Patent ID: 8221421

Claim:
A sternum fixation device for securing parts of a sternum comprising: a first plate having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, and a hook configured to engage the sternum in an intercostal space; a second plate having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, and an attachment member configured to engage the sternum; a release member that is rotatable between a locking position and a releasing position about a first axis that is angularly offset with respect to the upper surface of the first plate; and a ratchet operably coupled between the first and second plates, wherein rotation of the release member from the locking position to the releasing position through an angle of less than 360 degrees causes the ratchet to disengage, thereby allowing the first and second plates to move away from each other along a longitudinal axis, and rotation of the release member from the releasing position to the locking position through an angle of less than 360 degrees causes the ratchet to engage, thereby fixing the first and second plates with respect to movement away from each other along the longitudinal axis, and the hook is oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis.