Patent ID: 8469966

Claim:
A tensioning device for an orthopedic surgical cable, wherein the orthopedic surgical cable is adapted to be installed relative to a bone in a patient, comprising: a handheld body capable of receiving a portion of the orthopedic surgical cable, having a cable input opening and a cable output end, the handheld body comprising a clamping body adapted to restrain a first portion of the orthopedic surgical cable with an adjustable gripping force; wherein the clamping body is a collet that defines an opening for receiving the orthopedic surgical cable such that the opening substantially surrounds the first portion of the orthopedic surgical cable; wherein the opening in the clamping body is adjustable such that at least a portion of the opening can be narrowed to engage the clamping body around the first portion of the orthopedic surgical cable; an adjusting mechanism adapted to at least narrow the opening in the clamping body to engage the clamping body around the first portion of the orthopedic surgical cable; a slide adapted to change the position of the clamping body relative to the handheld body, wherein a working length of the slide fits within the handheld body, and wherein the slide has a series of alternating notches and teeth; a force application member operably interfacing with the slide over said working length, wherein the force application member has a protrusion adapted to engage the notches between the teeth of the slide, wherein the slide is adapted to be manipulated in order to change the position of the clamping body in a manner whereby a tension force on the orthopedic surgical cable is subject to gradual control by manipulation of the slide and force application member; a slide return spring; a release mechanism adapted to cooperate with the slide and to resist the force of the slide return spring in order to control and maintain the position of the slide as the force application member advances along the slide, whereby the handheld body is adapted to allow the orthopedic surgical cable to be tensioned by the clamping body at a first tension, to be subsequently tensioned by the slide and force application member at a second tension without loss of tension while tensioning to the second tension.