Importance

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Abstract

A device for closing an opening (12) performed in the sternum during heart surgery and for fixing the breast bone halves (13, 14) in relation to each other is described, said device consisting of (a) a plate (1) comprising two flat, longitudinal, parallel anchoring members (2, 3), which are spaced a distance from each other and provided with through-holes (11), and spaced apart, transverse, flat connection pieces (4, 5, 6) which are connected to the anchoring members to form a rigid unit therewith, and (b) a plurality of attachment wires (15) to be inserted into the breast bone halves from below and into said holes (11), the pairs of end portions of said attachment wires being twisted together to the plate. According to the invention the holes (11) in each anchoring member (2, 3) are disposed in a continuous row from the one end to the other of the anchoring member (2, 3) with a uniform distance between the holes (11) in each row of 2-3 mm, each individual attachment wire (15) being inserted through only one breast bone half (13 or 14) at two positions thereof spaced apart to form a loop (16) which is located in a plane parallel to said opening (12), and each wire end portion of each pair of protruding free wire end portions (17, 18) being arranged to be inserted through that hole in the row of holes (11) which is located opposite or nearly opposite the wire end portion (17 or 18).

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First Claim