Vertebral fixing system

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a method of placing a vertebral fixing system on a vertebra. The vertebral fixing system comprises a connecting part with members forming a space into which a rod may be inserted. The members are moveable relative to each other. A portion of a ligature may be passed through the connecting part to form a loop extending from the connecting part. When the rod is inserted in the space between the members, the ligature may be tensioned against the rod. The members of the connecting part may be driven together to hold the ligature in place. An adjustable locking means may be utilized to fix simultaneously in position the connecting part relative to the rod and at least one portion of the ligature relative to the connecting part, so as to prevent relative displacement of the rod and the vertebra in opposite directions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fixation assembly comprising:
 a connecting rod;   a flexible ligature comprising a first end and a second end;   a body comprising a receiver space shaped to receive the connecting rod and at least a portion of the flexible ligature, the body including a first orifice and a second orifice disposed therein, the first orifice and the second orifice positioned to route the first end of the flexible ligature through the body and around a portion of the connecting rod within the receiver space, wherein the body further comprises a fixation point to terminate the second end of the flexible ligature; and   a threaded fastener configured to engage the body to secure the connecting rod and flexible ligature against at least a portion of an inner surface of the receiver space.   
     
     
         2 . The fixation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a first arm and a second arm that cooperate to form the receiver space. 
     
     
         3 . The fixation assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first orifice is disposed in the first arm and the second orifice is disposed in the second arm. 
     
     
         4 . The fixation assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the threaded fastener engages at least a portion of the first arm and the second arm. 
     
     
         5 . The fixation assembly of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm comprises a threaded portion to engage the threaded fastener. 
     
     
         6 . The fixation assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are hinged. 
     
     
         7 . The fixation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible ligature forms a loop with the first end routed through the first orifice and the second orifice and the second end fixed to the fixation point. 
     
     
         8 . The fixation assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the wherein the threaded fastener does not directly contact the flexible ligature. 
     
     
         9 . A fixation assembly comprising:
 a connecting rod;   a flexible ligature comprising a first end and a second end;   a body comprising a receiver space shaped to receive the connecting rod and at least a portion of the flexible ligature, the body including a first orifice and a second orifice disposed therein, the first orifice and the second orifice positioned to route the first end of the flexible ligature through the body and around a portion of the connecting rod within the receiver space; and   a threaded fastener configured to engage the body to secure the connecting rod and flexible ligature against at least a portion of an inner surface of the receiver space.   
     
     
         10 . The fixation assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the body further comprises a fixation point to terminate the second end of the flexible ligature. 
     
     
         11 . The fixation assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible ligature forms a loop with the first end routed through the first orifice and the second orifice and the second end fixed to the fixation point. 
     
     
         12 . The fixation assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the body comprises a first arm and a second arm that cooperate to form the receiver space. 
     
     
         13 . The fixation assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first orifice is disposed in the first arm and the second orifice is disposed in the second arm. 
     
     
         14 . The fixation assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the threaded fastener engages at least a portion of the first arm and the second arm. 
     
     
         15 . The fixation assembly of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm comprises a threaded portion to engage the threaded fastener. 
     
     
         16 . The fixation assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are hinged. 
     
     
         17 . The fixation assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the threaded fastener does not directly contact the flexible ligature. 
     
     
         18 . The fixation assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the threaded fastener does not directly contact the connecting rod. 
     
     
         19 . The fixation assembly of  claim 9 , wherein engaging the threaded fastener with the body secures the connecting rod from movement within the receiver space. 
     
     
         20 . The fixation assembly of  claim 9 , wherein engaging the threaded fastener with the body compresses the flexible ligature between the connecting rod and a surface of the receiver space. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus comprising:
 an elongate member;   a flexible ligature;   a body comprising a first arm and a second arm that cooperate to form a center recess to receive the elongate member and at least a portion of the flexible ligature, the first arm including a first orifice disposed therein and the second arm including a second orifice disposed therein, the first orifice and the second orifice positioned to route a first end of the flexible ligature around a portion of the connecting rod within the center recess; and   a threaded fastener configured to engage at least a portion of each of the first arm and the second arm to secure the elongate member and flexible ligature against at least a portion of an inner surface of the center recess.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the body further comprises a fixation point to receive a second end of the flexible ligature, and wherein a middle portion of the flexible ligature creates a loop when the second end is secured to the fixation point and the first end is routed through the body.