Sternum closure device

• US 20090234358A1
• Filed: 03/09/2009
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aesculap AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Aesculap AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Weisshaupt, Dieter, Morales, Pedro, Dworschak, Manfred, Lutze, Theodor
• Granted Patent: US 8,133,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8076 for the ribs or the sternum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/809 with bone-penetrating elements, e.g. blades or prongs bone staples A61B17/0642; intramedullary nails with a plate at an end A61B17/7233
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/823 for the sternum
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/10 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 27/18 Homopolymers or copolymers or tetrafluoroethene

Abstract

In a sternum closure device for fixing two sternum portions to be connected to one another, comprising an inner contact element for abutment on the inner surface of the sternum, at least one clamping element fixed to this contact element and projecting transversely from it and at least one outer contact element for abutment on the outer side of the sternum which can be clamped against the inner contact element by means of the clamping element guided through the intermediate space between the sternum portions, it is suggested in order to hinder the separation of the sternum as little as possible during any renewed operation that the inner contact element consist of two parts which are separate from one another and each of which is designed to abut on one of the two sternum portions and that connecting means be provided for the releasable connection of the two parts arranged next to one another.

Claims

1. Sternum closure device for fixing two sternum portions to be joined to one another, comprising an inner contact element for abutment on the inner surface of the sternum, at least one clamping element being fixed to said contact element and projecting transversely from it and at least one outer contact element for abutment on the outer side of the sternum, said outer contact element being clampable against the inner contact element by means of the clamping element guided through the intermediate space between the sternum portions, wherein the inner contact element consists of two parts separate from one another, each of said parts being designed to abut on one of the two sternum portions and wherein connecting elements are provided for the releasable connection of the two parts arranged next to one another.

2. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 1, wherein during abutment on the inner surface of the sternum portions each part has fixing projections penetrating said portions.

3. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 1, wherein the parts have an essentially flat contact surface for abutment on the inner surface of the sternum portions.

4. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 1, wherein the clamping elements are of a pin-shaped design.

5. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 1, wherein clamping elements are arranged on each of the two parts of the inner contact element and wherein the outer contact elements are each connected to clamping elements of both parts of the inner contact element such that the two parts of the inner contact element are held together by the outer contact element, located next to one another.

6. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 5, wherein the clamping elements are connected to the parts of the inner contact element in an area of the parts projecting in the direction towards the respectively other part and wherein these projecting areas of the parts of the inner contact element are offset relative to one another in longitudinal direction of the intermediate space between the sternum portions.

7. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 6, wherein the projecting areas are of a triangular design and are connected to the clamping element in the area of the tip of the triangle.

8. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 5, wherein a plurality of clamping elements are arranged on each of the two parts of the inner contact element so as to follow one another in longitudinal direction of the intermediate space between the sternum portions.

9. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 8, wherein a plurality of outer contact elements are provided, each of said contact elements being connected to a clamping element of both the one and the other parts of the inner contact element.

10. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 1, wherein the two parts of the inner contact element have areas abutting areally on one another and wherein the connecting elements releasably connect the two parts to one another in these areas.

11. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 10, wherein the two parts are screwed to one another by threaded screws.

12. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 11, wherein the threaded screws are formed by the clamping elements.

13. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 10, wherein the two parts of the inner contact element have prong-like projections on the sides facing the respectively other part and wherein these prong-like projections are offset relative to one another in longitudinal direction of the intermediate space between the sternum portions and engage in one another in such a manner that the prong-like projections of the one part engage under the respectively other part.

14. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 10, wherein one of the two parts of the inner contact element has prong-like projections on its side facing the other part, said projections dipping into recesses in the other part and engaging beneath the other part.

15. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 10, wherein the inner contact element is connected to two clamping elements offset in longitudinal direction of the intermediate space between the sternum portions.

16. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 1, wherein the contact elements are coated with a material preventing the bonding to bone material.

17. Sternum closure device as defined in claim 16, wherein the contact elements are coated with polytetrafluoroethylene.