Sternum closure buckle

A strap assembly to be looped about split portions of tissue to retain the split portions in adjacent contacting relation to promote healing thereof, comprising:

• a flexible strap member adapted to be looped about split portions of tissue;
• and
• a buckle member comprising:
• a base member defining a longitudinal axis and having a transverse opening for reception of said strap member, said base member further including a transverse ramp portion and a shelf portion projecting from said transverse ramp portion into said transverse opening;
• a clip member pivotally mounted within said transverse opening to said base member and adapted for pivotal movement between an open position for reception of said strap member through said transverse opening and a closed position to secure said strap member within said buckle member;
• and
• wherein said clip member is attached to said strap member such that tightening of said strap member about the split portions of tissue exerts a longitudinal closing force on said clip member to cause said clip member to pivot to the closed position whereby said clip member, said transverse ramp portion and said shelf portion cooperatively secure said strap member within said buckle member.

A method for repairing split portions of tissue, comprising the steps of:

• providing a strap assembly including a strap member and a buckle member, said buckle member including a base member having a transverse opening for reception of said strap member and a clip member pivotally mounted to said base member and adapted for pivotal movement from an open position to permit passage of said strap member through said opening and a closed position to wedge said strap member between a forward edge of said clip member and said base member to secure said strap member around the split portions of tissue;
• looping said strap member around the tissue portions;
• inserting a first end of said strap member through said opening in said buckle;
• advancing said first end of said strap member in a tensioning direction to tighten the looped strap member to a predetermined tension about the split portions of tissue so as to position the tissue portions in an adjacent engaged relation;
• and
• releasing said first end portion of said strap member such that the tensional forces applied to said strap member during tensioning thereof causes said clip member to pivot to the closed position such that said forward edge of said clip member wedges said strap member against said base member.

A method for securing first and second portions of a sternum to retain the portions in adjacent engaged relation during healing, comprising the steps of:

• providing a strap assembly including a flexible strap member and a buckle member, said buckle member including a base member having an opening extending therethrough for reception of said strap member and a clip member pivotally mounted to said base member and adapted for pivotal movement from an open position to allow for reception of said strap member through said opening and a closed position to wedge said strap member between a forward edge of said clip member and said base member to secure said strap member around the split portions of tissue;
• inserting a first end of said strap member through intercostal tissue along an outer edge of the first sternum portion;
• maneuvering said first end under the first and second sternum portions to expose the first end along an outer edge of the second sternum portion;
• inserting said first end of said strap member through said opening in said buckle member to form a loop about said first and second portions of sternum;
• advancing said first end of said strap member in a tensioning direction to tighten said looped strap member about the sternum portions in a manner to position the portions in adjacent engaged relation;
• and
• releasing said first end portion of said strap member upon achieving a predetermined tension in said strap member such that the tensional forces applied to said strap member during tensioning thereof causes said clip member to pivot to the closed position whereby said forward edge of said clip member securely wedges said strap member against said base member.

A strap member to be looped about split portions of tissue to retain the split portions in adjacent contacting relation to promote healing thereof, which comprises:

• a strap member adapted to be looped about split tissue portions;
• and
• a buckle member attached to said strap member for securing said strap member in a looped tensioned condition about the split tissue portions, said buckle member comprising:
• a base member defining a longitudinal axis, said base member including a transverse opening extending therethrough for reception of said strap member and two longitudinal grooves disposed on a lower surface portion thereof, said longitudinal grooves dimensioned to accommodate portions of said strap member disposed beneath said base member when said strap member is secured around the split tissue portions;
• and
• means for engaging said strap member received within said transverse opening to secure said strap member in the looped tensioned condition.

A strap member to be looped about split portions of tissue to retain the split portions in adjacent contacting relation to promote healing thereof, comprising:

• a strap member adapted to be looped about split portions of tissue;
• a buckle member attached to said strap member, comprising:
• a base member defining a longitudinal axis, said base member including a transverse opening extending therethrough for reception of said strap member and at least one longitudinal groove formed on a lower surface portion thereof, said at least one longitudinal groove dimensioned to accommodate portions of said strap member passing beneath said base member when said strap member is secured about the tissue portions;
• and
• a clip member pivotally mounted within said opening to said base member and adapted to pivot between an open position to permit passage of said strap member through said opening of said base member and a closed position to securely wedge said strap member against said base member.