Patent ID: 8685026

Claim:
A release mechanism to release tension on a surgical tether comprising: a body adapted to receive the tether including a first section defining a first axis and comprising an aperture extending substantially perpendicular to the first axis, the body including a second section defining a second axis and comprising an aperture extending substantially perpendicular to the second axis, the first and second sections being connected to one another by a bend portion continuous with the first and second sections, the apertures being configured for disposal of the tether, each aperture including a contact edge configured to engage the tether, the bend portion comprising a flexible material such that the bend portion flexes to adjust a distance between the contact edges and a relative angle between the first and second sections in response to force applied to the tether; the body configured to move in response to force applied to the tether, the body moves between a locked position and a release position, the locked position includes the first section positioned at a first angle relative to the second section and the contact edges positioned a first distance apart to engage the tether and prevent the tether from moving through the body, the release position includes the second section positioned at a different second angle relative to the second section and the contact edges being positioned a second distance apart to allow the tether to move through the body; the body being biased towards the locked position.