Sternal reconstruction system

• US 20050240191A1
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Michels, Mark, Goheen, Christopher, Albertson, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,055,984 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/75
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8076 for the ribs or the sternum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/823 for the sternum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/842 Flexible wires, bands or straps A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/864 hollow, e.g. with socket or cannulated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8861 Apparatus for manipulating flexible wires or straps devices for inserting Kirschner wires A61B17/1697
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8869 Tensioning devices

Abstract

A sternal reconstruction system for securing parts of a sternum includes at least one flexible cable with a fused end fitting, at least one parallel fitting piece and at least one ferrule. Optionally, the system includes at least one cannulated screw. Circumferential or parasternal fixation may be brought about by use of the sternal reconstruction system. Also provided is a method for sternal reconstruction utilizing the sternal reconstruction system. Also provided is a kit for sternal reconstruction.

Claims

1. A sternal reconstruction system for securing parts of a sternum comprising:

a flexible cable having first and second ends;

a fused end fitting member;

a parallel fitting piece; and

a ferrule,

wherein the first end of the cable comprises a fused end fitting member.

2. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 1, wherein the fused end fitting member is attached to the first end of the cable by crimping

3. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 1, wherein the fused end fitting member comprises a preinstalled cylindrical end fitting having an upper surface and a lower surface, and having a diameter of from about 1 mm to about 5 mm and a length of from about 5 mm to about 20 mm.

4. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 3, wherein the fused end fitting member is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, alloys of titanium, stainless steel and resorbable materials.

5. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 3, wherein the upper surface of the fused end fitting member has rounded edges.

6. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 3, wherein the lower surface of the fused end fitting member is flat.

7. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 6, wherein the lower surface of the fused end fitting member is designed to mate with an end surface of the parallel fitting piece.

8. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 1, wherein the parallel fitting piece is a flattened cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, a long cross-sectional axis and a short cross-sectional axis.

9. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 8, wherein the first and second ends of the parallel fitting piece are parallel to each other.

10. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 8, wherein at least one side having a long cross-sectional axis L is crimped along its length so as to provide two adjacent parallel channels through the parallel fitting piece.

11. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 8, wherein the parallel fitting piece is from about 3 mm to about 15 mm in length, the long cross-sectional axis is from about 3 mm to about 8 mm, and the short cross-sectional axis is from about 1 mm to about 5 mm.

12. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 10, wherein both sides having a long cross-sectional axis L are crimped along their lengths so as to provide two adjacent parallel channels through the parallel fitting piece, the channels having the same aperture and cross-section.

13. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 10, wherein each channel has a diameter of from about 0.7 mm to about 2.5 mm.

14. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 8, wherein the parallel fitting piece is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of, titanium, alloys of titanium, stainless steel and resorbable materials.

15. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 1, further comprising at least one cannulated screw.

16. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 15, wherein the at least one cannulated screw is selected from the group consisting of a locking and a non-locking screw.

17. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 15, wherein the at least one cannulated screw is at least partially threaded for attachment to bone.

18. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 15, wherein the at least one cannulated screw is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, alloys of titanium, stainless steel and resorbable materials.

19. The sternal reconstruction system of claim 15, wherein the at least one cannulated screw comprises a head which comprises a hollow aperture, wherein the hollow aperture is sized and shaped so as to accommodate the fused end fitting member.

20. A method for sternal reconstruction, comprising the steps of:

passing a flexible cable having a first and a second end through one channel of a parallel fitting piece having two channels;

wrapping the flexible cable around the sternum;

passing the flexible cable through the second channel of the parallel fitting piece;

tensioning the flexible cable to a desired tension; and

securing the tensioned cable,

wherein the first end of the flexible cable comprises a fused end fitting member, and is designed to mate with an end surface of the parallel fitting piece.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the tensioned cable is secured by crimping a ferrule onto the flexible cable.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the inner diameter of the ferrule comprises a sharp edge in order to facilitate the cutting of the flexible cable during crimping of the ferrule onto the flexible cable.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the tensioned cable is secured by crimping a ferrule onto the flexible cable, the ferrule being situated at one end of the parallel fitting piece and the fused end fitting member being situated at the other end of the parallel fitting piece.

24. A method for sternal reconstruction, comprising the steps of:

attaching at least one cannulated screw into the sternum;

feeding a flexible cable having first and second ends through the lumen of the at least one cannulated screw;

passing the flexible cable through one channel of a parallel fitting piece having two channels;

wrapping the flexible cable around the sternum;

passing the flexible cable through the second channel of the parallel fitting piece;

tensioning the flexible cable to a desired tension; and

securing the tensioned cable,

wherein the first end of the flexible cable comprises a fused end fitting member, and is designed to mate with an end surface of the parallel fitting piece.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the tensioned cable is secured by crimping a ferrule onto the flexible cable.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the inner diameter of the ferrule comprises a sharp edge in order to facilitate the cutting of the flexible cable during crimping of the ferrule onto the flexible cable.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the tensioned cable is secured by crimping a ferrule onto the flexible cable, the ferrule being situated at one end of the parallel fitting piece and the fused end fitting member being situated at the other end of the parallel fitting piece.

28. A sternal reconstruction kit comprising:

at least one flexible cable;

at least one parallel fitting piece; and

at least one ferrule,

wherein the first end of the flexible cable comprises a fused end fitting member, and is designed to mate with an end surface of the parallel fitting piece.

29. The sternal reconstruction kit of claim 28, wherein at least one flexible cable is attached to a suture.

30. The sternal reconstruction kit of claim 28, wherein the inner diameter of the at least one ferrule comprises a sharp edge in order to facilitate the cutting of the flexible cable during crimping of the ferrule onto the flexible cable.

31. The sternal reconstruction kit of claim 28, further comprising at least one cannulated screw;

wherein the first end of the flexible cable comprises a fused end fitting member, and is designed to mate with an end surface of the parallel fitting piece.

32. The sternal reconstruction kit of claim 31, wherein at least one flexible cable is attached to a suture.

33. The sternal reconstruction kit of claim 31, wherein the inner diameter of the at least one ferrule comprises a sharp edge in order to facilitate the cutting of the flexible cable during crimping of the ferrule onto the flexible cable.