Tie systems for sternal closure
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Michigan
InventorsGardner Yost, Jeffrey Stephen Plott, Jonathan Haft
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An example tie assembly includes a needle, a tie, a plug, and a tether. The needle has a proximal end and a distal end. The tie extends from the proximal end of the needle. The plug has an axial bore therethrough. The tie is disposed within the axial bore. The tether tethering the plug to the proximal end of the needle. An additional plug threadable onto the tie of the tie assembly, wherein (a) a head of the additional plug includes at least one tether-receiving groove therein or (b) the additional plug comprises a surgical clip.
Claims20
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 axial bore;
- a tether tethering the plug to the proximal end of the needle;
- and
- an additional plug threadable onto the tie of the tie assembly, wherein (a) a head of the additional plug includes at least one tether-receiving groove therein or (b) the additional plug comprises a surgical clip.
A method of sternal closure, comprising:
- inserting a needle through tissue on a first side of an opening to be closed, the needle having a proximal end to which a length of tie and a tether are secured, a tether tethering a plug to the proximal end of the needle;
- advancing the tether until a head of the plug is brought into registration with a hole through the tissue formed by the needle;
- threading an additional plug onto an end of the tie, wherein (a) a head of the additional plug includes at least one tether-receiving groove therein or (b) the additional plug comprises a surgical clip;
- and
- securing the tether relative to the additional plug.
The method of 15, wherein one or more of the plugs further includes a post, and further comprising inserting the post into one of the holes formed in the tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.