Apparatus and Methods for Treating Pectus Excavatum

Abstract

Various embodiments provide an apparatus for treating pectus excavatum. A pectus bar apparatus includes at least one elongated bar having an offset bend between a first end and a second end, at least one aperture near the first end and at least one aperture near the second end, a planar stabilizer extending orthogonally from the elongated bar, and a pair of opposing rib reveals located between the first end and the planar stabilizer. A pectus excavatum treatment kit and a method for utilizing that kit are also provided.

1 . A pectus bar apparatus comprising:
 at least one elongated bar having an offset bend between a first end and a second end;
 at least one aperture near the first end and at least one aperture near the second end; 
 a planar stabilizer extending orthogonally from the elongated bar; and 
 a pair of opposing rib reveals located between the first end and the planar stabilizer. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pectus bar of  claim 1 , further including a connector channel proximate the second end of the at least one elongated bar. 
     
     
         3 . The pectus bar of  claim 2 , wherein a portion of a side of the at least one elongated bar includes a series of teeth. 
     
     
         4 . The pectus bar of  claim 2 , wherein a portion of the connector channel includes a series of teeth. 
     
     
         5 . The pectus bar of  claim 1 , further including a second pair of rib reveals between the first end and the planar stabilizer. 
     
     
         6 . A pectus bar assembly comprising:
 a first elongated bar having an offset bend between a first end and a second end, at least one aperture near the first end, at least one aperture near the second end, a planar stabilizer extending orthogonally from the elongated bar, a first connector channel, and a pair of opposing rib reveals located between the first end and the planar stabilizer of the first elongated bar;   a second elongated bar having an offset bend between a first end and a second end, at least one aperture near the first end, at least one aperture near the second end, a planar stabilizer extending orthogonally from the elongated bar, a second connector channel, and a pair of opposing rib reveals located between the first end and the planar stabilizer of the second elongated bar; and   a connector configured to be accepted by the first and second connector channels to thereby provide mechanical coupling of the first elongated bar to the second elongated bar;   wherein each of the first and second elongated bars includes a tool opening configured to accept a tool adapted to manipulate the first and second elongated into place within a rib cage.   
     
     
         7 . The pectus bar assembly of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second elongated bars includes a connector channel proximate the second end of the at least one elongated bar, the connector channel configured to accept the connector such that the connector is substantially flush with a surface of the at least one elongated bar. 
     
     
         8 . The pectus bar assembly of  claim 6 , wherein a portion of both the first and second connector channels includes a series of teeth, and the connector includes a corresponding series of connector teeth configured to mechanically interface therewith. 
     
     
         9 . The pectus bar assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first elongated bar includes a first saw tooth edge portion, the second elongated bar includes a second saw tooth edge portion, and the first and second saw tooth portions are configured to mechanically interlock when the pectus bar assembly is in a deployed state. 
     
     
         10 . The pectus bar assembly of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second elongated bars includes a second pair of rib reveals between its first end and its planar stabilizer. 
     
     
         11 . The pectus bar assembly of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the planar stabilizers is removeably attachable to its respective elongated bar. 
     
     
         12 . A pectus excavatum treatment method comprising:
 providing access to a rib cage of a patient;   inserting, within the rib cage, a first elongated bar having an offset bend between a first end and a second end, at least one aperture near the first end, at least one aperture near the second end, a planar stabilizer extending orthogonally from the elongated bar, a first connector channel, and a pair of opposing rib reveals located between the first end and the planar stabilizer of the first elongated bar;   inserting, within the rib cage, a second elongated bar having an offset bend between a first end and a second end, at least one aperture near the first end, at least one aperture near the second end, a planar stabilizer extending orthogonally from the elongated bar, a second connector channel, and a pair of opposing rib reveals located between the first end and the planar stabilizer of the second elongated bar;   manipulating, with a pectus bar tool, the first and second elongated bars such that they are correctly positioned and adjacent to each other within the rib cage; and   securing a connector within the first and second connector channels to thereby provide mechanical coupling of the first elongated bar to the second elongated bar.   
     
     
         13 . The treatment method of  claim 12 , wherein the first elongated bar includes a first saw tooth edge portion, the second elongated bar includes a second saw tooth edge portion, and the first and second saw tooth portions are manipulated such that they are mechanically interlocked when the pectus bar assembly is deployed. 
     
     
         14 . The treatment method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the planar stabilizers is removeably attached to its respective elongated bar. 
     
     
         15 . A pectus excavatum treatment kit comprising:
 a first elongated bar having at least one aperture near the first end, at least one aperture near the second end, a planar stabilizer extending orthogonally from the elongated bar, a first connector channel, and a pair of opposing rib reveals located between the first end and the planar stabilizer of the first elongated bar;   a second elongated bar having at least one aperture near the first end, at least one aperture near the second end, a planar stabilizer extending orthogonally from the elongated bar, a second connector channel, and a pair of opposing rib reveals located between the first end and the planar stabilizer of the second elongated bar;   a plurality of connectors, each configured to be accepted by the first and second connector channels to thereby provide mechanical coupling of the first elongated bar to the second elongated bar;   a plurality of fasteners configured to mechanically secure one or more of the plurality of connectors to the connector channels of the first and second elongated bars; and   a pectus bar tool;   wherein each of the first and second elongated bars includes a tool opening configured to accept the tool adapted to manipulate the first and second elongated into place within a rib cage.   
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the first elongated bar includes a first saw tooth edge portion, the second elongated bar includes a second saw tooth edge portion, and the first and second saw tooth portions are manipulated such that they are mechanically interlocked when the pectus bar assembly is deployed. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the planar stabilizers is removeably attached to its respective elongated bar. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the connectors includes peripheral teeth configured to interface with the connector channels of the first and second elongated bars. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the first elongated bar includes an offset bend, and the second elongated bar is substantially straight. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 15 , further including a third elongated bar.