Sternal Closure Device and Method of Using Same

• US 20080140128A1
• Filed: 12/10/2007
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimax Medical Management Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Trimax Medical Management Incorporated
• Inventors: Gombar, Paul, Suarez, Joseph, Griffith, Richard, Smisson, Hugh F., Field, David C., Bohleber, Brandi
• Granted Patent: US 8,372,123 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/280
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8076 for the ribs or the sternum

Abstract

A sternal closure device is provided, comprising a first plate having a bone fixation region with at least one countersunk aperture for receiving a fastening means for affixing the first plate to one side of the sternum, and a locking region with at least one protruding aligning member; a second plate having a bone fixation region with at least one countersunk aperture for receiving a fastening means for affixing the second plate to the opposite side of the sternum, and a locking region dimensioned to contact at least a portion of the locking region of the first plate; and a rotating member that engages with the aligning member(s) on the first plate for holding the first and second plates together to secure the opposite sides of the sternum. The first and second plates can be separated by reversibly disengaging the rotating member from the aligning member(s).

Claims

3-1. The device of claim 1, wherein said first plate comprises two aligning members.

11. A sternal closure device for securing sides of a sternum across a fracture comprising:

a) a lower plate having a bone fixation region with at least one countersunk aperture for receiving a fastening means for affixing said plate to one side of the sternum, and a locking region with at least one protruding aligning member;

b) an upper plate having a bone fixation region with at least one countersunk aperture for receiving a fastening means for affixing said plate to opposite side of the sternum, and an attached aperture dimensioned to overlap with at least a portion of said locking region of said lower plate; and

c) a rotating member having at least one aperture dimensioned to engage with said protruding aligning member, wherein said rotating member holds said lower and upper plates together to secure opposite sides of the sternum when rotated in a first direction, further wherein said rotating member can be removed and said lower and upper plates separated by reversely rotating said rotating member to disengage said rotating member from said aligning member.

12. A method of treating a sternal fracture comprising adhering to a patient the sternal closure device of claim 11.

13. A method of treating a sternal fracture using the sternal closure device of claim 11, the method comprising:

a) affixing said lower plate to one side of the sternum using said fastening means through said at least one countersunk aperture;

b) affixing said upper plate to opposite side of the sternum using said fastening means through said at least one countersunk aperture; and

c) holding said first and second plates together by engaging said rotating member with said at least one aligning member on said first plate.