US5366461A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sternum banding assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-01-25
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Granted: 1994-11-22
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Expires: 2013-01-25
Abstract
Abstract A banding assembly has a needle at one end, a long thin band, and a buckle at the other end. The buckle is provided with upstanding elements on either side of a channel which receives the band. The elements have openings adapted to be engaged by a towel clamp to retain the buckle as the band is drawn through the channel and locks into position. The elements are normally spaced apart by a distance slightly less than the width of the band. Once locked into place, the band is trimmed, leaving a tail extending from the buckle. The tail is bent backwards and "snap fits" between the elements. The elements are then crimped over the tail to retain it on the buckle and to cover any sharp edges. A dome-like member is provided to guide the band into the channel. The buckle is attached to the end of the band by spaced tabs which extend through openings in the band and are crimped toward each other.
Inventors
- 👤 William Blasnik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/88; A61B17/8861; A61B17/68; A61B17/82; A61B17/823; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/14; Y10T24/1457; Y10T24/1478
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An assembly for banding the sternum for use with a hand held clamp having a pair of clamp arms moveable between proximate and remote positions, said assembly comprising a flexible band having first and second ends, a needle attached to one of said ends of said band, a buckle, means for attaching said buckle proximate said other end of said band, said buckle comprising a band receiving channel, means for locking said band in position within said channel and normally spaced, substantially parallel extending elements, each having an opening adapted to receive a different one of the clamp arms such that when the clamp arms are moved from the remote to the proximate position, the buckle is engaged and retained by the clamp as the band is drawn through the channel to the locking position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An assembly for banding the sternum for use with a hand held clamp having a pair of clamp arms moveable between proximate and remote positions, said assembly comprising a flexible band having first and second ends, a needle attached to one of said ends of said band, a buckle, means for attaching said buckle proximate said other end of said band, said buckle comprising a band receiving channel, means for locking said band in position within said channel and normally spaced, substantially parallel extending elements, each having an opening adapted to receive a different one of the clamp arms such that when the clamp arms are moved from the remote to the proximate position, the buckle is engaged and retained by the clamp as the band is drawn through the channel to the locking position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising means for securing said band adjacent said buckle, said securing means comprising said elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said band has two spaced openings and said attaching means comprises spaced tab elements extending from said buckle and engaging said openings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said band has a given width and wherein said elements are normally spaced apart a distance slightly less than said given width.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said channel is defined in part by inwardly extending members spaced apart by a given distance and wherein said band comprises a relatively narrow section and a guide member, the relatively narrow section being slightly narrower than the space between said members.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
199 words
A method for banding a sternum with a banding assembly including an elongated flexible metal band with a surgical needle fixed to one end and a buckle mounted proximate the other end, the buckle comprising channel defining elements, a locking member and spaced upstanding ears with openings, the banding assembly being adapted for use with a clamp having arms moveable between remote and proximate positions, the method comprising the steps of: (a) threading the needle and band around or through the sternum parts; (b) removing the needle from the band end; (c) guiding the band end through the channel defining elements in the buckle; (d) retaining the buckle with the clamp, the arms of which are moved from the remote to the proximate position engaging the openings in the upstanding ears; (e) tightening the band by pulling it through the channel as the buckle is retained by the clamp, until the band is locked by the locking member; (f) cutting off the excess band, leaving a band tail; (g) bending the band tail over the channel defining elements; (h) placing the band tail between the upstanding ears; and (i) crimping the ears over the band to secure the assembly.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
199 words
A method for banding a sternum with a banding assembly including an elongated flexible metal band with a surgical needle fixed to one end and a buckle mounted proximate the other end, the buckle comprising channel defining elements, a locking member and spaced upstanding ears with openings, the banding assembly being adapted for use with a clamp having arms moveable between remote and proximate positions, the method comprising the steps of: (a) threading the needle and band around or through the sternum parts; (b) removing the needle from the band end; (c) guiding the band end through the channel defining elements in the buckle; (d) retaining the buckle with the clamp, the arms of which are moved from the remote to the proximate position engaging the openings in the upstanding ears; (e) tightening the band by pulling it through the channel as the buckle is retained by the clamp, until the band is locked by the locking member; (f) cutting off the excess band, leaving a band tail; (g) bending the band tail over the channel defining elements; (h) placing the band tail between the upstanding ears; and (i) crimping the ears over the band to secure the assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the upstanding ears are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the width of the band and wherein the step of placing the band tail between the upstanding ears comprises the step of snap-fitting the band tail between the ears.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
130 words
An assembly for banding the sternum for use with a hand held clamp, said assembly comprising an elongated flexible band having first and second ends, a needle at said first end of said band, a buckle proximate said second end of said band, said buckle comprising a surface, means cooperating with said surface for defining a channel into which the band is received, means for locking said band within said channel and means aligned with said channel defining means for engagement by the clamp, permitting said buckle to be retained by the clamp, as said band is locked into position by said locking means, wherein said means for engagement by the clamp comprises first and second substantially upstanding, spaced elements each having an opening therein adapted to receive the clamp.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
An assembly for banding the sternum for use with a hand held clamp, said assembly comprising an elongated flexible band having first and second ends, a needle at said first end of said band, a buckle proximate said second end of said band, said buckle comprising a surface, means cooperating with said surface for defining a channel into which the band is received, means for locking said band within said channel and means aligned with said channel defining means for engagement by the clamp, permitting said buckle to be retained by the clamp, as said band is locked into position by said locking means, wherein said means for engagement by the clamp comprises first and second substantially upstanding, spaced elements each having an opening therein adapted to receive the clamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The assembly of claim 8, wherein said band has an end section and further comprising means adapted to secure said band end section after said band is locked into position in said channel, said securing means comprising said upstanding elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The assembly of claim 8 wherein said band has a given width and wherein said elements are normally spaced apart, at their closest point, a distance which is slightly less than said given width.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
154 words
An assembly for banding the sternum for use with a hand held clamp, said assembly comprising an elongated flexible band having first and second ends, a needle at said first end of said band, a buckle proximate said second end of said band, said buckle comprising a surface, means cooperating with said surface for defining a channel into which the band is received, means for locking said band within said channel and means aligned with said channel defining means for engagement by the clamp, permitting said buckle to be retained by the clamp, as said band is locked into position by said locking means, wherein said band has an end section and wherein said band end section, after said band is drawn into said channel and locked into position by said locking means, is bent back over said channel defining means and wherein said engagement means comprises means for securing said bent end section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
154 words
An assembly for banding the sternum for use with a hand held clamp, said assembly comprising an elongated flexible band having first and second ends, a needle at said first end of said band, a buckle proximate said second end of said band, said buckle comprising a surface, means cooperating with said surface for defining a channel into which the band is received, means for locking said band within said channel and means aligned with said channel defining means for engagement by the clamp, permitting said buckle to be retained by the clamp, as said band is locked into position by said locking means, wherein said band has an end section and wherein said band end section, after said band is drawn into said channel and locked into position by said locking means, is bent back over said channel defining means and wherein said engagement means comprises means for securing said bent end section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
130 words
An assembly for banding the sternum for use with a hand held clamp, said assembly comprising an elongated flexible band having first and second ends, a needle at said first end of said band, a buckle proximate said second end of said band, said buckle comprising a surface, means cooperating with said surface for defining a channel into which the band is received, means for locking said band within said channel and means aligned with said channel defining means for engagement by the clamp, permitting said buckle to be retained by the clamp, as said band is locked into position by said locking means, wherein said band comprises a portion proximate said first end and wherein said portion comprises a decreased width section and a substantially dome shaped guide member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
130 words
An assembly for banding the sternum for use with a hand held clamp, said assembly comprising an elongated flexible band having first and second ends, a needle at said first end of said band, a buckle proximate said second end of said band, said buckle comprising a surface, means cooperating with said surface for defining a channel into which the band is received, means for locking said band within said channel and means aligned with said channel defining means for engagement by the clamp, permitting said buckle to be retained by the clamp, as said band is locked into position by said locking means, wherein said band comprises a portion proximate said first end and wherein said portion comprises a decreased width section and a substantially dome shaped guide member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 12 wherein said channel defining means has an opening and wherein said decreased width section is adapted to be received within said opening.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-21 | 1998-05-23 | 1998-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-21 | 2002-05-23 | 2002-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-21 | 2006-05-23 | 2006-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |