Bone tie and bone tie inserter

Abstract

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 The bone tie can be configured to pivot and/or rotate as the bone tie retriever is withdrawn.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 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A bone tie system comprising:
 a bone tie advancer comprising:
 a bone tie advancer shaft; and 
 an advancer portion configured to guide a rounded head of a bone tie; 
   a bone tie retriever comprising:
 a bone tie retriever shaft; 
 a retriever portion configured to receive the rounded head of the bone tie, wherein the rounded head of the bone tie is configured to pivot and/or rotate within the retriever portion; and 
 a catcher mechanism configured to facilitate retention of the rounded head of the bone tie within the retriever portion, wherein the catcher mechanism is configured to be actuated by sliding a catch distally. 
   
     
     
         22 . The bone tie system of  claim 21 , further comprising the bone tie. 
     
     
         23 . The bone tie system of  claim 21 , wherein the bone tie retriever comprises a lumen coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the bone tie retriever. 
     
     
         24 . The bone tie system of  claim 21 , wherein the bone tie retriever comprises a lateral opening extending along a portion of the circumference of the retriever portion. 
     
     
         25 . The bone tie system of  claim 24 , wherein the catch is configured to slide within the lateral opening. 
     
     
         26 . The bone tie system of  claim 21 , wherein the catch comprises a curved end. 
     
     
         27 . The bone tie system of  claim 21 , wherein the catch is configured to slide with a pin and groove arrangement. 
     
     
         28 . The bone tie system of  claim 21 , wherein the catch is configured to slide linearly. 
     
     
         29 . A bone tie system comprising:
 a bone tie comprising a rounded head;   a bone tie retriever comprising:
 a shaft; 
 a retriever portion configured to receive the rounded head of the bone tie, wherein the rounded head of the bone tie is configured to pivot and/or rotate within the retriever portion; and 
 a catcher mechanism configured to facilitate retention of the rounded head of the bone tie within the retriever portion, wherein the catcher mechanism is configured to be actuated by sliding a catch distally. 
   
     
     
         30 . The bone tie system of  claim 29 , wherein the bone tie retriever comprises a central lumen extending along a longitudinal axis of the bone tie retriever. 
     
     
         31 . The bone tie system of  claim 30 , wherein the catcher mechanism comprises an alignment block configured to slide within the central lumen. 
     
     
         32 . The bone tie system of  claim 29 , wherein the bone tie retriever comprises a lateral opening shaped to allow entry of the rounded head of the bone tie. 
     
     
         33 . The bone tie system of  claim 32 , wherein the catch is configured to slide within the lateral opening. 
     
     
         34 . The bone tie system of  claim 29 , wherein the catch is configured to slide as a pin slides along a groove. 
     
     
         35 . The bone tie system of  claim 29 , wherein the bone tie comprises a fastener section configured to be secured to another section of the bone tie. 
     
     
         36 . The bone tie system of  claim 29 , wherein the bone tie comprises a fastener section configured to allow the bone tie to be secured in a single direction of travel. 
     
     
         37 . A bone tie system comprising:
 a bone tie retriever comprising:
 a shaft; 
 a retriever portion configured to receive a rounded head of a bone tie, wherein the rounded head of the bone tie is configured to pivot and/or rotate within the retriever portion; and 
 a catcher mechanism configured to facilitate retention of the rounded head of the bone tie within the retriever portion, wherein the catcher mechanism is configured to be actuated by sliding a catch distally. 
   
     
     
         38 . The bone tie system of  claim 37 , wherein the catch is configured to slide along a linear path. 
     
     
         39 . The bone tie system of  claim 37 , wherein a pin slides within a groove as the catch slides. 
     
     
         40 . The bone tie system of  claim 37 , further comprising the bone tie.