Patent ID: 7033377

Claim:
A method for capturing, positioning and aligning portions of a severed human sternum via the device's deployment around the costal cartilage portion of each of a paired set of ribs located on opposite sides of the severed sternum while simultaneously contacting and substantially surrounding the anterior and posterior portions of the sternum thereby precluding rostral and vertical bone shearing travel by preventing severed sternal halves from moving relative to one another comprising: providing a sternum closure device comprising impermanently joined insertion and insertion guide attachment members, each of said members having first and second end portions, first and second side portions, a body portion, anterior and posterior surfaces, two crescent formed leg portions with angularly displaced foot portions, and a plurality of sternum, rib and costal cartilage engagement surfaces, the insertion guide member individually comprising a rotary lock positioning block, a plurality of variable length cylindrical pegs located on opposite sides of the insertion member's posterior surface, a rotary lock pivoting pin, a disengagement tool positioning divot, and a pair of guide sections to position and removably receive said insertion member when inserted therein, the insertion member individually comprising a biasing guide to allow leveraging insertion therein of a prying tool to forcibly disengage insertion and insertion guide members from one another, and a plurality of severable insertion guide contact sections which may be individually or collectively removed, and a rotary lock member pivotally attached to said insertion guide member, the locking member further comprising a capturing mechanism having angularly displaced teeth-like structures on a first side which cooperate with reciprocating teeth-like structures integrated on a first side of said insertion member to position, secure in place and operatively combine said insertion member, said rotary lock and said insertion guide member; and, insertably joining said insertion member within said insertion guide member in a manner to capture the costal cartilage portion of each of a paired set of ribs located on opposite sides of a severed human sternum while simultaneously engaging and substantially surrounding the anterior and posterior portions of the sternum.