Sternal closure technique and kit for performing same
First Claim
1. A sternum closure kit, comprising in combination:
- a plurality of staples for being driven into split-halves of a sternum; and
a plurality of wire sutures for being installed transsternally, said sutures having a cross-sectional diameter D;
said staples each having a back portion and a pair of prongs, each of said prongs extending downwardly from a respective end of said back portion, each of said prongs extending in a respective direction, said directions being substantially parallel to each other, each of said prongs terminating in a respective pointed end, said staples being formed such that a force in the range 40 to 800 N applied downwardly at a central point of said back portion causes said back portion to bow downwardly by a distance substantially equal to D.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved method of reducing and stabilizing the sternum after a sternotomy includes fixing a staple at the anterior surface of the sternum adjacent to each outlet for trans-sternal wire sutures. The staples are applied to the sternal halves to reinforce the bone adjacent to the suture outlets so as to prevent the suture from cutting into the bone. As each suture loop is tightened to adapt the sternum, the suture loop abuts the staples adjacent the suture outlets. The staples are deformed under force applied by the suture loop to indicate that the loop has been tightened to an optimum degree. A sterile surgical staple gun is employed to install the staples in the sternal halves. A kit for performing the improved sternal reduction procedure includes a pre-sterilized staple gun loaded with surgical staples, as well as suture/needle assemblies.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A sternum closure kit, comprising in combination:
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a plurality of staples for being driven into split-halves of a sternum; and a plurality of wire sutures for being installed transsternally, said sutures having a cross-sectional diameter D; said staples each having a back portion and a pair of prongs, each of said prongs extending downwardly from a respective end of said back portion, each of said prongs extending in a respective direction, said directions being substantially parallel to each other, each of said prongs terminating in a respective pointed end, said staples being formed such that a force in the range 40 to 800 N applied downwardly at a central point of said back portion causes said back portion to bow downwardly by a distance substantially equal to D. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11)
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8. A sternum closure kit, comprising in combination:
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a sterilized staple gun containing a plurality of sterilized staples; and a plurality of sterilized suture and needle assemblies; wherein said staples are separate from said suture and needle assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of stabilizing the sternum of a patient after surgery in which the sternum is split, the method comprising the steps of:
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penetrating the anterior surface of the sternum to form an outlet for a suture; fixing a staple in the anterior surface of the sternum adjacent to said outlet; and securing free ends of said suture relative to each other in a manner such that said suture abuts said staple. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification