Sternum closure apparatus and method for helping maintain a space between parts of the sternum
First Claim
1. An apparatus for maintaining a predetermined distance between two parts of a severed sternum of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
- an elongate member having a length approximately equal to the length of the sternum, the elongate member having longitudinal edges dimensioned and configured to extend between and space apart the two parts of the severed sternum the predetermined distance; and
means for securing the elongate member to each of the two parts of the severed sternum.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) maintains a desired distance between two parts (5, 6) of a severed sternum of a patient. The apparatus (10) includes an elongate member (20), such as a plastic or surgical steel plate, and an element (60) for securing the elongate member (20) to each of the two parts (5, 6) of the severed sternum. The elongate member (20) has longitudinal edges (32, 34) dimensioned and configured to space apart the two parts (5, 6) of the severed sternum the desired distance. When implanted, the two parts (5, 6) of the severed sternum engage the longitudinal edges (32, 34) of the elongate member (20) to maintain the desired distance between such parts.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for maintaining a predetermined distance between two parts of a severed sternum of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongate member having a length approximately equal to the length of the sternum, the elongate member having longitudinal edges dimensioned and configured to extend between and space apart the two parts of the severed sternum the predetermined distance; and
means for securing the elongate member to each of the two parts of the severed sternum. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for helping maintain a space between adjacent parts of a patient'"'"'s skeletal structure, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongate body portion having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the body portion further having a first lateral edge portion and a second lateral edge portion opposite the first lateral edge portion, the body portion further having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface;
at least one shaft extending outwardly from the upper surface of the body portion; and
a retaining element for securing the body portion relative to at least one of the adjacent parts, the retaining element being moveable along the shaft to a provide a desired fixed distance between the retaining element and the body portion, the retaining element being adapted to engage an upper surface of the at least one of the adjacent parts of the patient'"'"'s skeletal structure; and
at least one projection extending from the lower surface of the body portion and dimensioned and configured for engaging a lower surface of the at least one of the adjacent parts the patient'"'"'s skeletal structure. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for maintaining a post-closure space of a longitudinally severed sternum of a patient, the method comprising:
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positioning an elongate member between opposite parts of the longitudinally severed sternum;
closing the longitudinally severed sternum such that the opposite parts of the longitudinally severed sternum each engages an opposite edge of the elongate member; and
securing the elongate member relative to at least one of the opposite parts of the severed sternum such that a lateral dimension of the elongate member provides the post-closure space, thereby providing an increase in volume for the patient'"'"'s chest cavity. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification