Depuy Synthes Products, Inc.

Synthes Gmbh

Stefan Knueppel

Raymond Schmitt

Rudolf Koch

Arthur T Martella

A bone fixation system includes at least one bone fixation member and a bone fixation instrument. The bone fixation member includes a strap and a locking mechanism. The strap can be pulled through the locking mechanism so as to form a loop about a target bone so as to secure first and second bone segments in an approximated, compressed configuration. The bone fixation instrument is configured to apply tension to the loop about the target bone. The fixation instrument includes a tension assembly that is configured to secure a free end of the bone fixation member to the fixation instrument. The tension assembly is further configured to pull the free end so as to increase tension in the loop while the tension in the loop is less than a select tension. The tension assembly is unable to further increase tension in the bone fixation member once the tension in the bone fixation member has reached the select tension. The fixation instrument further includes a cutter assembly that is configured to cut the free end of the bone fixation member so as to separate the free end from the loop.

Bone fixation assembly

A bone fixation member can be configured to secure first and second bone segments of a target bone together in a compressed approximated position. The bone fixation member can include a strap made of a first material, a locking head extending from a proximal end of the strap, and a leader portion extending from a distal end of the strap. The locking head can have a housing and a strap receiving slot that extends through the housing, slot is configured to receive a distal end of the strap. The housing can be tapered such that a distal end of the housing has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of a proximal end of the housing. The leader portion can be configured to be more flexible than the strap. The leader portion can be made of a second material that is different than the first material.

Bone fixation member systems and methods of use

A bone fixation system includes at least one bone fixation member and a bone fixation instrument. The bone fixation member includes a strap and a locking mechanism. The strap can be pulled through the locking mechanism so as to form a loop about a target bone so as to secure first and second bone segments in an approximated, compressed configuration. The bone fixation instrument is configured to apply tension to the loop about the target bone. The fixation instrument includes a tension assembly that is configured to secure a free end of the bone fixation member to the fixation instrument. The tension assembly is further configured to pull the free end so as to increase tension in the loop while the tension in the loop is less than a select tension. The fixation instrument further includes a cutter assembly.

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Oberdorf, Switzerland

Stefan Knueppel