Patent ID: 6616667
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical instrument for tensioning a tension element, comprising a manually actuatable lever system with first and second actuation levers and a third lever connecting the first and second levers, the first lever having a laying-in opening and the second and third levers forming a clamping gap for receiving the tensioning element in the opening and the gap when the lever system is in a basic position, the third lever being asymmetrical, having only one side plate, and including a first clamping jaw component forming a U-shaped passage with a base surface defining a portion of the clamping gap, journalling bolts defining first and second lever joints, a single spring secured to the third lever, the spring having first and second limbs in contact with respective inner flanks of the first and second levers under a mechanical stress urging the flanks apart and the lever system into the basic position, the second lever having a second clamping jaw component which cooperates with the first clamping jaw component and extends into the U-shaped passage to define another portion of the clamping gap, a separately insertable abutment pin acting between the second and the third lever for preventing the spring from moving the lever system beyond the basic position, and a measuring device associated with one of the first and second levers for measuring a tensile force acting on the tension element.