Device for use in surgical treatment of funnel chest and method of treatment
A device ( 1 ) for use in the surgical treatment of a patient suffering from funnel chest characterized in that it comprises a plate adapted to be fitted underneath the skin of the patient, and further characterized in that, in use, said plate can be attached to the patient's sternum and the curvature, length and width of the plate being such that the plate extends on both sides of the sternum and on the outside of the patient's thorax and is supported by the ribs to hold up the sternum.
1. A method of treating a patient suffering from funnel chest comprising:
making an incision in the patient's chest and introducing a plate underneath the patient's skin and on an outside of a thorax;
positioning the plate such that a substantially central portion of the plate is positioned on top of the patient's sternum, and that two side portions of the plate are positioned substantially on top of the patient's ribs;
the plate having a curvature, length and width such that, in use, the plate is supported by the ribs to hold up the sternum and such that the plate will be disposed in contact with the sternum and the ribs when the sternum is lifted to a desired position;
positioning a power screw with a nut in a hole in the sternum, and
turning the nut along the power screw toward the sternum to react against the plate positioned on the thorax, such that the sternum is lifted to the desired position; and
fixedly attaching the plate directly on top of the sternum.
2. The method of treating a patient suffering from funnel chest according to claim 1 , wherein said plate comprises one or more holes for accommodating the power screw used in lifting the sternum.
3. The method of treating a patient suffering from funnel chest according to claim 2 , wherein said plate comprises one or more holes for accommodating fasteners for fixing the sternum to said plate.
4. The method of treating a patient suffering from funnel chest according to claim 1 , wherein the plate comprises at least portions of extra roughness on a side of the plate which is directed towards an inside of the patient's body.
5. The method of treating a patient suffering from funnel chest according to claim 1 , further comprising:
drilling the hole in the patient's sternum; and,
cutting a thread in said hole using a tap.
6. The method of treating a patient suffering from funnel chest according to claim 1 , wherein the plate is fixed to the sternum using bone screws.
7. The method of treating a patient suffering from funnel chest according to claim 1 , wherein one or more of:
the plate is substantially flat;
the plate has a substantially continuous curvature; and,
the plate is substantially flat with curved end portions.
8. The method of treating a patient suffering from funnel chest according to claim 1 , wherein said treatment is completed in a single surgical procedure.
9. The method of treating a patient suffering from funnel chest according to claim 1 , wherein after lifting the sternum to the desired position, the power screw is broken and used for the attaching of the plate directly on top of the sternum.
10. A method of treating a patient suffering from funnel chest, comprising
making an incision in the patient's chest and introducing a plate underneath the patient's skin and on an outside of a thorax,
positioning the plate such that a substantially central portion of the plate is positioned on top of the patient's sternum, and that two side portions of the plate are positioned substantially on top of the patient's ribs,
positioning a support tool on the patient's thorax,
positioning a power screw with a nut in a hole in the sternum,
turning the nut along the power screw toward the sternum to react against said support tool positioned on the thorax, such that the sternum is lifted to a desired position, and
fixedly attaching the plate directly on top of the sternum,
wherein the plate has a curvature, length and width such that, in use, the plate is supported by the ribs to hold up the sternum and such that the plate will be disposed in contact with the sternum and the ribs when the sternum is lifted to the desired position.
11. A method of treating a patient suffering from funnel comprising:
making an incision in the patient's chest and introducing a plate underneath the patient's skin and on an outside of a thorax;
positioning the plate such that a substantially central portion of the plate is positioned on top of the patient's sternum, and that two side portions of the plate are positioned substantially on top of the patient's ribs;
a curvature, length and width of the plate being such that, in use, the plate is supported by the ribs to hold up the sternum;
drilling a hole in the patient's sternum;
cutting a thread in said hole using a tap;
inserting a threaded insert in the hole in the sternum;
positioning a power screw with a nut in the hole in the sternum including screwing the power screw in the threaded insert;
lifting the sternum to a desired position; and,
fixedly attaching the plate directly on top of the sternum.
12. A method of treating a patient suffering from funnel chest, comprising
making an incision in the patient's chest and introducing a plate underneath the patient's skin and on an outside of a thorax,
positioning the plate such that a substantially central portion of the plate is positioned on top of the patient's sternum, and that two side portions of the plate are positioned substantially on top of the patient's ribs,
lifting the sternum to a desired position, and
fixedly attaching the plate directly on top of the sternum,
wherein said plate is stabilized using a stabilizing tool during said lifting of the sternum to the desired position, and
wherein the plate has a curvature, length and width such that, in use, the plate is supported by the ribs to hold up the sternum and such that the plate will be disposed in contact with the sternum and the ribs when the sternum is lifted to the desired position.