A telescopic thoracic deformity orthosis

Abstract

The present application provides a telescopic thoracic deformity orthosis. The orthosis comprises an arc-shaped orthosis body and a fixed assembly in sliding connection therewith. The first end of the orthosis body is provided with a fixing member, and the second end head thinning area is provided with a runway-shaped hole structure and a side wall groove. The transverse sliding assembly of the fixed assembly is in sliding connection with the protrusion and the groove, and the limiting assembly thereon can lock the sliding position. The orthosis realizes length adjustment through the sliding mechanism, and meets the growth needs of children. The use method comprises the following steps: marking the key points of the thoracic cage before operation; adapting and shaping the orthosis body; implanting through a single incision; passing through the retrosternal space under the guidance of thoracoscopy; turning over the orthosis body to lift the sternum; and finally fixing the two ends of the orthosis. The present application realizes the beneficial effects of minimally invasive implantation, precise orthosis and dynamic adaptation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a retractable chest deformity orthopedic device. Background Technology

[0002] Chest deformities, such as pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum, are common congenital chest wall developmental abnormalities in pediatric thoracic surgery. Among them, pectus excavatum is the most common, characterized by inward depression of the sternum and costal cartilage in the anterior chest wall, forming a funnel-shaped deformity. This deformity not only affects the child's appearance, leading to psychological problems such as low self-esteem and social isolation, but more importantly, it can compress the heart and lungs, restricting the development of cardiopulmonary function and causing a series of physiological dysfunctions such as decreased exercise tolerance.

[0003] For moderate to severe chest deformities, surgical correction is the only effective treatment. Minimally invasive surgery has become the mainstream approach. Its core lies in providing continuous and stable external force support to the concave or convex sternum through an orthotic device (or orthotic plate, Nuss plate) implanted in the chest wall, so as to gradually reshape the normal shape of the chest cavity.

[0004] Currently, widely used orthotics in clinical practice, such as the orthotic plate used in Nuss surgery, are typically made of titanium alloy or stainless steel, and their structure consists of a rigid component with a fixed curvature. This orthosis is pre-bent and shaped according to the child's chest wall morphology before or during surgery, and then surgically fixed to the chest wall. Once implanted, the length and curvature of this orthosis remain constant.

[0005] However, when these fixed orthoses are applied to children in their rapid growth and development phase, a significant and unresolved technical limitation emerges: they fail to adapt to the child's physiological growth. The thoracic cavity, as a three-dimensional structure, experiences significant increases in its transverse diameter, anteroposterior diameter, and circumference with height and weight. While a fixed-length orthosis may initially fit well with the thoracic cavity, after one to two years of growth, the originally appropriately sized orthosis may become relatively "shortened," failing to effectively conform to the inner surface of the thoracic cavity. This leads to at least two serious problems:

[0006] Decreased or ineffective orthopedic force: The ends of the orthosis may exert excessive pressure on the intercostal spaces, while the support force of the middle part on the sternum is weakened due to the widening of the thorax, resulting in poor orthopedic effect or even recurrence of deformity.

[0007] Increased risk of long-term complications: Fixed orthoses may cause abnormal stress concentration in the continuously growing thoracic cavity, increasing the risk of orthodontic displacement and overturning, and may lead to secondary deformities of the thoracic cavity at both ends of the orthodont or cause chronic pain.

[0008] To address this issue, the current clinical strategy typically involves removing the original orthosis via a second surgery after the child has grown for a period of time (usually 2-3 years), and then deciding whether a longer orthosis needs to be implanted depending on the situation. However, this requires the child to endure multiple anesthesias and surgical traumas, increasing medical risks, the family's financial burden, and psychological stress. Utility Model Content

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a retractable chest deformity orthosis that has the ability to extend or adjust autonomously within the body, thereby dynamically matching the changing chest size of the child within a treatment cycle (e.g., from implantation to final removal), providing continuous, stable and appropriate orthopedic force, avoiding orthopedic failure due to the child's growth, and ultimately eliminating the need for a second surgery to replace the orthosis.

[0010] The first aspect of this utility model provides a retractable chest deformity orthopedic device, comprising: an orthopedic body and a fixing component slidably connected to the orthopedic body;

[0011] The orthopedic body has an arc-shaped structure, including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; the first end includes a first longitudinal fixing component; the head end of the second end is provided with a thinning region; the bottom surface of the thinning region is provided with a hole structure for the fixing component to slide; at least one side wall of the thinning region is provided with a groove structure.

[0012] The fixing component includes a lateral sliding component and a second longitudinal fixing component perpendicular to the lateral sliding component; the lateral sliding component has a protrusion structure on its side that slides within the groove structure;

[0013] The lateral sliding component is provided with a first opening structure; the first opening structure is provided with a limiting component; the limiting component is disposed between the first opening structure and the hole structure to limit the sliding of the fixing component within the hole structure.

[0014] According to this utility model, in some embodiments, the first longitudinal fixing component is perpendicular to the orthopedic body; the first longitudinal fixing component is provided with at least one connecting hole.

[0015] According to this utility model, in some embodiments, the hole structure is a racetrack-shaped hole, which is composed of two semi-circular ends and two parallel straight edges connecting the two ends.

[0016] According to this utility model, in some embodiments, the sidewalls of the thinning region form a U-shaped structure, and groove structures are provided on the two sidewalls of the thinning region.

[0017] According to this utility model, in some embodiments, the limiting component is a screw, and the thread length of the screw is greater than or equal to the sum of the bottom surface of the thinned region and the transverse sliding component.

[0018] According to this utility model, in some embodiments, the orthopedic body is made of titanium alloy, and / or the fixation component is made of titanium alloy.

[0019] According to this utility model, in some embodiments, the retractable chest deformity orthosis further includes a flipping assembly; the flipping assembly includes a handle assembly, a clamping assembly, and a fixing screw;

[0020] The handle assembly is T-shaped and consists of a transverse grip portion and a longitudinal connecting portion, wherein the longitudinal connecting portion is provided with an axial through hole;

[0021] The clamping assembly is connected to the end of the longitudinal connecting portion and is used to clamp and fix the orthopedic body.

[0022] According to the present invention, in some embodiments, the retractable chest deformity orthodontic device further includes a shaping device configured to plastically bend the orthodontic body according to the target chest shape.

[0023] According to this utility model, in some embodiments, the retractable chest deformity orthosis further includes a thoracoscopic cannula, which is configured to pass through a chest wall incision and establish an operating channel for the insertion of the orthotic body.

[0024] This invention, through its structural design, allows for self-regulation and extension within the body throughout the child's long growth and development period. This dynamic adaptability ensures that the effective length and support curvature of the orthosis always keep pace with the child's increasing chest size, thus providing continuous, stable, and physiologically compatible orthodontic force throughout the entire treatment cycle. This fundamentally eliminates the risks of orthodontic force attenuation, secondary deformities, or orthodontic failure caused by the child's growth, and ultimately completely eliminates the need for secondary or even multiple surgeries to replace the orthosis, significantly reducing medical trauma, anesthesia risks, and the financial burden on families. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a retractable chest deformity orthopedic device;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall orthopedic body.

[0027] Figure 3 This is an overall schematic diagram of the fixed components;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall flip component;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall assembly of the flip-up component. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same components. It should be noted that the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this utility model pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar words used in this utility model patent application specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "inner," "outer," "upper," "lower," "far," "near," "front," and "rear" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. The accompanying drawings described in this disclosure are merely structural schematic diagrams.

[0032] like Figures 1-3 As shown, this utility model discloses a retractable chest deformity orthopedic device, including: an orthopedic body 1 and a fixing component 2 that is slidably connected to the orthopedic body 1;

[0033] The orthopedic body 1 has an arc-shaped structure, and the orthopedic body 1 includes a first end 11 and a second end 12 opposite to the first end 1;

[0034] The orthotic body 1 is made of high-strength, biocompatible titanium alloy. In some embodiments, examples of suitable products include: Ti-6Al-4V ELI, Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-6Al-7Nb, and β-type titanium alloys. Under thoracoscopic assistance, the orthotic body 1 is passed behind the sternum, flipped, and then the concave sternum is lifted using leverage to restore the normal shape of the thoracic cavity.

[0035] The orthotic body 1 is an arc-shaped structure, and its length and curvature can be selected according to the patient's age, gender, and degree of deformity. The normal human thorax itself is a three-dimensional physiological structure with a specific curvature. Designing the orthotic body 1 as an arc allows it to achieve a high-precision fit with the inner or outer surface of the patient's thorax.

[0036] In some preferred embodiments, the fixing component 2 is made of a high-strength, biocompatible titanium alloy material. Examples of suitable product types in some embodiments include: Ti-6Al-4V ELI, Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-6Al-7Nb, β-type titanium alloy, etc.

[0037] The materials of the orthopedic body 1 and the fixation component 2 can be the same or different.

[0038] The first end 11 includes a first longitudinal fixing component 111; the head end of the second end 12 is provided with a thinning region 121; the bottom surface of the thinning region 121 is provided with a hole structure 1211 for the fixing component 2 to slide; at least one side wall of the thinning region 121 is provided with a groove structure 1212.

[0039] The first longitudinal fixing component 111 is perpendicular to the orthopedic body 1; the first longitudinal fixing component 111 is provided with at least one connecting hole 1111.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the number of connecting holes 1111 is three. This invention does not limit the number of connecting holes 1111; it can also be set to two, four, five, etc. The connecting holes 1111 are used to fix the first end 11 to the bone or muscle layer via medical wire.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the head end of the second end 12 is provided with a thinning region 121; the term "thinning region" refers to a specific part of the head end of the second end of the orthopedic body, through machining or molding processes, so that the thickness of its material is less than the thickness of other parts of the component, thereby artificially creating a structural weak point.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the hole structure 1211 is a racetrack-shaped hole, which is composed of two semi-circular ends and two parallel straight edges connecting the two ends.

[0043] The racetrack-shaped hole allows the limiting component 3 to slide and position arbitrarily and continuously within its length range. It provides adjustment freedom in a specific direction (long axis direction), while ensuring rigid constraint in the vertical direction, and uses a smooth geometric transition to ensure long-term mechanical safety, thereby precisely achieving free adjustment of the orthotic length.

[0044] The fixing component 2 includes a lateral sliding component 21 and a second longitudinal fixing component 22 perpendicular to the lateral sliding component 21; the lateral sliding component 21 has a protrusion structure 212 on its side that slides within the groove structure 1212.

[0045] The lateral sliding component 21 is provided with a first opening structure 211; the first opening structure 211 is provided with a limiting component 3; the limiting component 3 is disposed between the first opening structure 211 and the hole structure 1211 to limit the sliding of the fixing component 2 within the hole structure 1211.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the sidewall of the thinned region 121 forms a U-shaped structure, which cooperates with the lateral sliding component 21 on the fixing component 2. The groove structure 1212 engages with the protrusion structure 212, thereby allowing the orthopedic body 1 to contact the fixing component 2.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, groove structures 1212 are provided on the two sidewalls of the thinning region 121. In a preferred embodiment, two protrusion structures 212 are provided on the two sidewalls of the lateral sliding assembly 21. The two protrusion structures 212 slide along the two groove structures 1212 respectively.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the limiting component 3 is a screw, and the thread length of the screw is equal to the sum of the bottom surface of the thinned region 121 and the lateral sliding component 21. That is, the screw is just locked in the hole structure 1211, flush with the bottom surface of the thinned region 121.

[0049] When the lateral sliding component 21 slides to the predetermined position and is locked by the screw 3, the end of the screw makes full contact with the bottom surface of the thinned area, forming a stable support surface. This effectively prevents any slight movement or rebound of the sliding component 21 at the limiting point when the orthosis is under load, ensuring the stable transmission of orthodontic force. At the same time, when the external force increases abnormally, this structure can directly distribute the stress to the orthodontic body 1 through the screw, avoiding complete stress concentration and providing mechanical overload protection.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the limiting component 3 is a screw, and the thread length of the screw is greater than the sum of the bottom surface of the thinned region and the transverse sliding component.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, in a preferred embodiment, the retractable chest deformity orthosis further includes a flipping assembly 4; the flipping assembly 4 includes a handle assembly, a clamping assembly 44, and a fixing screw 43;

[0052] The handle assembly 41 is T-shaped and consists of a lateral gripping part 41 and a longitudinal connecting part 42. The longitudinal connecting part 42 is provided with an axial through hole 43.

[0053] The clamping assembly 44 is connected to the end of the longitudinal connecting part 42 and is used to clamp and fix the orthopedic body 1.

[0054] The T-shaped structure facilitates hand operation for the surgeon, effectively preventing instruments from slipping or rotating during application of force. This ensures absolute precision in surgical environments stained with blood or bodily fluids, enhancing surgical safety. Furthermore, when the orthotic body 1 is flipped using the flipping assembly 4, the T-shaped structure constitutes a highly efficient lever system. When the critical flipping action of the orthotic body 1 is required, the force applied by the surgeon to both ends of the T-shaped handle is transmitted along the handle, generating a torsional torque far greater than that of directly rotating the straight rod. This allows the surgeon to perform a stable 180° flip of the orthotic body 1 within the chest cavity with relatively little hand force.

[0055] A fixing screw (not shown) passes through the axial through hole 43 from top to bottom, and its lower end is screwed into the clamping assembly 22 located at the end of the longitudinal connecting part 42 by a threaded structure.

[0056] By rotating the fixing screw 3, it can be driven to generate axial displacement along the through hole channel 24, thereby applying a vertical clamping force to the lower end of the orthopedic body 1, which is accommodated in the clamping groove of the clamping assembly 44, so as to achieve reliable locking of the orthopedic body 1 in the clamping assembly 44.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the retractable chest deformity orthodontic device further includes a shaping device configured to plastically bend the orthodontic body according to the target chest shape.

[0058] The shaping device can be independently driven and locked, thereby collectively defining a three-dimensional contoured surface that conforms to the patient's target chest shape. The orthopedic body 1 can be placed on this three-dimensional contoured surface and plastically deformed by applying external force, thereby being precisely shaped into the desired form. The shaping device is commercially available.

[0059] This invention, through its structural design, allows for self-regulation and extension within the body throughout the child's long growth and development period. This dynamic adaptability ensures that the effective length and support curvature of the orthosis always keep pace with the child's increasing chest size, thus providing continuous, stable, and physiologically compatible orthodontic force throughout the entire treatment cycle. This fundamentally eliminates the risks of orthodontic force attenuation, secondary deformities, or orthodontic failure caused by the child's growth, and ultimately completely eliminates the need for secondary or even multiple surgeries to replace the orthosis, significantly reducing medical trauma, anesthesia risks, and the financial burden on families.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the retractable chest deformity orthosis further includes a thoracoscopic cannula configured to pass through a chest wall incision and provide an operating channel for the insertion of the orthotic body.

[0061] The thoracoscopic cannula enables coaxial real-time visualization throughout the entire implantation process of the orthopedic components, transforming the previously "semi-blind" operation into a fully visible one, fundamentally reducing the risk of injury. The thoracoscopic cannula was obtained commercially.

[0062] Another aspect of this utility model provides a method for using a retractable chest deformity orthopedic device, specifically including the following steps:

[0063] S1. Preoperative marking steps: Measure the patient's chest dimensions to determine the appropriate orthopedic body and mark the lowest point of the sternal indentation and the corresponding highest points on both sides on the body surface.

[0064] S2. Orthopedic body preparation steps: Place the orthopedic body on the surface of the thorax to verify the matching degree. If the curvature does not match, use a shaping device to shape the orthopedic body into the predetermined shape.

[0065] S3. Component assembly steps: Install the clamping component of the flipping component onto the orthopedic body, screw in the connecting screw, and confirm that the screw hole on the orthopedic body is in a sealed state.

[0066] S4. Single incision establishment steps: A single incision is made at a preset position on the chest wall. Thoracoscopic cannulas are inserted through the incision to establish the operating field of view. After the cannulas are removed, the assembled orthopedic body is inserted through the same incision.

[0067] S5. Guided penetration step: Under the direct visualization of thoracoscopic guidance, the penetration end of the orthopedic component is passed through the retrosternal space to the marked position on the opposite side.

[0068] S6. Flipping correction step: Operate the flipping component to flip the orthopedic body at a predetermined angle to lift the concave sternum, and then remove the flipping component;

[0069] S7. Fixation Step: The first end of the orthopedic body and the fixation component are fixed to the bone or muscle layer by medical steel wire.

[0070] This method achieves minimally invasive surgery through a single incision, significantly reducing tissue damage and optimizing postoperative aesthetics. Substernal perforation is performed under direct thoracoscopic visualization, greatly enhancing surgical safety and effectively avoiding damage to vital organs. Combined with pre-shaping and rotation correction methods, it ensures continuous and stable corrective force output, resulting in reliable corrective effects. The entire procedure is clear, simplified, and significantly improves surgical efficiency. Furthermore, this retractable orthotic body provides a structural foundation for subsequent dynamic adjustment within the body as the child grows and develops, achieving the clinical goal of "one-time implantation, long-term effectiveness."

[0071] The above are merely specific embodiments of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A retractable chest deformity orthosis, characterized in that, include: The orthotic body and the fixing components slidably connected to the orthotic body; The orthopedic body has an arc-shaped structure, including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; the first end includes a first longitudinal fixing component; the head end of the second end is provided with a thinning region; the bottom surface of the thinning region is provided with a hole structure for the fixing component to slide; at least one side wall of the thinning region is provided with a groove structure. The fixing component includes a lateral sliding component and a second longitudinal fixing component perpendicular to the lateral sliding component; the lateral sliding component has a protrusion structure on its side that slides within the groove structure; The lateral sliding component is provided with a first opening structure; the first opening structure is provided with a limiting component; the limiting component is disposed between the first opening structure and the hole structure to limit the sliding of the fixing component within the hole structure.

2. The retractable chest deformity orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first longitudinal fixation component is perpendicular to the orthopedic body; the first longitudinal fixation component is provided with at least one connection hole.

3. The retractable chest deformity orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hole structure is a racetrack-shaped hole, consisting of two semi-circular ends and two parallel straight edges connecting the two ends.

4. The retractable chest deformity orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sidewalls of the thinning region form a U-shaped structure, and groove structures are provided on the two sidewalls of the thinning region.

5. The retractable chest deformity orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting component is a screw, and the thread length of the screw is greater than or equal to the sum of the bottom surface of the thinned region and the transverse sliding component.

6. The retractable chest deformity orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that, The orthopedic body is made of titanium alloy, and / or the fixation component is made of titanium alloy.

7. The retractable chest deformity orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retractable chest deformity orthodontic device also includes a flipping assembly; the flipping assembly includes a handle assembly, a clamping assembly, and a fixing screw. The handle assembly is T-shaped and consists of a transverse grip portion and a longitudinal connecting portion, wherein the longitudinal connecting portion is provided with an axial through hole; The clamping assembly is connected to the end of the longitudinal connecting portion and is used to clamp and fix the orthopedic body.

8. The retractable chest deformity orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retractable chest deformity orthodontic device also includes a shaping device configured to plastically bend the orthodontic body according to the target chest shape.

9. The retractable chest deformity orthosis according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retractable chest deformity orthosis also includes a thoracoscopic cannula, which is configured to pass through a chest wall incision and provide an operating channel for the insertion of the orthotic body.

Images