Patent ID: 8721645

Claim:
A method for engaging a bone, comprising: providing a clamping body having a loop passage passing through a first exterior surface and an exit passage passing through a second exterior surface different from the first exterior surface, and a conformable ligature having a first end, a first end portion extending from the first end to a first loop portion, a second end, and a second end portion extending from the second end to a second loop portion; positioning the first end portion and the second end portion of the conformable ligature through the clamping body such that the first loop portion and the second loop portion extend from the loop passage of the clamping body to form a loop between the first end portion of the conformable ligature and the second end portion of the conformable ligature, at least one of the first end and the second end of the conformable ligature extending from the exit passage of the clamping body; and engaging a locking member with an engagement portion of the clamping body to press the first end portion of the flexible ligature against the second end portion of the flexible ligature within the clamping body to prevent significant movement of the conformable ligature relative to the clamping body without securing the conformable ligature against a spinal rod.