Flail Chest Stabilization Bars Without Muscle or Rib Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stabilization methods for flail chest and chest wall deformities often require fixation to muscles, ribs, or surrounding tissues, which can cause additional trauma and complications.
Innovation Solution
A flail chest stabilization device comprising lateral bridges, main stabilization bars, and a slider-element connector assembly that implants without attaching to muscles or ribs, using a screw/fastener system and a slider introducer tool for precise placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing stabilization methods are used to fixate flail chest segments, then stabilization effectiveness is improved, but additional trauma and complications occur due to attachment to muscles and ribs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary fixation system consisting of plates and screws that attach to the inner surface of the rib cage without directly connecting to muscles or ribs. This intermediary approach provides stabilization while avoiding direct attachment to surrounding tissues, thereby reducing additional trauma while maintaining stabilization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization device is divided into multiple segments including separate plates for different chest wall sections and individual screw fixation points. This segmentation allows the system to provide comprehensive stabilization across multiple flail segments while minimizing the need for extensive attachment to surrounding tissues
2Reliability
If fixation to surrounding tissues is used, then stabilization is achieved, but surgical complexity and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
By using plates and screws as intermediaries that fixate to the inner rib cage surface rather than requiring attachment to muscles or ribs, the surgical procedure is simplified while maintaining reliable stabilization. This approach reduces surgical complexity by avoiding the need to dissect and attach to surrounding soft tissues
Data Source
AI summary
A flail chest stabilization device is provided that includes a pair of lateral bridges, a pair of main stabilization bars, a screw/fastener and slider-element connector assembly, and a slider introducer tool, where the slider introducer tool positions the slider-element, where the main stabilization bars are connected by the screw/fastener and slider connector assembly to the lateral bridges, where the stabilization bars are in a parallel configuration or crossed configuration.