Apparatus and methods for magnetic alteration of deformities
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California, San Francisco
InventorsMichael R. Harrison, Richard J. Fechter, Arthur Moran
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for incrementally manipulating an internal body member of a patient are disclosed. The apparatus has a magnetic implant adapted to be received on a location of the body member, a platform external to the patient, and a magnetic member coupled to the platform, wherein the magnetic member generates a magnetic force between the implant and the platform to incrementally manipulate the body member. The implant and external magnetic member are preferably rare earth magnets or an array of rare earth magnets, and are configured to generate an attractive or repulsive force between the implant and the platform to reposition, reorient, deform, or lengthen the body member.
Claims28
An apparatus for incrementally manipulating the sternum of a patient, comprising:
- an implant adapted to be received on a location of the sternum, the implant responsive to a magnetic field;
- a platform configured to be positioned external to the patient;
- and
- a magnetic member coupled to the platform;
- wherein the platform comprises a chest plate configured to rest on the patient's chest without subcutaneous fixation into the patient;
- wherein the chest plate has a concave inner surface that is configured to be positioned substantially symmetrical sagittally across the sternum such that an apex of the concave inner surface lies substantially over the sternum when the platform is positioned over the chest;
- wherein the magnetic member is positioned substantially coincident with respect to the apex;
- wherein the magnetic member is configured to generate a magnetic force between the implant and the platform to incrementally manipulate the sternum;
- wherein the concave inner surface of the chest plate is configured to allow the sternum to deform outwardly from the chest.
An apparatus for incrementally manipulating the sternum of a patient, comprising:
- an implant adapted to be received subcutaneously on a location of the sternum, the implant responsive to a magnetic field;
- and
- means for generating an attractive force between the implant and a platform configured to be place external to the patient to manipulate the sternum;
- wherein the attractive force is distributed by said generating means on the chest of the patient at laterally spaced apart locations from the implant;
- said spaced apart locations being substantially equidistant on opposing sides of the sternum;
- wherein the attractive force is configured to incrementally reposition the sternum anteriorly outward from the chest of the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.