Kit for sternum fixation in chest surgery

• US 6,200,318 B1
• Filed: 04/17/2000
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TECHNION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, LTD.
• Original Assignee: TECHNION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, LTD.
• Inventors: Ammar, Roni, Tormala, Pertti, Har-Shai, Yaron
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): REIP, DAVID OWEN
• Application Number:
  US09/403,064
• Time in Patent Office: 330 Days
• Field of Search: 606/74, 606/77, 606/102, 606/103, 606/105, 606/139, 606/142, 606/157, 606/213, 606/215, 606/216, 606/218, 140/123.5, 140/123.6
• US Class Current: 606/74
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/823 for the sternum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8861 Apparatus for manipulating flexible wires or straps devices for inserting Kirschner wires A61B17/1697
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8866 for gripping or pushing bones, e.g. approximators joint distractors A61B17/025
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8869 Tensioning devices

Abstract

A tool kit for use in the inducement of the reconstitution and healing of the sternum after an operation on a patient in the chest region in which during the operation the sternum is cut into two hemisterna. The kit serves for the post-operational approximation and fixation of the hemisterna in a position which enables their spontaneous growing together. The kit includes an approximation tool for the application of a selected force to the hemisterna to brig them into reconstituted configuration, and a set of clamping apparatus for firmly locking the hemisterna in the reconstituted configuration. The clamping apparatus is made of a non-immunogenic polymeric material that is readily degraded in the patient'"'"'s body to yield degradation products readily absorbed by the patient'"'"'s body.

Claims

1. A tool kit for the approximation and fixation of the hemisterna in a position which enables their spontaneous growing together after an operation in which the sternum is cut into two hemisterna, said tool kit comprising:

(i) an approximator tool for the application of a selected force to the hemisterna to bring them into a reconstituted configuration, wherein said approximator tool comprises a gauge for measuring said force; and

(ii) a set of clamps designed for firmly locking the hemisterna in said reconstituted configuration, said clamps comprising a non-immunogenic polymeric material that is readily degraded in the patient'"'"'s body to yield degradation products readily absorbed by the patient'"'"'s body.

2. A tool kit according to claim 1, wherein said approximator tool is designed to hold and tighten the clamps whereby the operations of approximation and clamping are combined.

3. A tool kit according to claim 1, wherein said approximator tool is designed for bringing together the hemisterna into a reconstituted configuration and the clamps are applied separately.

4. A tool kit according to claim 1, wherein said clamp is a flexible member selected from the group consisting of:

flexible bands, belts and straps.

5. A tool kit according to claim 4, wherein said clamp is corrugated and comprises a buckle for threading across a portion of said flexible member, wherein said buckle is capable of gripping a part of said flexible member accommodated therein.

6. A tool kit according to claim 1, comprising an approximator tool having in combination:

an assembly of two handles pivoted to each other and biased into a spread state;

a groove for accommodating a length of a flexible corrugated clamp; and

a butt capable of engaging said flexible corrugated clamp within said groove.

7. A tool kit according to claim 1, wherein said clamp is rigid with a measure of resilience.

8. A tool kit according to claim 1, wherein said approximator is scissors-like with gripping ends.

9. A tool kit according to claim 1, wherein said approximator is forceps-like, having arms with end portions capable each to hold a solid hemi-clamp.