Bone holding device

Abstract

A bone holding device comprising: at least one conformable elongated member having a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion therebetween; a rod with at least one transverse passage which opens into at least one of two opposite side faces of the rod, said passage being delimited by inner surfaces of the rod, and at least one compression member, the compression member and said inner surfaces both defining clamping surfaces and cooperating so that the first and second portions of the elongated member can be inserted and clamped between said clamping surfaces. A method using such a device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bone holding device comprising:
 at least one elongated member having a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion therebetween,   a rod extending longitudinally along a main axis and being adapted to connect together two bony structures, more particularly two vertebrae, being spaced from each other along the main axis, the rod having at least one transverse passage which opens into at least one of two opposite side faces of the rod, said passage being delimited by inner surfaces of the rod, and   at least one compression member being adapted for interacting with said inner surfaces to define clamping surfaces, so that the first and second portions of the elongated member can be inserted and clamped between said clamping surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . A bone holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression member and the rod are two distinct pieces, the compression member being moveable relative to the rod, the first and second portions of the elongated member being clamped between the compression member and the rod by moving the compression member relative to the rod. 
     
     
         3 . A bone holding device according to  claim 2 , wherein the compression member is provided with a thread for rotative engagement with a complementary thread provided on the rod, the first and second portions of the elongated member being clamped between the compression member and the rod by tightening the compression member relative to the rod. 
     
     
         4 . A bone holding device according to  claim 2 , wherein the compression member is spring-mounted to the rod by means of a spring which urges the compression member toward the clamping surfaces of the rod, the first and second portions of the elongated member being clamped between the compression member and the rod when the compression member is urged. 
     
     
         5 . A bone holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression member is deformable, the first and second portions of the elongated member being clamped between the compression member and the rod by deforming said compression member. 
     
     
         6 . A bone holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression member comprises:
 a compression part which is configured to be inserted, at least partially, into said passage, and   at least one leg extending from said compression part and being configured so that the compression member can be clipped onto the rod.   
     
     
         7 . A bone holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner surfaces are deformable, the first and second portions of the elongated member being clamped between the compression member and the rod by deforming said inner surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . A bone holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression member and the rod are one single piece. 
     
     
         9 . A bone holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions of the elongated member are provided with a stiff tip. 
     
     
         10 . A bone holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression member is provided with protrusions on its clamping surfaces. 
     
     
         11 . A bone holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions of the elongated member are provided with protrusions. 
     
     
         12 . A bone holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rod comprises at least one portion provided with one transverse passage, said portion having a section which is larger than the average section of the rod. 
     
     
         13 . A bone holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein said passage and the compression member are configured to clamp both the first and second portions of the elongated member in this passage. 
     
     
         14 . A bone holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rod comprises at least two transverse passages which are spaced from each other along the main axis. 
     
     
         15 . A bone holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein said passage has an elongate cross-section, more particularly an oval or oblong cross-section, with the longer dimension of the cross-section being essentially parallel to the main axis. 
     
     
         16 . A method for holding a bone in position, comprising the steps of:
 providing a bone holding device according to  claim 1 ;   passing the intermediate portion of a first elongated member around a first bony structure and the first and second portions of the first elongated member through a first passage of the rod;   applying tension to the first elongated member by pulling on its ends;   fastening the first elongated member to the rod by clamping the first and second portions of the first elongated member between a first compression member and the rod.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of:
 passing the intermediate portion of a second elongated member around a second bony structure and the first and second portions of the second elongated member through a second passage of said rod;   applying tension to the second elongated member by pulling on its ends;   fastening the second elongated member to said rod by clamping the first and second portions of the second elongated member between a second compression member and the rod.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein said first bony structure is a vertebra. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein said first and second bony structures are a vertebra.