Patent ID: 7160285

Claim:
A ligament strand tensioner comprising: a frame member for slidingly retaining loops of suture strands extending from ligament strands, and having an annular collar portion defining a central axis extending therethrough, and having rails defining grooves for the retaining of the strands, the grooves extending transversely of the collar portion central axis; a cylindrically-shaped tube on which the collar portion is mounted; a base member fixed on said tube; and a handle connected to said tube; the collar portion being tiltingly movable on said base member when manipulation of said handle, to pull the suture strands on said frame member taut, causes said base member to engage the collar portion; wherein proximal axial movement of said frame member effects application of the tension on the strands; and the sliding retention of the suture strands and the tilting movement of the collar portion provide substantial equalization of tension in the ligament strands.