Importance

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Abstract

For clamping together two split halves of, for example, a sternum at the conclusion of open heart surgery, two clamping plates are secured to respective halves of the sternum in facing relationship across the meeting surfaces of the two halves. Each plate is secured to a respective half in spaced relation from the meeting surfaces. In one arrangement, each plate is secured by a rearwardly placed hook which extends along a respective side of the sternum and which preferably includes a spike which extends into the sternum through the side surface. In another arrangement, each clamping plate is secured by screws passing directly through the plate and into an underlying bone surface. In use, the jaws of a compressive pliers engage the two facing plates for pressing the two halves together. In one embodiment, while the plates are pressed together, a wire is wound around and between posts mounted on each plate for rigidly securing the plates together for maintaining the compressive force between the two halves. In another embodiment, while the plates are pressed together, a wire is wound through holes in the two facing plates for rigidly securing them together.

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First Claim