Pectus bar and stabilizer devices and methods
A pectus bar assembly can include a first pectus bar and a second pectus bar engageable with a sternum. The pectus bar assembly can also include a first bar link connectable to the first pectus bar and translatable along the first pectus bar and can include a second bar link connectable to the second pectus bar and translatable along the second pectus bar. The pectus bar assembly can also include a bridge defining a longitudinal axis. The bridge can be connectable to the first bar link and the second bar link. The first bar link and the second bar link can be independently translatable along the bridge, and the first bar link and the second bar link can be independently rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the bridge.
1 . A pectus bar assembly for correcting pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum, the pectus bar assembly comprising:
a first pectus bar and a second pectus bar engageable with a sternum, the first pectus bar and the second pectus bar each configured to span across a sternum;
a first bar link connectable to the first pectus bar and translatable along the first pectus bar;
a second bar link connectable to the second pectus bar and translatable along the second pectus bar; and
a bridge defining a longitudinal axis, the bridge connectable to the first bar link and the second bar link, the first bar link and the second bar link independently translatable along the bridge, and the first bar link and the second bar link independently rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the bridge.
2 . The assembly of claim 1 , the first bar link comprising:
a body; and
a shelf connected to the body, the shelf configured to receive a first end portion of the first pectus bar therein.
3 . The assembly of claim 2 , the first bar link comprising:
an actuator extending through a bore of the body, the actuator operable between an unlocked position where the actuator is disengaged from the first pectus bar and a locked position where the actuator is engaged with a second end portion of the first pectus bar to cause engagement between the first end portion of the pectus bar and the shelf to secure the first bar link to the first pectus bar.
4 . The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the actuator is rotatable to cause the actuator to translate within the bore of the body.
5 . The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the actuator is captivated within the bore of the body.
6 . The assembly of claim 4 , wherein a distal portion of the actuator is shaped to avoid engagement with an anterior portion of the first pectus bar when the actuator is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position.
7 . The assembly of claim 3 , the first bar link comprising:
a head extending away from the body and away from the actuator, the head movable to deform the body to release the first bar link from the first pectus bar.
8 . The assembly of claim 7 , wherein the head includes a rib graspable to manipulate the first bar link with respect to the bridge and the first pectus bar.
9 . The assembly of claim 8 , the first bar link comprising:
an arm connected to the body, the arm and the body together defining a slot configured to receive the bridge at least partially therein; and
an arm actuator connected to the body and the arm and operable to move between a first position where the bridge is movable with respect to the body and a second position where the arm and the body engage the bridge to secure the first bar link to the bridge.
10 . The assembly of claim 9 , wherein the arm and the body together form a clamp.
11 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the arm is connected to the body by a living hinge configured to allow the arm to elastically deflect with respect to the body when the arm actuator moves between the first position and the second position.
12 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the slot is a bore including an angled portion at an opening of the bore configured to allow the first bar link to tilt with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bridge when the bridge is positioned in the slot of the first bar link and the arm actuator is in the first position.
13 . The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the living hinge at least partially forms the slot.
14 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bridge is a cylindrical rod.
15 . A pectus bar assembly for correcting pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum, the pectus bar assembly comprising:
a first pectus bar and a second pectus bar engageable with a sternum, the first pectus bar and the second pectus bar each configured to span across a sternum;
a first bar link connectable to the first pectus bar and translatable along the first pectus bar;
a second bar link connectable to the second pectus bar and translatable along the second pectus bar; and
a rod extending along a longitudinal axis, the rod connectable to the first bar link and the second bar link, the first bar link and the second bar link independently translatable along the rod, and the first bar link and the second bar link independently rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the rod.
16 . The assembly of claim 15 , the first bar link comprising:
a body;
a shelf connected to the body, the shelf configured to receive a first end portion of the first pectus bar therein; and
an actuator extending through a bore of the body, the actuator rotatable between an unlocked position where the actuator is disengaged from the first pectus bar and a locked position where the actuator is engaged with a second end portion of the first pectus bar to cause engagement between the first end portion of the pectus bar and the shelf to secure the first bar link to the first pectus bar.
17 . The assembly of claim 16 , wherein the actuator is captivated within the bore by the body.
18 . The assembly of claim 16 , wherein a distal portion of the actuator is shaped to avoid engagement with an anterior portion of the first pectus bar when the actuator is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position.
19 . The assembly of claim 16 , the first bar link comprising:
a head extending away from the body and away from the actuator, the head movable to deform the body to release the first bar link from the first pectus bar.
20 . The assembly of claim 19 , the first bar link comprising:
an arm connected to the body, the arm and the body together defining a slot configured to receive the rod at least partially therein; and
an arm actuator connected to the body and the arm and operable to move between a first position where the rod is movable with respect to the body and a second position where the arm and the body engage the rod to secure the first bar link to the rod.