Sternum lifting device

Abstract

The sternum lifting device of the invention comprises a fixing structure designed to be fixed to an operating table; and a movable body connected to the fixing structure by means of a safety mechanism attached to the fixing structure, wherein the movable body is arranged above the operating table with the possibility of vertical movement; wherein the movable body has a plate that is concentrically rotatable about an axis that coincides with or is parallel to the vertical movement of the movable body; wherein said safety mechanism is designed to be manually actuated and to transmit and convert the actuation into a vertical upward movement of the movable body relative to the operating table; and wherein the safety mechanism is designed to hold the movable body in its position relative to the operating table in a condition of use in which it receives a downward force from the plate.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] STERNAL LIFTING DEVICE

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The purpose of this invention application is to register a sternum lifting device, which incorporates notable innovations and advantages over the techniques used to date.

[0005] More specifically, the invention proposes the development of a sternum lifting device, which, due to its particular arrangement, facilitates and ensures an adequate position of the sternum of a patient in surgical procedures.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the current state of the art, there are several surgical intervention techniques known that involve the patient's sternum.

[0008] All of them are based on a single point of fixation of a structure on a surgical table, which consequently implies a flexion of the entire structure without achieving a desired elevation of the sternum, even requiring manual restraint.

[0009] Also known in the state of the art is a lift with hooks and a reel, used in cardiac surgery but which is not suitable for surgery of the sunken sternum, because of its crude structure which does not facilitate the intervention due to having less mobility and being supported only by two hooks, it only serves to lift the skin, but not the sternum.

[0010] Also known in the state of the art is a crane-like arrangement, but with a square structure that is difficult to assemble and has a completely fixed and non-rotating plate.

[0011] The present invention contributes to solving and resolving the present problem, as it facilitates and ensures proper positioning of a patient's sternum during surgical procedures. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention has been developed to provide a sternum lifting device, comprising a fixing structure and a movable body, wherein the fixing structure is enabled for fixing to a surgical table; wherein said movable body is linked to the same fixing structure by means of a safety mechanism fixed to the same fixing structure, wherein said movable body is disposed on the same surgical table with the possibility of vertical movement thereon; wherein said movable body has a plate that is concentrically rotatable about an axis that is coincident or parallel with the vertical movement of said movable body; wherein said safety mechanism is enabled to receive a manual drive and a transmission and conversion of said drive into a vertical upward movement of said movable body in relation to the surgical table;and wherein the same safety mechanism is simultaneously enabled for maintaining the same movable body in its position relative to the surgical table in a condition of use in which it receives a downward force from the plate.;

[0013] Preferably, in the sternum lifting device, the movable body comprises a vertically arranged rack profile; wherein the safety mechanism comprises a housing provided with a latch and a toothed wheel that is in turn linked to a manually operated lever; wherein the toothed wheel engages with the toothed profile of the rack profile and is enabled for transmitting and converting a rotary manual drive received from the lever into a vertical upward movement of the same rack profile; wherein the latch contacts the same toothed profile of the rack profile and is enabled for maintaining the same rack profile in its position relative to the surgical table in a condition of use in which it receives a downward force from the plate.

[0014] Preferably, in the sternum lifting device, the latch is provided with an elastic mechanism that tends to fix the latch itself between the teeth of the toothed profile of the rack profile.

[0015] Preferably, in the sternum lifting device, the elastic mechanism comprises a spring. Additionally, in the sternum lifting device, the housing is fixed to a bar of the fixing structure by means of a clamp, which is in turn enabled for fixing the housing to the bar by means of screws.

[0016] Alternatively, in the sternum lifting device, the fixation structure is enabled for fixation at two points on the surgical table.

[0017] Alternatively, in the sternum lifting device, the fixation structure is enabled for fixation at a point on the surgical table.

[0018] Preferably, the sternum lifting device is made entirely or partially of medical-grade stainless steel.

[0019] Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to facilitate and ensure a proper position of the sternum of a patient in surgical procedures, raising the sternum to improve visualization and facilitate the insertion of a bar during the minimally invasive repair of the “Pectus Excavatum” (Nuss procedure).

[0020] Other features and advantages of the sternum lifting device will become apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1.- It is a schematic and perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the sternum lifting device of the present invention.

[0023] Figures 2 and 3.- These are schematic views from different perspectives of some details of a preferred embodiment of the sternum lifting device of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4.- It is a schematic view and indicator of an option of use of a preferred embodiment of the sternum lifting device of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the sternum lifting device of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic view showing the placement of a bar between the heart and sternum of a patient after use of the sternum lifting device of the present invention.

[0026] DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] The sternum lifting device of the proposed invention is designed for use in performing “Pectus Excavatum” surgery and for temporary use in performing sternum lifting surgery.

[0028] As shown schematically in Figure 1, the sternum lifting device of the present invention comprises a fixing structure 1_enabled for fixing to a surgical table 13 and a movable body.

[0029] In this preferred embodiment of the sternum lifting device of the invention shown in Figure 1, the fixing structure 1 is enabled for fixing at two points 11, 12 on a surgical table 13, and the movable body comprises a vertically arranged rack profile 2.

[0030] As can be seen in Figure 1, the fixing points 11, 12 consist of fixing flanges 111, 121 on the surgical table 13 and vertical bars 1111, 1211 composed in turn of two components to facilitate their entry into a cleaning and sterilization container.

[0031] In other preferred embodiments, the fixation structure 1 could be fixed to the surgical table with more than two fixation points, or even by other mechanical means.

[0032] Said rack profile 2 is arranged on the same surgical table 13, and is linked to a bar 14 of the same fixing structure 1 by means of a safety mechanism 3 fixed to said bar 14, and with the possibility of vertical movement on this same surgical table 13, as indicated by the arrow in figure 1.

[0033] The same rack profile 2 has at its lower end a plate 21 that is rotatable around and concentrically to an axis that is coincident or parallel with the vertical movement of the same rack profile 2, as indicated by the rotating arrow in the same figure 1.

[0034] In the sternum lifting device of the present invention, the aforementioned safety mechanism 3 is enabled to receive a rotary manual drive and effect a transmission and conversion of said drive into the vertical upward movement of the same rack profile 2, and the same safety mechanism 3 is simultaneously enabled for maintaining the same rack profile 2 in its position relative to the fixing structure 1 and the surgical table 13 in a condition of use in which it receives a downward force or tension from the plate 21.

[0035] In this preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 and in greater detail in Figures 2 and 3 from different perspectives, the same safety mechanism 3 comprises a housing 31 or plate fixed to the bar 14 of the fixing structure 1, the same housing 31 being provided with a latch 32 and a toothed and rotating wheel 33 which is in turn linked to a manually operated lever 34.

[0036] The housing 31 is fixed to a bar 14 of the fixing structure 1 by means of a clamp 35, which is in turn enabled for fixing the housing 31 to said bar 14 by means of screw elements.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, in this preferred embodiment, the bar 14 is provided with two joints 141, 142 that give it several degrees of freedom, which allows the rack profile 2 to be placed in a desired position without being interfered with by the vertical bars 1111, 1211 of the fixing points 11, 12. The bar 14 could even result in a diagonal position if the two vertical bars 1111, 1211 were located in different planes of the surgical table 13.

[0038] Also, bar 14 can be bent to facilitate its insertion into a cleaning and sterilization container.

[0039] Figure 3 is shown without the housing 31, so that it is possible to appreciate in greater detail how the toothed wheel 33 meshes with the toothed profile of the rack profile 2. This allows for the transmission and conversion of a manual drive received from the lever 34 into the vertical upward movement of the same rack profile 2, as also indicated by the arrows in Figures 2 and 3, since the housing 31 is fixed to a bar 14 of the fixing structure 1 by means of the clamp 35.

[0040] Furthermore, in the same figure 3, it can also be seen more clearly how the latch 32 contacts the same toothed profile of the rack profile 2. By means of an elastic mechanism, which may include a spring (not shown in the drawings), the aforementioned latch 32 tends to lock between the teeth of the toothed profile of the rack profile 2. Thanks to this, the latch 32 only allows the rack profile 2 to move upwards, but not downwards if it receives a downward tension or force from plate 21.

[0041] To proceed with the use of the sternum lifting device of the invention, the housing 31 must first be fixed to a bar 14 of the fixing structure 1 by means of the clamp 35, proceeding to a manual tightening of the clamp 35 on said bar 14 by means of screw elements, as can be deduced from the observation of figures 1, 2 and 3.

[0042] The clamp 35 is rotatable relative to the housing 31 by means of a threaded shaft integrated into the housing 31 itself. Therefore, the housing 31 can be kept in its proper vertical position regardless of the inclination of the bar 14 used from the fixing structure 1.

[0043] In addition, the same clamp 35 has an open part 351, as shown in Figure 3, to facilitate the placement of the housing 31 at any point on a bar 14 of the fixing structure 1.

[0044] In its use, the sternum lifting device of the present invention is very useful and advantageous for correcting the sunken sternum in patients, also known in the technical sector as “Pectus Excavatium”.

[0045] For this purpose, the sternum lifting device of the invention is used to elevate the sternum and thus implant a bar 4 between the patient's heart and sternum, as shown in Figure 6. If the sternum lifting device of the invention is not used to lift the sternum and pass this bar 4, the alternative surgery can be very dangerous. In the use of the sternum lifting device of the invention, it is also very advantageous that the plate 21 can be rotated with respect to the rack profile 2 and independently of the fixation structure 1, as shown by the rotating arrow, particularly in Figure 4. This ensures that the plate 21 can always be parallel to the axis of the sternum.

[0046] By manually operating lever 34 and the resulting rotary movement of the toothed wheel 33, the rack profile 2 can be raised and pulled and in turn raise the patient's sternum through plate 21, as shown in figure 4.

[0047] At the same time, the latch 32, through its elastic mechanism, tends to fix itself between the teeth of the toothed profile of the rack profile 2, preventing the descent of the rack profile 2 and the plate 21, and therefore of the patient's sternum, and ensuring its position for the implantation of the bar 4 between the heart and the patient's sternum, as represented in figure 6. The bar 4 prevents the sternum from sinking again, so that the elevated position of the sternum will be blocked during the introduction of the metal bar 4, which is the most critical point of the operation.

[0048] Also, thanks to the described safety mechanism 3, the rack profile 2 can be fixed in any orientation with respect to the fixing structure 1.

[0049] In other preferred embodiments, as shown in more detail and schematically in Figure 5, the fixing structure 1 can have a single fixing point 11 on the surgical table 13, thanks to a toothed flange 5 or node that joins the vertical bar 1111 with the horizontal bar 14, since this toothed flange 5 allows a joining of two round bars and that they can be arranged at any angle thanks to their degrees of freedom.

[0050] This arrangement may be more appropriate if the patients are children.

[0051] Furthermore, the sternum lifting device of the invention is made of stainless steel (according to LINE-EN ISO 7153-1 for medical use) due to its resistance to oxidation, sterilizability, and ease of cleaning. The proposed sternum lifting device offers significant advantages by lifting and tractioning the sternum using a rack and pinion mechanism, providing an optimal working area for the surgeon through its tilting capability, and featuring a quick and easy clamping system for securing metallic sutures during traction.

[0052] The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements, as well as the materials used in the manufacture of the sternum lifting device of the invention, may be conveniently replaced by others that are technically equivalent and do not depart from the essence of the invention or the scope defined by the claims included below.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A sternum lifting device, characterized in that it comprises a fixing structure (1) and a movable body, wherein the fixing structure (1) is enabled for fixing to a surgical table (13); wherein said movable body is linked to the same fixing structure (1) by means of a safety mechanism (3) fixed to the same fixing structure (1), wherein said movable body is disposed on the same surgical table (13) with the possibility of vertical movement thereon; wherein said movable body has a plate (21) that is concentrically rotatable about an axis that is coincident or parallel with the vertical movement of said movable body; wherein said safety mechanism (3) is enabled to receive a manual drive and a transmission and conversion of said drive into a vertical upward movement of said movable body in relation to the surgical table (13);and wherein the same safety mechanism (3) is simultaneously enabled for maintaining the same movable body in its position relative to the surgical table (13) in a condition of use in which it receives a downward force from the plate (21).; 2. Sternum lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the movable body comprises a vertically arranged rack profile (2); wherein the safety mechanism (3) comprises a housing (31) provided with a latch (32) and a toothed wheel (33) which is in turn linked to a manually operated lever (34); wherein the toothed wheel (33) engages with the toothed profile of the rack profile (2) and is enabled for transmitting and converting a rotary manual drive received from the lever (34) into a vertical upward movement of the same rack profile (2); wherein the latch (32) contacts the same toothed profile of the rack profile (2) and is enabled for maintaining the same rack profile (2) in its position relative to the surgical table (13) in a condition of use in which it receives a downward force from the plate (21).

3. Sternum lifting device according to claim 2, wherein the latch (32) is provided with an elastic mechanism that tends to fix the same latch (32) between the teeth of the toothed profile of the rack profile (29).

4. Sternum lifting device according to claim 3, wherein the elastic mechanism comprises a spring.

5. Sternum lifting device according to claim 2 or 3 or 4, wherein the housing (31) is fixed to a bar (14) of the fixing structure (1) by means of a clamp (35), which is in turn enabled for fixing the housing (31) to the bar (14) by means of screw elements.

6. Sternum lifting device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing structure (1) is enabled for fixing at two points (11, 12) on the surgical table (13).

7. A sternum lifting device according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fixing structure (1) is enabled for attachment to a point (11) on the surgical table (13).

8. A sternum lifting device according to any of the preceding claims, which is made wholly or partly of medical-grade stainless steel.

Images