BONE TIE AND BONE TIE INSERTER
Various embodiments of bone ties, bone tie inserters, and methods for treating the spine are provided. The bone tie can include a proximal end and a distal end. The bone tie can include a head section comprising a rounded head. The bone tie can include a neck section extending proximally from the head section. A bone tie inserter for placing a bone tie can also be provided. The bone tie inserter can include a bone tie advancer with a curved surface configured to guide a rounded head of a bone tie. The bone tie inserter can include a bone tie retriever configured to receive the rounded head of a bone tie. The bone tie is configured to pivot and/or rotate within the retriever portion of the bone tie inserter. The method can include forming a lumen in a first bone portion and a second bone portion. The bone tie can be configured to pivot and/or rotate as the bone tie retriever is withdrawn.
1 - 23 . (canceled)
24 . A method of retrieving a bone tie, the method comprising:
forming a first lumen through a first bone portion and a second bone portion;
forming a second lumen in the second bone portion; and
advancing a retriever portion of a bone tie retriever into the second lumen, the bone tie retriever comprising a depth stop,
wherein the bone tie retriever is advanced into the second lumen until the depth stop abuts a surface of the second bone portion,
wherein the depth stop positions the retriever portion relative to the first lumen.
25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the first lumen is curved.
26 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the second lumen is straight.
27 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising advancing a bone tie advancer and the bone tie through the first lumen.
28 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising positioning a head of the bone tie within the retriever portion.
29 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising capturing a head of the bone tie within the retriever portion.
30 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising removing the bone tie retriever and the bone tie from the second lumen.
31 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising adjusting the position of the depth stop.
32 . A method of retrieving a bone tie, the method comprising:
forming a first lumen through a first bone portion and a second bone portion;
forming a second lumen in the second bone portion;
advancing a retriever portion of a bone tie retriever into the second lumen, the bone tie retriever comprising a depth stop,
wherein the depth stop limits the depth of penetration of the bone tie retriever relative to the second bone portion; and
removing the bone tie retriever.
33 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the first lumen extends through the facet joint space.
34 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the first lumen and the second lumen intersect.
35 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the depth stop positions the bone tie retriever relative to a bone tie advancer.
36 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the depth stop facilitates alignment of a channel of the retriever portion with the first lumen.
37 . The method of claim 32 , wherein a head of the bone tie is retained by the bone tie retriever.
38 . The method of claim 32 , further comprising advancing a catcher mechanism to retain a head of the bone tie within the retriever portion.
39 . A method of retrieving a bone tie, the method comprising:
advancing a retriever portion of a bone tie retriever into a lumen of a bone portion, the bone tie retriever comprising a depth stop,
wherein the bone tie retriever is advanced into the lumen until the depth stop abuts a surface of the bone portion,
wherein the bone tie retriever extends into the bone portion a predetermined distance; and
retrieving the bone tie with the bone tie retriever.
40 . The method of claim 39 , further comprising aligning a channel of the bone tie retriever with a curved lumen.
41 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the lumen is straight.
42 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the depth stop is positioned proximal to a catcher mechanism.
43 . The method of claim 39 , further comprising retaining a head of the bone tie within the retriever portion.