120 results about "Breast bone" patented technology

A sternum fixation device for securing parts of a sternum includes first and second removably associated plates. The first plate has an upper surface and a sternum-contacting surface, and at least one hole passing through both of these surfaces for receiving a fastener head. The second plate has at least one attachment member for fixation to the sternum. A release member holds the first and second plates together, and is movably associated with at least one of the first and second plates such that it may be moved to allow separation of the two parts of the sternum.

A surgical device for capturing, positioning and aligning portions of a horizontally severed human sternum via positioning around each of a paired set of ribs located on opposite sides of the severed sternum while simultaneously contacting and substantially surrounding the anterior and posterior portions of the sternum comprising impermanently joined insertion and insertion guide attachment members, each of the members having first and second end portions, first and second side portions, a body portion, anterior and posterior surfaces, two crescent formed leg portions with angularly displaced foot portions, a plurality of sternum, rib and costal cartilage engagement surfaces and, a rotary lock member pivotally attached to the insertion guide member, and further comprising a capturing mechanism having angularly displaced teeth-like structures on a first side cooperating with reciprocating teeth like structures integrated on a first side of the insertion member to position, secure in place and operatively combine the insertion member, rotary lock and insertion guide members.

A sternal reconstruction system for securing parts of a sternum includes at least one flexible cable with crimp fitting, at least one cannulated screw and at least one reconstruction plate. Circumferential or parasternal fixation may be brought about by use of a sternal reconstruction system including a flexible cable and crimp fitting alone; a sternal reconstruction system including a flexible cable, crimp fitting and cannulated screws; or a system including a flexible cable, crimp fitting, cannulated screws and one or more reconstruction plates. The reconstruction plates are typically planar, having an upper and a lower surface, and containing generally perpendicular and transverse plate holes. The generally perpendicular plate holes are countersunk to better accommodate the heads of the cannulated bone screws. Also provided is a kit for sternal reconstruction.

A sternum fixation device for securing parts of a sternum includes first and second removably associated plates. The first plate has an upper surface and a sternum-contacting surface, and at least one hole passing through both of these surfaces for receiving a fastener head. The second plate has at least one attachment member for fixation to the sternum. A release member holds the first and second plates together, and is movably associated with at least one of the first and second plates such that it may be moved to allow separation of the two parts of the sternum.

A sternal closure clamp for securing and retaining longitudinally divided halves of a sternum, the clamp having a pair of body members each having a pair of engagement members, a pair of guide beam members affixed to a first of the body members and extending through a second of the body members, the guide beam members having an I-beam cross-sectional configuration, and a threaded rod member retained by the first body member and passing through the second body member, whereby rotation of the rod member in a first direction increases the distance between the body members and rotation in a second direction decreases the distance between the body members.

A needle driving apparatus for sternal closure following sternotomy. Accessory elements include: 1) a straight surgical needle absent attached suture and 2) a separate suture carrying small cylinders at opposing ends. Apparatus provides a dual capability of 1) needle penetration of sternum from top surface and 2) precise positioning of cylinder at undersurface of sternum. The apparatus is a handled framework supporting a rachet type drive assembly which includes a lever, a pawl, biasing springs and a toothed arm which carries a needle. A framework extension carries a socketed fixture. The fixture precisely positions a cylinder and its suture in the socket. When the lever is taken up by hand, motion is imparted to the arm and needle. The needle penetrates the sternum, then the cylinder, where it becomes locked therein by friction. Retrograde extraction of needle (using a conventional needle driver) delivers the suture by shuttle action to its desired position, atop the sternum. Repetition on the procedure described, on the opposing side of the sternum completes the placement of a single suture.

A sternum closure device for securing parts of severed sternum, such as a human sternum following surgery. The device includes an anvil, capable of forming staples, a bracket positioned, opposite the anvil, an instrument for creating openings in the sternum a clamping mechanism and a mechanism for feeding, mounting and applying the staples. The bracket is joined with the anvil through a displacement mechanism. The instrument for forming opening is designed as a bit brace having a reducing gear and two chucks, to enable concurrent drilling of openings in both severed parts of the severed sternum. The mechanism for feeding and mounting the staples comprises a ribbed bed, a cartridge containing staples and an instrument for mounting the staples. The clamping means enables drilling of openings in both severed parts of sternum, and feeding and mount the stables. Specially designed pincers are also provided for mounting the staples and other special staples.

A system for securing an implantable apparatus to a mammal includes a mount including a base portion having a plurality of holes dimensioned to receive rotationally-driven fasteners, each fastener comprising a helical portion having a tip configured for tissue penetration, the mount configured to secure the implantable apparatus relative to tissue of the mammal upon driving the fasteners into the tissue. The system further includes a fastening tool configured to rotationally drive the helical portion of the fasteners into the tissue. The mount may be secured to the fascia covering the sternum via a subcutaneous securement method, or it may be attached to the intra-abdominal wall, behind the sternum, or it may be attached to the sternum directly via bone screws or the like.

In a sternum closure device for securing two sternum parts to be connected to one another, comprising an inner contact element to abut the inner face of the sternum, at least one clamping element secured thereto and projecting transversely therefrom, and comprising an outer contact element for abutment on the outer side of the sternum and which can be clamped by means of the clamping element guided through the intermediate space between the sternum parts against the inner contact element, in order to reduce the obstruction by the sternum closure device in the event of a renewed separation of the sternum parts, it is proposed that the inner contact element consists at least partially of a biocompatible plastics material.

A sternum reinforcing device to be used after a sternotomy or a sternal fracture, made of a biocompatible material, comprises an elongated modular member (10) with a pair of legs (20, 30), that are joined each other by a body portion (4), and a pair of arms (6, 7). The legs (20, 30) can be fitted in an intercostal space of the thorax of a patient, laterally to the sternum, and can be bent in a mutually opposite direction, on the internal side of the thorax, after being fitted therein. The arms (6, 7), extending from one side to the other of the body portion (4) and orthogonally to the pair of legs (20, 30), constitute a male part and a female part, respectively, of a prismatic type coupling for consecutive modular members.

When closing the sternum in cardiothoracic surgery, elderly people with a fragile sternum can experience bleeding from the suture sites because of loose knots. The knots are loose because of the danger of cutting into the sternum from the tension caused by the suture wire. In extreme cases, the sternum can be fractured. If the closure is attempted intercostally, there are internal thoracic arteries that run longitudinally underneath the sternum and they may be hurt if a sharp needle is used. Intercostal fixation on its own is inadequate, and additional wires that directly insert into the manubrium are required. Of the sternal closure wires currently available, there is discordance in the numbers provided and actually used, resulting in leftovers that need unnecessary sterilization and reuse. To solve the above problems, an intercostal specific blunt needle has been devised, and packaged together with a sharp needle that will directly insert into the sternum. The set may contain one of each needle or a required combination of both, and come in a pre-sterilized pack. The needle is blunt at the cutting edge, and has a hook, or a side hole. The opposite end has a handle attached. The needle is configured so the wire can be hooked on, or threaded through the hook and hole respectively, and the operative procedure involves lifting up the wires.

An apparatus and method for accessing the bone marrow of a human's sternum is provided. The apparatus includes a tissue penetrator configured to penetrate the sternum, a trigger mechanism configured to engage when the tissue penetrator contacts the sternum and a depth control mechanism operable to limit the penetration of the tissue penetrator into the sternum to a pre-selected depth.

Cerclage system, including methods, devices, and kits, for stabilizing bone, such as a sternum. The cerclage system may include a wire or cable that encircles bone, and a bone plate to which segments of the wire or cable lock. The cerclage system also or alternatively may include a tensioner for applying tension to a wire or cable.

A surgical device for capturing, positioning and aligning portions of a severed human sternum via positioning around the costal cartilage portion of each of a paired set of ribs located on opposite sides of the severed sternum while simultaneously contacting and substantially surrounding the anterior and posterior portions of the sternum comprising impermanently joined insertion and insertion guide attachment members, each of the members having first and second end portions, first and second side portions, a body portion, anterior and posterior surfaces, two crescent formed leg portions with angularly displaced foot portions, a plurality of sternum, rib and costal cartilage engagement surfaces and, a rotary lock member pivotally attached to the insertion guide member, and further comprising a capturing mechanism having angularly displaced teeth-like structures on a first side cooperating with reciprocating teeth like structures integrated on a first side of the insertion member to position, secure in place and operatively combine the insertion member, rotary lock and insertion guide members.

A cervical collar comprising an inner and an outer region, a spinal support region, an occipital support region and a neck support region, said spinal support region including upper edges, lower edges, and side edges, a fastening strap affixed to said upper edge of spinal support region, a bridge member connecting occipital support region with spinal support region, said bridge member adapted to fold with a hinging means, said occipital support region including an upper edge, lower edges, a side edge, and anchoring strap affixed to said side edge, said neck support region including an upper edge, a side edge, and a sternum edge, said upper edge affixed with cooperating hooks, a dual adjustment system located on neck support region including tabs, female members, locking teeth, windows and bars, said tab affixed with said pawl, said pawl to engageably fit said locking teeth, said inner region comprising foam adhesively affixed to plastic, said inner region including a mandible support on neck support region, said mandible support adaptable to fold inwardly and outwardly by a hinging means.

A minimally invasive approach for surgery on portions of the heart and great vessels. A parasternal incision is made extending across a predetermined number of costal cartilages, e.g., a right parasternal incision extending from the lower edge of the second costal cartilage to the superior edge of the fifth costal cartilage. One or more costal cartilages, e.g., the third and fourth, are then excised to provide access to the portion of the heart or great vessels of interest, for example between a point approximately three centimeters above supra annular ridge and the mid ventricular cavity, and a desired procedure completed. A minimally invasive procedure for repair or replacement of the aortic valve is disclosed that includes making a transverse incision of about 10 cm in length over the second or third intercostal space in the thorax of the patient, dividing the sternum transversely following the incision, retracting the transversely divided sternum, exposing the ascending aorta, and incising the ascending aorta to provide access to an area adjacent the aortic valve.

An improved cervical collar comprised of an elongated neck encircling band, a chin support brace, a sternum and shoulder brace and an adjustment system secured to the sternum and shoulder brace and the elongated neck encircling band for adjusting the height of the sternum and shoulder brace in relation to the elongated neck encircling band. The adjustment system is designed to lock the sternum and shoulder brace in position preventing further extension of the sternum and shoulder brace in relation to the elongated neck encircling band as well as preventing retrograde movement of the sternum and shoulder brace in relation to the neck encircling band. The collar also comprises a positive alignment tracking system for maintaining the sternum and shoulder brace in parallel alignment with the elongated neck encircling band as the height of the sternum and shoulder brace is adjusted. In an alternative embodiment the sternum and shoulder brace is an integral part of the elongated neck encircling band and the chin support brace is secured to a chin support height adjustment piece which is slidably secured to the elongated neck encircling band such that the height of the elongated neck encircling band and the sternum and shoulder brace are adjustable together and independent from the chin support height adjustment piece.

A surgical device for capturing, positioning and aligning portions of a severed human sternum via positioning around the costal cartilage portion of each of a paired set of ribs located on opposite sides of the severed sternum while simultaneously contacting and substantially surrounding the anterior and posterior portions of the sternum comprising impermanently joined insertion and insertion guide attachment members, each of the members having first and second end portions, first and second side portions, a body portion, anterior and posterior surfaces, two crescent formed leg portions with angularly displaced foot portions, a plurality of sternum, rib and costal cartilage engagement surfaces and, a rotary lock member pivotally attached to the insertion guide member, and further comprising a capturing mechanism having angularly displaced teeth-like structures on a first side cooperating with reciprocating teeth like structures integrated on a first side of the insertion member to position, secure in place and operatively combine the insertion member, rotary lock and insertion guide members.

A vibrator for use in enhancement of pre-hospital coronary thrombolysis comprising a vibration source operable to generate vibration at a frequency in the range of 1-1000 Hz with at least a pair of oscillatory contacts spaced to enable simultaneous seating to the anatomic left and right of the sternum (such as to match the geometry of the right and left coronary arteries) of a patient in need of coronary thrombolysis. The preferred vibrator is operable to emit vibration in the low frequency sonic range (at least 20 Hz) with an amplitude of about 1 mm-15 mm (and more preferably greater than 2 mm), such as to provide an effective transthoracic tool for acute coronary thrombolysis applications. In a variation, greater than a pair of contacts are utilized to provide oscillatory contact at differing intercostal space levels (in order to maximize vibratory penetration to the heart which is variably situated depending on the patient's anatomy).

An implant for correcting pectus excavatum is disclosed, which comprises a chest correction bar (30) inserted into a body for lifting a depressed sternum and costal cartilages, and a stabilizer (40) for being inserted into a distal end of the chest correction bar (30) to prevent the chest correction bar from being rotated inside the body, wherein the chest correction bar (30) is formed at both jagged distal ends thereof with recesses (33) each of a predetermined length along the lengthwise direction of the chest correction bar (30), and wherein the stabilizer (40) comprises: two fixing plates (41, 41′) for being fixed to the body of a patient; a bridge (42) connecting the two fixing plates (41, 41′); two protruders (43, 43′) each generally opposed from the fixing plates (41, 41′) so as to be hitched by the recesses (33) at the distal ends of the chest correction bar (30) inserted from under the bridge (42), where there are formed two spaces (C) each of a predetermined size between the two protuders (43, 43′) and two lateral lengthwise surfaces of the bridge (42) so that the distal ends of the chest correction bar (30) can be inserted thereinto, thereby allowing the stabilizer (40) to be easily inserted into the chest correction bar (30), and once the insertion is made, pain and infection caused by stimulation on incised portions of a patient can be prevented.

The invention provides systems and methods for sternum repair. A sternum repair device may include a central body, which may include a plurality of male and female components, such that a suture extends from a male component and is received by the female component. The suture may wrap around the sternum and the device may be tightened to keep the separate sternum pieces together.

A wholly implantable non-natural heart for humans is a double pump configuration provided with two auricles and two ventricles. Both the said auricles and ventricles are driven by solenoid actuators interacting with high energy magnets; the auricles and ventricles which are hollow chambers are provided with one-way valves in the usual manner, for the purpose of effectively and rhythmically moving blood to and from the said chambers; power generation for driving said solenoid actuators, as well as an electronic control unit is accomplished by a power generating module which could be a simple battery, a miniature spring-driven generator, a mems generator or a redundant self-sustaining generator or a combination of all of the above; the self-sustaining generator has been proposed and designed to power this present artificial heart and will be presented in a separate patent application in the near future as a follow up to this present one; the aforementioned electronic control unit is preferably configured to amplify the signals from the power generating unit as well as utilizing input / output signals from temperature and pressure sensors embedded in the heart to vary contractile force and frequency of beats, based on bodily requirements, thereby mimicking some functions of the natural heart; the electronic unit is also preferably provided with a translator chip that converts signals from the cardiac / vargus trunks (sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves) via electrodes into clear electric currents for varying actuator outputs; the heart would be implanted in the normal position in the chest, atop the diaphragm, while the electronic control unit and the power generation module would preferably be implanted behind the breastbone and lower abdomen respectively; all components of the present invention are amenable to current mass production techniques and miniaturization for the purpose of fitting into individuals of various sizes; as is clearly shown in FIG. 1, this present invention is an integral three-tiered configuration constituted of pumping unit I, the power generating unit II and the controller III. Also, as aforementioned, additional signals from the embedded temperature and pressure sensors, as well as nerve connecting electrodes are used to manipulate instantaneous outputs. The said electrodes are in the form of cuffs and are to be implanted on the vargus nerves (sympathetic and parasympathetic); Texas Instruments (TI) manufactures reliable operational and instrumentation amplifiers which can detect condition, and amplify nerve signals. The VCO in the controller uses the signals to manipulate instantaneous outputs of the actuating solenoids.

A surgical instrument may be used to apply tension to a flexible suture to close and secure a broken or cut bone (e.g. a sternum following a sternotomy). The device preferably applies an adjustable tension to the flexible suture in order to secure the bone together. Multiple instruments may be used together to ensure the desired tension is applied to the entire bone structure being secured with the flexible sutures. Once the desired tension is achieved, the device preferably provides a mechanism to apply a uniform twist to the flexible suture to lock the flexible suture in place. The instrument preferably decreases the upward tension applied to the flexible sutures over the duration of the application of twisting.. The device may automatically cut the flexible suture, or the flexible suture may be cut by the surgeon once the twisting action has been performed.

A shape-transforming implant device for joining and holding in place a severed sternum. The device includes a bridge portion, two or more legs extending from the bridge portion, shoulder portions, and feet portions. The bridge portions have a thickness that is sized such that it can be cut with a pin cutter. The two or more legs extend from the bridge portion at a first angle when the bridge and the two or more legs are at a first temperature. The shoulder portions are defined by a first angle between the bridge portion and the two or more legs and define a transition from the bridge portion to the two or more legs. The feet portions are at an end of the two or more legs that is opposite from the shoulder portions. Each of the feet portions include an inwardly angled portion that extends toward the remaining feet portions.

A positioning device for use in apparatus for treating sudden cardiac arrest in a patient in supine position by providing chest compressions at the lower end of the sternum prevents the apparatus from moving in a caudal direction. The apparatus includes a frame enclosing the patient at a sternal transversal plane and a pneumatic compression / decompression unit mounted on the frame. The device includes a flexible strap having a first end, a second end and a tensioning component disposed between the first and second ends. First and second end portions of the strap include a mechanism for attachment to the apparatus. The flexible strap has a mounted tensioned length sufficient to extend around the patient's neck. At least one of the end portions is releasably attached.

An adjustable brace is provided for correcting a forward lean to obtain an upright position. The brace includes an anterior frame having a chest pad bearing upon a chest area and thigh pads bearing upon thigh areas. The brace has a lumbar pad applied to the lumbar area. The chest pad covers the sternal area substantially from the position of approximately 2″ distal to the clavicle bones to about the mid sternum point. The lumbar pad covers the lumbar area from the areas of T-12 to L-5 of the spine. In one embodiment, the frame includes a pubic pad bearing upon a pubic pad. The frame is adjustable in height and width.