Method and instrument for tensioning a flexible tie

1. A vertebral fastening system, comprising:

an implant comprising:

an elongate rod;

a connector secured to the rod, the connector having a passage extending therethrough; and

a flexible tie configured to secure the connector to a bony element;

wherein the flexible tie is configured to pass through the connector and be secured thereto;

and

an instrument for tensioning the flexible tie, comprising:

a shaft having a longitudinal axis, the shaft having a distal end along the longitudinal axis including first and second engagement arms receiving the connector of the implant therebetween with the distal end in contact with the rod, the rod extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the distal end;

a moving part configured to translate along the shaft;

a holder connected to the moving part and configured to hold a portion of the flexible tie, the holder being movable in translation relative to the shaft;

a tension control member configured to cause the moving part to translate along the shaft to move the holder holding the portion of the flexible tie in translation away from the distal end of the shaft, thereby exerting tension on the flexible tie in a direction generally perpendicular to the rod, the tension control member comprising a trigger that pivots relative to the moving part; and

a handle secured to the moving part and disposed in proximity to the trigger to allow for simultaneous grasping of both the handle and the trigger, wherein the trigger further comprises a finger extending into the moving part, and wherein rotating the trigger in a first direction relative to the handle engages the finger of the trigger with the shaft.

2. A vertebral fastening system according to claim 1 , wherein the holder is configured to hold a second loop of the flexible tie while a first loop of the flexible tie extends around the bony element.

3. A vertebral fastening system according to claim 2 , wherein the holder comprises a capture post around which the second loop is configured to be wrapped.

4. A vertebral fastening system according to claim 3 , further comprising:

a tension gauge located at a distal end of the capture post.

5. A vertebral fastening system according to claim 4 , wherein the tension gauge comprises an indicator line on an outer surface of the moving part.

6. A vertebral fastening system according to claim 2 , wherein translating the holder away from the distal end of the shaft lengthens the second loop of the flexible tie and shortens the first loop of the flexible tie.

7. A vertebral fastening system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a mark on an outer surface of the moving part, the mark indicating a level of tension applied onto the flexible tie.

8. A vertebral fastening system according to claim 7 , wherein the level of tension corresponds to a spring being subjected to a predetermined amount of compression.

9. A vertebral fastening system according to claim 1 , wherein the holder is configured to hold a free end of the flexible tie.

10. A vertebral fastening system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an anti-return mechanism for temporarily preventing the moving part and the shaft moving in translation relative to each other in absence of any action on the trigger.

11. A vertebral fastening system according to claim 1 , wherein further rotation of the trigger in the first direction moves the moving part in translation away from the distal end of the shaft to tension the flexible tie, and wherein releasing the trigger disengages the finger from the shaft.

12. A vertebral fastening system according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second engagement arms include a curved surface configured to bear against the rod.

13. A vertebral fastening system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a tension indicator to indicate to a user when a suitable amount of tension has been exerted on the flexible tie.

14. An instrument for tensioning a flexible tie of a vertebral implant including a connector securable to a rod, comprising:

a shaft having a distal end configured for contact with a rod;

a moving part configured to translate along the shaft;

a holder connected to the moving part and configured to hold a portion of the flexible tie, the holder being movable in translation relative to the shaft;

a tension control member configured to cause the moving part to translate along the shaft to move the holder holding the end of the flexible tie in translation away from the distal end of the shaft, thereby exerting tension on the flexible tie, wherein the tension control member comprises a trigger that pivots relative to the moving part;

a handle secured to the moving part and disposed in proximity to the trigger to allow for simultaneous grasping of both the handle and the trigger, wherein the trigger further comprises a finger extending into the moving part, and wherein rotating the trigger in a first direction relative to the handle engages the finger of the trigger with the shaft;

a plate having an opening through which the shaft is received, the opening of the plate having a diameter that is slightly greater than a diameter of the shaft;

an arm extending from the moving part; and

a spring, wherein when the trigger is disengaged from the shaft the arm biases the plate to a sloped orientation relative to the shaft to inhibit movement, and wherein when the trigger engages the shaft and moves the shaft in the first direction, the spring biases the plate into a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the shaft to enable translational movement of the moving part relative to the shaft, the shaft being translatable through the opening of the plate.

15. A system for fastening a spinal rod to a bony structure of a vertebra, the system comprising:

a vertebral implant including:

a spinal rod;

a connector secured to the spinal rod; and

a flexible tie passing through the connector and having a loop portion extending from the connector for extending around a bony structure; and

an instrument for tensioning the flexible tie, the instrument including:

a shaft having a longitudinal axis, the shaft having a distal end including first and second engagement arms receiving the connector of the implant therebetween while curved surfaces of the first and second engagement arms bear against the rod with the curved surface of the first engagement arm bearing against a first portion of the rod extending from a first side of the connector and the curved surface of the second engagement arm bearing against a second portion of the rod extending from a second side of the connector opposite the first side;

a moving part configured to translate along the shaft;

a holder connected to the moving part and configured to hold a portion of the flexible tie, the holder being movable in translation relative to the shaft; and

a tension control member configured to cause the moving part to translate along the shaft to move the holder holding the portion of the flexible tie in translation away from the distal end of the shaft, thereby exerting tension on the flexible tie in a direction generally perpendicular to the rod.

16. An system according to claim 15 , further comprising:

a tension indicator to indicate to a user when a suitable amount of tension has been exerted on the flexible tie.