Device for maintaining a patient in a position and methods of using it

A device for maintaining a patient in a position in which a patient's sternum can be closed after open chest surgery, the device comprising:

• two contact members configured to contact a respective scapula of a patient and support means configured to maintain the contact members in a grip position in which, in use, each contact member imparts a lateral force on the respective scapula to close the patient's sternum by elevating the shoulders above the sternum of the patient, wherein:
• the support means is pneumatic or hydraulic and includes a respective inflatable bladder located on an underside of each contact member;
• the contact members each include at least one protrudeable element located on a topside thereof that are configured to increase the lateral force to the respective scapula when the contact members are in the grip position;
• the protrudeable elements are inflatable elements;
• and
• when fully inflated:
• (1) the protrudeable elements have a contour, and (2) the protrudeable elements are configured to only contact an area corresponding to the respective scapula of a patient such that the protrudeable elements remain beneath a patient.