Sternotomy splinting assembly, kit and method for use
OwnerMichael A. Rolnick, Matthew P. Warden +1inventors
InventorsMichael A. Rolnick, Matthew P. Warden, Robert A. Van Wyk
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Abstract
Herein disclosed is a simple, passive splinting system for sternotomy patients designed to provide a continuous yet readily adjustable, compressive tangential stabilizing force to the ribcage so as to promote healing of a median sternotomy incision while minimizing patient pain.
Claims17
A method for splinting a median sternotomy post-surgery using a splinting assembly comprising (a) two anchor strips having obverse and reverse surfaces, wherein the reverse surface is provided with either application instruction indicia or a pre-formed layer of adhesive covered with a release liner and the obverse surface is provided with a layer of a fastener receiving material, and (b) one or more elongate elastomeric straps having obverse and reverse surfaces and first and second ends, wherein the reverse surface of said one or more straps is provided at the respective first and second ends with a plurality of fasteners that mate with said fastener receiving material to form a releasable bond, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. adhesively mounting the two anchor strips more or less vertically at locations on the chest cavity of a median sternotomy patient that are more or less equidistantly displaced from the sternotomy site;
- b. attaching the fasteners disposed at a first end of said elastomeric strap to the layer of fastener receiving material disposed on one of anchor strips;
- c. stretching said at least one elastomeric strap so as to produce an initial tension in said at least one elastomeric strap, and
- d. coupling the fasteners disposed at the second end of said elastomeric strap to the layer of fastener receiving material disposed on the other of said anchor strips to thereby provide a compressive, stabilizing force tangential to the patient's sternum.
A kit for splinting a median sternotomy comprising:
- a. two anchor strips having obverse and reverse surfaces, wherein the reverse surface is provided with either application instruction indicia or a pre-formed layer of adhesive covered with a release liner and the obverse surface is provided with a layer of a fastener receiving material;
- b. one or more elongate elastomeric straps having obverse and reverse surfaces and first and second ends, wherein the reverse surface of said one or more straps is provided at the respective first and second ends with a plurality of fasteners that mate with said fastener receiving material to form a releasable bond;
- c. a positioning means selected from (i) a semi-rigid locating template comprising a first central opening that permits access to the site of the median sternotomy, a pair of cut-out openings complementary to the shape of said anchor patches located at either edge of the template, and one or more adhesive strips positioned about the perimeter of said template to permit releasable attachment to the chest wall of the sternotomy patient, and (ii) an elongate locating strip having obverse and reverse surfaces and first and second ends, wherein the reverse surface of said locating strip is provided at the respective first and second ends with a plurality of fasteners that mate with said fastener receiving material on each of said anchor strips to form a releasable bond therewith and the obverse surface is provided with an indicia designating the center line of said locating strip;
- and
- d.
- e. an optional compressive pad to be positioned between said at least one elastomeric strap and the chest wall over the site of median sternotomy;
- f.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.