Patent ID: 8333767

Claim:
A cerclage device comprising a base member, a cerclage member, and a drive member, wherein: (I) the base member has: a length sufficient to allow for manual holding by a user, an interior space extending from a distal end toward a proximal end, and a slot extending from the distal end toward the proximal end and connecting the interior space to the exterior, (II) the cerclage member is non-cannulated, has a long side with a proximal end and a distal end, and a curvature in one direction about its long side at least at the distal end, wherein the cerclage member fits within and is straightened by the base member within the interior space when in a retracted position, and wherein when in an extended curved position the distal end of the cerclage member is extended out of the interior space at the distal end of the base member, the cerclage member comprising means for attaching a suture, and (III) the drive member has an engagement portion, is attached or attachable to the cerclage member, and is disposed at least partially through the slot and is slidable within the slot, wherein during operation of the cerclage device when the drive member is attached to the cerclage member movement of the drive member in the slot in first direction pushes the cerclage member from a straightened position to the extended curved position and movement of the drive member in the slot in a second direction opposite the first direction pulls the cerclage member from the extended curved position to the straightened position.