Methods and apparatus for clamping surgical wires or cables

Abstract

Abstract A device for clamping cables or wires or other elongate members used in surgical fastening procedures includes a generally cylindrical housing having a bore for receiving a cable. A saddle member is movably mounted with respect to the housing and includes a saddle jaw that may selectively be moved into engagement with a cable disposed in the bore. A cam lever having a cam surface engages a cam support surface on the housing for actuating the saddle member and thereby selectively clamping the cable. The saddle jaw cooperates with a housing jaw on the housing for redirecting the cable into an undulating path when the cam lever is moved to a clamping position. The cam lever is provided with multiple facets dimensioned to provide optimum clamping force to different sized cables. The facets also provide a positive tactile indication to a user that the cam lever is in one of multiple clamping positions. The clamp advantageously applies a clamping force to the cable through the saddle and without direct contact between the cam lever and the cable, thereby reducing abrasion and shear forces applied to the cable as compared to prior art devices. The clamp is also provided with releasable couplings for selective attachment to a cable guide assembly and a tensioning tool.

Inventors

• 👤 Jeffrey L. Trudeau
• 👤 Thomas S. Kilpela

Bibliographic Details