Tie systems for sternal closure

A tie assembly comprising:

• a needle having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a tie extending from the proximal end of the needle;
• a plug having an axial bore therethrough, the tie disposed within the bore;
• and
• a tether tethering the plug to the proximal end of the needle,
• the needle being removable from the tie and the tether, and further comprising an additional plug threadable onto an exposed end of the tie upon removal of the needle, wherein a head of the additional plug includes at least one tether-receiving groove therein.

A tie assembly comprising:

• a needle having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a tie extending from the proximal end of the needle;
• a plug having an axial bore therethrough, the tie disposed within the bore;
• and
• a tether tethering the plug to the proximal end of the needle,
• the needle being removable from the tie and the tether, and further comprising an additional plug threadable onto an exposed end of the tie upon removal of the needle, wherein the additional plug comprises a ratchet having a pawl and the tether comprises a plurality grooves that are engagable by the pawl.

A tie assembly comprising:

• a needle having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a tie extending from the proximal end of the needle;
• a plug having an axial bore therethrough, the tie disposed within the bore;
• and a tether tethering the plug to the proximal end of the needle,
• the needle being removable from the tie and the tether, and further comprising an additional plug threadable onto an exposed end of the tie upon removal of the needle, wherein the additional plug includes an opening and the tether comprises a plurality of barbs spaced along the tether and engagable against a surface of the additional plug surrounding the opening.

A tie assembly comprising:

• a needle having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a tie extending from the proximal end of the needle;
• a plug having an axial bore therethrough, the tie disposed within the bore;
• and
• a tether tethering the plug to the proximal end of the needle,
• the needle being removable from the tie and the tether, and further comprising an additional plug threadable onto an exposed end of the tie upon removal of the needle, wherein the additional plug includes a surgical clip to secure the tether relative thereto.

A tie assembly comprising:

• a needle having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a tie extending from the proximal end of the needle;
• a plug having an axial bore therethrough, the tie disposed within the bore;
• and
• a tether tethering the plug to the proximal end of the needle, further comprising a base having a plurality of spaced apart projections, and further comprising a plurality of additional plugs each having an axial bore through which a corresponding projection extends.