# US 9,433,441 B2 · Elastic member clamps > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,441 B2 - Document ID: US9433441B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/053,281 - Filed: 2013-10-14 - Published: 2014-09-11 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-05 - Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Milan George; Rory Palmer; Alexander Artaki; John Perkins; Adam Friedrich; Chad Glerum; Jeff Nichols; Khiem Pham; Michael Harper; Noah Hansell; Richard Castle; Stephan Lawson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433441B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/7041: {with single longitudinal rod offset laterally from single row of screws or hooks (A61B17/7044 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/7053: {with parts attached to bones or to each other by flexible wires, straps, sutures or cables} - A61B 17/7086: {Rod reducers, i.e. devices providing a mechanical advantage to allow a user to force a rod into or onto an anchor head other than by means of a rod-to-bone anchor locking element; rod removers} - A61B 17/8869: {Tensioning devices} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract The present application generally relates to orthopedic stabilization systems, and in particular, to systems including clamps. The clamps can be used in addition to or to replace hooks that grasp onto bone members, such as the lamina. One example of such a clamp is an in-line clamp that includes a central opening for receiving a rod member, a first opening for receiving a set screw and a second opening for receiving an elastic member therethrough. Another example of such a clamp is an off-set clamp that includes an upper plate, a bottom plate, and an opening for receiving a rod therein. The upper plate can be separated from the bottom plate to make space for an elastic member that can be secured within the plates. Tulip clamps that utilize one or more elastic members are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical system comprising: a clamp receiving a rod and an elastic member therein, wherein the elastic member extends around a portion of the rod and is configured to wrap around a bone member, wherein the clamp comprises a first lower opening, a second lower opening and an upper opening, wherein a first end of the elastic member passes through the first lower opening and a second end of the elastic member passes through the second lower opening such that both the first end and the second end of the elastic member can pass through the upper opening, an instrument configured to hold the clamp and tension the elastic member, the instrument comprising a clamp holder with tips for grasping the clamp and a tensioner driver for increasing tension on the elastic member, wherein the clamp further comprises a set screw opening, wherein a set screw is received in the set screw opening, and the set screw engages the elastic member when the set screw is positioned through the set screw opening, and wherein the upper opening is located between the first lower opening and the set screw opening and the set screw opening is located between the upper opening and the second lower opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the clamp further comprises an inner opening formed by an inner curved wall of the clamp, wherein the inner curved wall includes a groove for receiving the elastic member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the instrument further comprises an outer sleeve operably attached to the clamp holder. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the outer sleeve comprises a pair of slots through which the elastic member of the clamp can pass therethrough. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the instrument further comprises an elastic member lock for receiving a portion of the elastic member therein. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the instrument includes an outer sleeve having elongate slots at a distal end, and the elastic member passes through the slots when the instrument is holding the clamp. ### Claim 7 A surgical system comprising: a clamp receiving a bushing and a set screw therein, wherein the clamp further receives a rod member and an elastic member, wherein the elastic member extends around a portion of the rod member, wherein the clamp comprises a first lower opening, a second lower opening and an upper opening, wherein a first end of the elastic member passes through the first lower opening and a second end of the elastic member passes through the second lower opening such that both the first end and the second end of the elastic member can pass through the upper opening, wherein the clamp further comprises a set screw opening and wherein a set screw is received in the set screw opening, wherein the upper opening is located between the first lower opening and the set screw opening and the set screw opening is located between the upper opening and the second lower opening, and an instrument configured to hold the clamp, wherein the instrument comprises an outer sleeve and a clamp holder for grasping the clamp, the clamp holder operatively connected to the outer sleeve, wherein the clamp holder comprises flexible tips, and the outer sleeve includes elongate slots at a distal end, wherein the elastic member passes through the slots when the instrument is holding the clamp. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the flexible tips of the clamp holder are flexible due to flexible cuts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the flexible tips of the clamp holder are flexible due to hinges. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the instrument is configured to apply tension to the elongate member while holding the clamp. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the instrument comprises a tensioner driver for applying tension to the elastic member while the elastic member is held by one or more elastic member locks. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more elastic member locks are in the shape of wings with a slit formed therein. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the instrument further comprises a clamp holder handle for placing the flexible tips in either an open or closed configuration, wherein in the closed configuration the clamp holder has a greater grip on the clamp than in the open configuration. ### Claim 14 A surgical system comprising: a clamp receiving a rod member and an elastic member, wherein the elastic member extends around a portion of the rod member, wherein the clamp comprises a first lower opening, a second lower opening and an upper opening, wherein a first end of the elastic member passes through the first lower opening and a second end of the elastic member passes through the second lower opening such that both the first end and the second end of the elastic member can pass through the upper opening, and an instrument configured to hold the clamp, wherein the instrument comprises a clamp holder for grasping the clamp and a tensioner driver for tensioning the elastic member, wherein the clamp further comprises a set screw opening, wherein a set screw is received in the set screw opening, and the set screw engages the elastic member when the set screw is positioned through the set screw opening, and wherein the upper opening is located between the first lower opening and the set screw opening and the set screw opening is located between the upper opening and the second lower opening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the instrument comprises an outer sleeve operably attached to the clamp holder, wherein the outer sleeve is capable of axial translation along a longitudinal length of the instrument. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the outer sleeve is actuated by a clamp holder handle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the tensioner driver works in conjunction with an elastic member base to increase tension on the elastic member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the instrument further comprises a pair of elastic member locks for receiving different ends of the elastic member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the elastic member locks each comprise an opening for receiving a portion of the elastic member therethrough.