- passing the flexible line through a cannulated bone fixation element and a tubular collet, the tubular collet having a thread formed on an exterior surface of the collet;
- securing the bone fixation element within the tunnel on the bone;
- and
- threading the tubular collet into the bone fixation element so that a tapered nose portion of the tubular collet having at least one slit formed thereon radially inwardly constricts to engage the flexible line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.