Sternal Closure System with Reinforcing Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for closing a dissected sternum after surgery are often painful, prone to complications, and difficult to reopen for subsequent procedures, as they can cause damage to the bone and require complex removal of transverse fixation devices.

Innovation Solution

A system using reinforcing members with angled holes and extended regions, secured by fasteners and closure members that span the sternum opening, providing a secure closure with reduced bone contact and easier re-access, made from materials like polyether ether ketone (PEEK) for flexibility and strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional transverse fixation devices are used to close the sternum, then the sternum is securely closed, but it becomes difficult to reopen for subsequent procedures and requires complex removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesternum closure securityVSAvoidre-openability for subsequent procedures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is divided into modular components: reinforcing members attached to sternum portions, fasteners securing the reinforcing members, and closure members spanning the sternum opening. This segmentation allows individual components to be removed or adjusted independently, facilitating easier re-opening compared to traditional fixed transverse devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure system employs adjustable and removable components rather than fixed permanent fixation. Fasteners can be removed and closure members can be detached, transforming the static fixed structure into a dynamic system that can be easily modified or reopened for subsequent procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional closure methods are used, then the sternum is closed, but it causes significant pain and potential damage to the bone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure effectivenessVSAvoidbone damage and patient pain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Reinforcing members serve as intermediary elements between the closure members and the sternum bone. These reinforcing members distribute the load and pressure from closure members across a larger surface area, preventing direct concentration of force on the bone that would cause cutting or damage, thereby reducing pain and bone injury risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing members are designed with flexible properties to conform to the sternum surface and distribute forces evenly. This flexibility allows the system to adapt to bone contours and prevent localized stress concentrations that would lead to bone damage and patient discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If simple closure methods are used, then the procedure is quick and simple, but the closure lacks security and may fail under load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure procedure simplicityVSAvoidclosure security under load

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Reinforcing members are attached to the sternum portions before the closure members are applied. This preliminary action prepares the bone surface with a load-distributing structure, ensuring that when closure members are later applied, the forces are immediately distributed safely, maintaining both simplicity and security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines multiple materials with different properties: reinforcing members provide structural support and load distribution, fasteners provide secure attachment, and closure members provide the closing force. This composite approach achieves reliable secure closure while maintaining procedural simplicity through standardized component assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS9907590B2System for longitudinal closure of dissected sternums

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG HOSPITAL AUTHORITY

AI summary

Systems, devices, and methods for longitudinal closure of a dissected sternum are provided. The system includes first and second reinforcing members, fasteners, and closure members. Each reinforcing member is configured to be placed on an outer surface of a respective sternum portion, such that each reinforcing member is longitudinally disposed on an opposite side of a sternum opening with respect to the other reinforcing member. Fasteners may be placed in holes defined in the reinforcing members to secure a respective reinforcing member to a corresponding sternum portion. The closure members, which may be sternal closing wires, may then be wrapped around the sternum portions and the reinforcing members transversely to close the sternum opening. Because the reinforcing members include extended regions having lateral edges that extend away from a midline of the respective reinforcing member, the closure members are moved away from the edges of the bone.