Patent ID: 8038634
Filing Date: 2011-10-18
Classification: A61B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. 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.