Apparatus and method for implementation of bridged staple and sternal plate

A drill plate assembly configured to be engaged by a drill device, the drill plate assembly comprising:

• a guide plate configured to be positioned against a target area, wherein the guide plate defines guide holes;
• a handle coupled to the guide plate;
• a support plate spaced from the guide plate;
• a receiving shaft extending through the support plate and configured to engage with said drill device;
• a drive gear operably coupled to the support plate, wherein the drive gear is operably coupled to the receiving shaft to be rotated by said drill device;
• follower gears operably coupled to the drive gear;
• drill bits operably coupled with the follower gears, respectively, wherein rotation of the drive gear is configured to cause rotation of the follower gears and, consequently, rotation of the drill bits, and wherein the drill bits are configured to be moved through the guide holes to engage the target area in response to a force applied to the support plate to drill multiple pilot holes;
• and
• at least one biasing member extending between the guide plate and the support plate to bias the support plate away from the guide plate.

A method of drilling pilot holes, comprising:

• positioning a drill plate assembly against a target area;
• aligning a first pair of guide holes of a guide plate of the drill plate assembly on a first side of a cut between first and second bone portions;
• aligning a second pair of guide holes of the guide plate on a second side of the cut;
• engaging a drill device with a drive gear operably coupled with a support plate of the drill plate assembly;
• driving rotation of the drive gear with the drill device;
• driving rotation of follower gears with the rotation of the drive gear;
• driving rotation of drill bits with the rotation of the follower gears;
• moving the drill bits through first and second pairs of guide holes, respectively, in response to a force applied to the support plate;
• and
• concurrently drilling multiple pilot holes in the target area with the drill bits.