Patent ID: 8172887
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A sternal clamp device comprising: a first clamp member and a second clamp member slidingly engaged such that the overall length of said sternal clamp device may be shortened or lengthened by relative movement of said first and second clamp members, each said clamp member comprising at least one leg member to abut the sides of a sternum; engagement means controlling relative movement of said first and second clamp members, wherein said engagement means comprises a biased engagement arm having a plurality of teeth, said engagement arm disposed on said second clamp member, and a ratchet bar having a plurality of teeth, said ratchet bar disposed on said first clamp member, whereby said engagement arm teeth and said ratchet bar teeth are able to engage with each other; and status control means to select one of three operating statuses for said sternal clamp device, said operating statuses consisting of an open status, a closing status and a locked status, wherein said status control means comprises a cam opening disposed in said engagement arm and a rotatable cam follower positioned within said cam opening, whereby selection of said operating status and biasing of said engagement arm is determined by the position of said cam follower; whereby in said open status said sternal clamp device may be lengthened or shortened, in said closing status said sternal clamp device may be shortened but not lengthened, and in said locked status said sternal clamp may be neither lengthened nor shortened; and further whereby said sternal clamp device may be disposed in said locked status in differing overall lengths.