Nuss procedure aid
View Patent ↗A method for treating pectus excavatum includes making an incision in the chest of a patient, inserting, via the incision, a device comprising a sensor configured to measure force at a face disposed proximate a first end of the device, manipulating the device such that the face of the device engages a sternum of the patient, displaying, on the electronic display of the device, measurement data based on a reading taken by the sensor during the engagement of the face of the device with the sternum of the patient, and determining, based on the displayed measurement data, a number of bars to install in the patient's chest, and inserting, via one or more incisions, the determined number of bars into the patient's chest in such a manner as to push out the patient's sternum and maintain the patient's sternum in a pushed out condition.
1. A method comprising:
(a) making an incision in the chest of a patient who has been diagnosed with pectus excavatum;
(b) inserting, via the incision, a device comprising
(i) a sensor configured to measure force at a face disposed proximate a first end of the device,
(ii) a handle disposed at a second, opposite end of the device, and
(iii) an electronic display disposed at the handle, the electronic display being configured to display measurement information based on readings taken by the sensor;
(c) manipulating the device such that the face of the device engages a sternum of the patient;
(d) displaying, on the electronic display of the device, measurement data based on a reading taken by the sensor during the engagement of the face of the device with the sternum of the patient;
(e) determining, based on the displayed measurement data, a number of bars to install in the patient's chest; and
(f) inserting, via one or more incisions, the determined number of bars into the patient's chest in such a manner as to push out the patient's sternum and maintain the patient's sternum in a pushed out condition.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of determining a number of bars to install in the patient's chest comprises determining the number utilizing software configured to do so.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying measurement data comprises displaying a measurement of force in Newtons.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying measurement data comprises displaying a measurement in pounds.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying measurement data comprises displaying a measurement in kilograms.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a non-absorbent material.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is two feet long.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a number of bars to install comprises determining that two bars should be installed.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a number of bars to install comprises determining that three bars should be installed.
11. A method comprising:
(a) making an incision in the chest of a patient who has been diagnosed with pectus excavatum;
(b) inserting, via the incision, a device comprising
(i) a sensor configured to measure force at a face disposed proximate a first end of the device,
(ii) a handle disposed at a second, opposite end of the device, and
(iii) a communication interface configured to communicate data based on sensor readings;
(c) manipulating the device such that the face of the device engages a sternum of the patient;
(d) communicating, from the device via the communication interface, measurement data based on a reading taken by the sensor during the engagement of the face of the device with the sternum of the patient;
(e) determining, based on the communicated measurement data, a number of bars to install in the patient's chest; and
(f) inserting, via one or more incisions, the determined number of bars into the patient's chest in such a manner as to push out the patient's sternum and maintain the patient's sternum in a pushed out condition.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of determining a number of bars to install in the patient's chest comprises determining the number utilizing software configured to do so.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the handle comprises a non-absorbent material.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the device is two feet long.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein determining a number of bars to install comprises determining that two bars should be installed.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein determining a number of bars to install comprises determining that three bars should be installed.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the communication interface comprises a wired communication interface.
20. A method comprising:
(a) making an incision in the chest of a patient who has been diagnosed with pectus excavatum;
(b) inserting, via the incision, a device comprising
(i) a sensor configured to measure force at a face disposed proximate a first end of the device,
(ii) a handle disposed at a second, opposite end of the device, and
(iii) an electronic display disposed at the handle;
(c) manipulating the device such that the face of the device engages a sternum of the patient;
(d) determining, at the device based on a reading taken by the sensor during the engagement of the face of the device with the sternum of the patient, a number of bars to install in the patient's chest;
(e) displaying, via the electronic display, the determined number of bars; and
(f) inserting, via one or more incisions, the determined number of bars into the patient's chest in such a manner as to push out the patient's sternum and maintain the patient's sternum in a pushed out condition.