Apparatus and method for expanding a chest cavity
OwnerThomas Winstoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for expanding a chest cavity of a patient includes a tapered member and an expansion assembly coupled to the tapered member. The expansion assembly is configured to engage a sternum.
Claims20
An apparatus for expanding a chest cavity of a patient, said apparatus comprising:
- a tapered member;
- and
- an expansion assembly coupled to said tapered member, said expansion assembly configured to engage a sternum.
An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said each elongate member is coupled substantially perpendicular to said tapered member and is substantially rectangular-shaped and comprises an anterior side, a posterior side opposite said anterior side, and a pair of sternum sides extending therebetween, each said sternum side substantially concave-shaped.
A sternum expansion system for a patient, said system comprising:
- an implantable wedge member;
- and
- a plurality of adjustable members coupled to said wedge member, said adjustable member configured to adjustably expand a patient chest cavity.
A method of expanding a chest cavity having a sternum, said method comprising:
- inserting a chest cavity expander comprising a tapered member and an expansion assembly coupled to the tapered member;
- applying a force to the tapered member such that the sternum spreads a first distance;
- and
- adjusting the expansion assembly such that the sternum spreads a second distance greater than the first distance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.