Patent Abstract:
An assembly for surgically treating a chest-wall deformity may include an implantable stabilizer member, an implantable pectus bar and an implantable stopping member. The implantable stabilizer member may include first and second base parts and a channel defined by the first and second base parts. The stabilizer member may include first and second retaining bars extending between the first and second base parts and traversing the channel. The first and second base parts may be adapted to be secured to tissue of the chest wall. The implantable pectus bar may be receivable within the channel of the stabilizer member. The implantable stopping member may be adapted to be engaged with the pectus bar between the first and second retaining bars after the pectus bar is inserted into the channel to restrict movement of the pectus bar relative to the tissue.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/662,975 filed on Oct. 29, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/402,319 filed on Apr. 11, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/680,851, filed on May 13, 2005. The entire disclosures of each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present teachings relate to an apparatus for the correction of chest wall deformities, and more specifically to a pectus bar stabilizer. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    To correct chest wall deformities, a pectus bar may be fixedly mounted to supporting structure, typically cartilage, using a stabilizer plate, which generally includes a single plate having a recess through a central portion and apertures therein for receiving and fixedly attaching a pectus bar thereto. A pectus bar stabilizer may also include a series of apertures on distal portions for fixedly securing the stabilizer plate to the supporting structure. To remove or adjust the pectus bar, screws securing the pectus bar to the stabilizer plate must be removed. But the screws are often difficult to access and remove due to surrounding tissue or bone growth. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A pectus bar stabilizer assembly generally includes a pectus bar, a retainer assembly, a first base part and a second base part. The first and second base parts are separable from one another to facilitate removal and combinable to define a channel therebetween. The pectus bar is received by the channel and the retainer assembly retains the pectus bar in the channel. A portion of the retainer assembly may be removed, allowing the pectus bar to be removed or adjusted. 
         [0005]    Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present teachings will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first pectus bar stabilizer assembly shown partially assembled and partially exploded; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of one base part of a pectus bar stabilizer; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the base part of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the base parts of the pectus bar stabilizer as cut along line IV-IV of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the tool and stopping member; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a partial plan view of the tool and stopping member; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pectus bar stabilizer assembly shown partially assembled and partially exploded; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of one base part of the pectus bar stabilizer shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the base part of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a pectus bar stabilizer assembly shown partially assembled and partially exploded; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of one base part of the pectus bar stabilizer shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of the base part of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a pectus bar stabilizer assembly shown partially assembled and partially exploded; 
           [0020]      FIG. 14A  is a front perspective view of one base part of the pectus bar stabilizer shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14B  is an additional front perspective view of the base part of  FIG. 14A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 15A  is a rear perspective view of the base part of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 15B  is an additional front perspective view of the base part of  FIG. 15A ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of one base part of the pectus bar stabilizer shown in  FIG. 13  having an additional feature; 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a rear perspective view of the base part of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a pectus bar stabilizer assembly shown partially assembled and partially exploded; 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the pectus bar stabilizer of  FIG. 18 ; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is a sectional view of the pectus bar stabilizer of  FIG. 19  taken at line  20 - 20 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]      FIGS. 1-4  show a pectus bar stabilizer assembly  10  generally includes a pectus bar  12  and a pectus bar stabilizer  14 . The pectus bar stabilizer  14  retains the pectus bar  12  and may be fixedly attached to an external structure, such as cartilage. 
         [0030]    The pectus bar  12  may have a longitudinally extending bar of generally uniform thickness, a generally rectangular cross-section, and an end portion  24  opposite a second end portion  26 . The first and second end portions  24 ,  26  may include an arcuate periphery and an aperture  25 . A series of apertures  28 ,  30 , which may include internal threads, may be disposed inwardly from the end portions  24 ,  26 . 
         [0031]    The pectus bar stabilizer  14  may include first and second base parts  20 ,  22  and a retainer assembly  78 . The first and second base parts  20 ,  22  may be generally similar to one another, with minor differences that will be discussed below. For simplicity in the description, first base part  20  will be discussed in detail. 
         [0032]    The first base part  20  may include a body portion  32  and a leg  34  extending therefrom. The body portion  32  may include an inner body wall  36 , a top body surface  38 , a lower body surface  40  and an outer body surface  42 . The top body surface  38  may include three main sections  44 ,  46 ,  48 . The first section  44  is generally planar and includes a series of notches  50 . The second section  46  is contoured and slopes downward from the first section  44  to the third section  48 . The third section  48  is generally planar and extends from the second section  46 . The lower body surface  40  is generally planar and generally parallel to the first and third sections  44 ,  48  of the top body surface  38 . The outer body surface  42  connects the top body surface  38 , the lower body surface  40  and the inner body wall  36 . 
         [0033]    The inner body wall  36  may include two sections  56 ,  58 . The first section  56  is generally rectangular and has a width L 1  and a height L 2 . The second section  58  is generally rectangular and has a width L 1  and a height L 3 . The height L 3  of the second section  58  is less than the height L 2  of the first section  56 . A recess  60 , defined below the second section  58  and proximate the first section  56 , extends into the body portion  32  a depth of L 4  and has a width L 1  and a height L 5 . 
         [0034]    A leg  34  extends generally perpendicularly from the first section  56  of the inner body wall  36 . The leg  34  may have a width generally equal to the width L 1  of the first section  56  of the inner body wall  36  and may be divided into a first leg portion  62  and a second leg portion  64 . The first leg portion  62 , which is located proximate the body portion  32 , may have a generally rectangular cross-section and a height less than the height L 5  of the recess  60  in the body portion  32 . The first leg portion  62  of the first and second base parts  20 ,  22  may also each include an arcuate recess  63  at an inner edge portion  65  as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . The second leg portion  64  may have a generally rectangular cross-section and may be sized to generally fit within the recess  60 , having a height, length and width generally corresponding to the dimensions L 5 , L 4 , L 1  of recess  60 . 
         [0035]    A series of apertures may be located in the first base part  20 . A first aperture  52  may be located at a distal end  54  of the body portion  32 , passing through the third section  48  of the top body surface  38  and the lower body surface  40 . The first aperture  52  allows the first base part  20  to be coupled to a supporting structure, such as cartilage. A series of pin apertures  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72  may be provided in the first and second base parts  20 ,  22 . The pin apertures  66 ,  68  extend partially into the first base part  20 . The first pin aperture  66  extends into body portion  32  through the recess side wall  74  in the recess  60  of body portion  32 . The second pin aperture  68  extends into the second leg portion  64  through the second leg portion side wall  76 . The pin apertures  70 ,  72  in the second base part  22  may be positioned similarly to those in the first base part  20 , and may extend completely through the second leg portion  64  and the body portion  32  of the second base part  22 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the base parts  20 ,  22  may not include any pin apertures, eliminating the need for pins as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . 
         [0036]    The retainer assembly  78  may include a series of pins  80 , a series of retaining bars  82  and a stopping member assembly  84 . The pins  80  may be generally cylindrical members, sized to be located within the pin apertures  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 . The pin may include a first portion  81  and a main portion  83  generally extending therefrom. The first portion  81  of the pin  80  may have a diameter greater than the diameter of the main portion  83  of the pin  80 . The main portion  83  of the pin  80  may be smaller in diameter than the pin apertures  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 . The main portion  83  may be first inserted into the pin apertures  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 . The first portion  81  may have a diameter similar to the diameter of the pin apertures, resulting in retention of the pin within the pin apertures  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 , due to friction between the first portion  81  and pin apertures  70 ,  72 . 
         [0037]    The retaining bars  82  may include a first end portion  86  opposite a second end portion  88 . The retaining bars  82  may generally have flattened, substantially rectangular cross-sections with rounded edges at the first and second end portions  86 ,  88 . The retaining bars  82  may have a generally uniform thickness throughout their length. The first and second ends  86 ,  88  of the retaining bars  82  may be located in the notches  50  in the body portions  32  of the base parts  20 ,  22 . 
         [0038]    The stopping member assembly  84 , shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , may include a tool  90 , a neck portion  92  and a stopping member  94 . The tool  90  is generally cylindrical and may include a knurled surface  96  to facilitate grasp by a user. A distal end  98  of the tool  90  may be generally conical, having a greater diameter at a first end  100  and a reduced diameter at a second end  102 . A neck portion  92  may generally extend from the distal end  98  of the tool  90  to the stopping member  94 . The neck portion  92  may be substantially smaller in diameter than both the tool  90  and the stopping member  94  and provides a mechanism to separate the tool  90  from the stopping member  94 . The separation feature may be a necked-down portion facilitating separation by bending or twisting the tool  90  relative to the stopping member  94 , or may include a torque-limiting feature to sever the tool  90  from the stopping member  94  upon meeting a predetermined torque limit during insertion. The neck portion  92  diameter may be one-tenth of the diameter of the tool  90  and less than one-half of the diameter of the smallest diameter of the stopping member  94 . A variation may include a separate tool and stopping member. 
         [0039]    The stopping member  94  may include a hexagonal head  104  and a body portion  106  generally extending therefrom. The hexagonal head  104  may be attached to the neck portion  92 . The body portion  106  may include an unthreaded portion  108  and a threaded portion  110 . The unthreaded portion  108  may be located proximate the hexagonal head  104  and the threaded portion  110  may be located at the end of the body portion  106  distal from the hexagonal head  104 . 
         [0040]    The pectus bar stabilizer assembly  10  may retain the pectus bar  12  through the first and second base parts  20 ,  22  and the retainer assembly  78 . The two base parts  20 ,  22  may be placed proximate one another, inserting the second leg portion  64  of the first base part  20  into the recess  60  of the second base part  22  and inserting the second leg portion  64  of the second base part  22  into the recess  60  of the first base part  20 . In this configuration, the first and second base parts  20 ,  22  define a channel  112  bound by the inner body wall  36  of the first base part  20 , the inner body wall  36  of the second base part  22  and the first leg portions  62  of the first and second base parts  20 ,  22 . In this configuration, the pin apertures  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72  of the first and second base parts  20 ,  22  are in respective alignment. 
         [0041]    Once the first and second base parts  20 ,  22  have been arranged to define the channel  112 , pins  80  may be inserted into the pin apertures  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 . The pins  80  may extend completely through the first base part  20  and partially into the second base part  22 , securing the first and second base parts  20 ,  22  to one another in a transverse direction relative to the axis of the pins  80 . Next, the retaining bars  82  may be placed over the channel  112 . The first and second ends  86 ,  88  may be located within the notches  50  in the body portion  32  of the first and second base parts  20 ,  22  and welded in place. The retaining bars  82  secure the first and second base parts  20 ,  22  to one another in a transverse direction relative to the bars  82 . 
         [0042]    Once the first and second base parts  20 ,  22  are fixedly attached to one another, a first end portion  24  of the pectus bar  12  may be inserted into the channel  112  below the retaining bars  82 . After the first end portion  24  is located within the channel  112 , one of the apertures  28  in the first end portion may be aligned between the retaining bars  82 . After the desired aperture  28  is located between the retaining bars  82 , the stopping member  94  may be secured in the aperture  28 . Once the stopping member  94  is securely in place, the tool  90  is separated from the stopping member  94  at the neck portion  92 . The hexagonal head  104  may provide retention of the pectus bar  12 . The body portion  106  of the stopping member  94  may be attached to the aperture  28  in the pectus bar  12  and the hexagonal head  104  may extend above the pectus bar  12 , preventing the pectus bar  12  from translating axially beyond the retaining bars  82 . 
         [0043]    In  FIGS. 1-3 , the stopping member  94  is shown only passing through the pectus bar because the channel  112  has no aperture therethrough. As shown in  FIGS. 7-9  the channel may have an aperture allowing for passage of the stopping member  94  therethrough, providing further retention. The stopping member  94  may include an additional portion extending beyond the threaded portion  110 . This additional portion may be unthreaded, as shown in  FIG. 7 , or may be threaded. 
         [0044]    Other stopping members may be used for retention of the pectus bar  12  within the pectus bar stabilizer  14 . One such example is a rivet, which may be applied to an aperture  28  in the pectus bar  12 , leaving a head portion exposed above the pectus bar  12  and retaining the pectus bar  12  within the pectus bar stabilizer  14  as described above. 
         [0045]    The pectus bar  12  may be removed from the pectus bar stabilizer  14  without removing any of the stopping members  94 . One of the retaining bars  82  located distal from the retained end portion  24 ,  26  may be removed allowing the pectus bar  12  to translate axially in a direction free of the bars  82 . Both bars  82  may also be removed to eliminate retention of the pectus bar  82  within the pectus bar stabilizer  14 . 
         [0046]    The pectus bar stabilizer  14  may generally be attached to an external structure, such as cartilage. The pectus bar stabilizer  14  may be attached using the apertures  52  located in the distal portions of the first and second base parts  20 ,  22 . The attachment may be made using any suitable method including sutures, screws or some other form of attachment. 
         [0047]    A typical pectus bar stabilizer assembly  10  may include two pectus bar stabilizers  14 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The second pectus bar stabilizer  14  may be identical to the first pectus bar stabilizer  14 , as described above. A second end portion  26  of the pectus bar  12  may be attached to the second pectus bar stabilizer  14  through a second series of apertures  30  in a manner similar to that described above. 
         [0048]    An additional pectus bar stabilizer assembly  210  is shown in  FIGS. 10-12  and generally includes a pectus bar  12  and a pectus bar stabilizer  214 . The pectus bar stabilizer  214  retains the pectus bar  12  and may be fixedly attached to an external structure, such as cartilage. 
         [0049]    The pectus bar stabilizer  214  may include first and second base parts  220 ,  222  and a retainer assembly  278 . The first and second base parts  220 ,  222  may be generally similar to one another. For simplicity in the description, only first base part  220  will be discussed in detail with the understanding that the second base part  222  is similar in structure. 
         [0050]    The first base part  220  may include a first end  232 , a second end  234  and a channel  212  disposed therebetween. The first and second ends  232 ,  234  are generally similar and only the first end  232  will be discussed in detail. The first end  232  may include an channel wall  236 , a top body surface  238 , a lower body surface  240  and an outer body surface  242 . The top body surface  238  may include three main sections  244 ,  246 ,  248 . The first section  244  is generally planar and includes a series of notches  250 . The second section  246  is contoured and slopes downward from the first section  244  to the third section  248 . The third section  248  is generally planar and extends from the second section  246 . An arcuate recess  252  is formed through the third section  248  of the top body surface  238 . The arcuate recess  252  aligns with a similar arcuate recess  252  on the second base part  222 , generally forming an aperture through the first end  232  thereof. The lower body surface  240  is generally planar and generally parallel to the first and third sections  244 ,  248  of the top body surface  238 . The outer body surface  242  connects the top body surface  238 , the lower body surface  240  and the channel wall  236 . 
         [0051]    The channel walls  236  define the width of the channel  212  and the middle portion  262  defines the lower structure of the channel  212 . A series of channel notches  268  are located in the channel walls  236  and the first section  244  of the top body surface  238 . A threaded arcuate recess  266  may be formed on the inner surface of the middle portion  262 . When the first and second base parts  220 ,  222  are assembled the threaded arcuate recesses  266  of each align, forming a threaded aperture. 
         [0052]    The retainer assembly  278  may include a series of retaining bars  282  and a stopping member assembly  284 . The retaining bars  282  may include a first end portion  286  opposite a second end portion  288 . The retaining bars  282  may generally have flattened, substantially rectangular cross-sections with rounded edges at the first and second end portions  286 ,  288 . The retaining bars  282  may have a generally uniform thickness throughout their length. The first and second ends  286 ,  288  of the retaining bars  282  may be located in the notches  250  in the first and second ends  232 ,  234  of the base parts  220 ,  222 . 
         [0053]    The stopping member assembly  284  may include a tool  90 , a neck portion  92  and a stopping member  94  similar to that described above. The stopping member  94  may include an additional threaded portion extending beyond the threaded portion  110 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0054]    The pectus bar stabilizer assembly  210  may retain the pectus bar  12  through the first and second base parts  220 ,  222  and the retainer assembly  278 . The two base parts  220 ,  222  may be placed proximate one another defining a channel  212  bound by the channel walls  236  and middle portion  262 . In this configuration, the notches  250  of the first and second base parts  220 ,  222  are in respective alignment. 
         [0055]    Once the first and second base parts  220 ,  222  have been arranged to define the channel  212 , the retaining bars  282  may be placed along the sides if the channel  212 . The first and second ends  286 ,  288  may be located within the notches  250  in the first and second ends  232 ,  234  of the first and second base parts  220 ,  222  and welded in place. The retaining bars  282  secure the first and second base parts  220 ,  222  to one another in both a transverse direction and an axial direction relative to the bars  282 . 
         [0056]    Once the first and second base parts  220 ,  222  are fixedly attached to one another, a first end portion  24  of the pectus bar  12  may be inserted into the channel  212 . After the first end portion  24  is located within the channel  212 , one of the apertures  28  in the first end portion may be aligned with the aperture formed by the threaded arcuate recesses  266  in the middle portion  262 . After the desired aperture  28  is located above the aperture formed by the threaded arcuate recesses  266 , the stopping member  94  may be threaded into the aperture  28  and through the aperture formed by the threaded arcuate recesses  266  as well. Once the stopping member  94  is securely in place, the tool  90  is separated from the stopping member  94  at the neck portion  92 . The hexagonal head  104  may provide retention of the pectus bar  12 . The body portion  106  of the stopping member  94  may be attached to both the aperture  28  in the pectus bar  12  and the aperture formed by the threaded arcuate recesses  266 . The hexagonal head  104  may extend above the pectus bar  12 , providing for removal of the stopping member  94  from the pectus bar  12  if desired. 
         [0057]    Other stopping members may be used for retention of the pectus bar  12  within the pectus bar stabilizer  14 . One such example is a rivet, which may be applied to an aperture  28  in the pectus bar  12 , leaving a head portion exposed above the pectus bar  12  to retain the pectus bar  12  within the pectus bar stabilizer  214  as described above. 
         [0058]    The pectus bar  12  may be removed from the pectus bar stabilizer  214  without removing any of the stopping members  94 . The retaining bars  282  located distal from the retained end portion  24 ,  26  may be removed allowing one of the base parts  220 ,  222  to be removed. The pectus bar  12  may then translate axially in a direction free of the aperture formed by the threaded arcuate recesses  266 . The stopping member  94  may also be removed, freeing the pectus bar  12  from the pectus bar stabilizer  214 . 
         [0059]    The pectus bar stabilizer  214  may generally be attached to an external structure, such as cartilage as previously discussed. 
         [0060]    A further example of a pectus bar stabilizer assembly  310  is shown in  FIGS. 13-15  and may generally include a pectus bar  12  and a pectus bar stabilizer  314 . The pectus bar stabilizer  314  retains the pectus bar  12  and may be fixedly attached to an external structure, such as cartilage. 
         [0061]    The pectus bar stabilizer  314  may include first and second base parts  320 ,  322  and a retainer assembly  378 . The first and second base parts  320 ,  322  may be generally similar to one another. For simplicity in the description, only first base part  320  will be discussed in detail with the understanding that the second base part  322  is similar in structure. 
         [0062]    The first base part  320  may include a body portion  332  and a leg  334  extending therefrom. The body portion  332  may include an inner body wall  336 , a top body surface  338 , a lower body surface  340  and an outer body surface  342 . The top body surface  338  may include three main sections  344 ,  346 ,  348 . The first section  344  is generally planar and includes a retainer recess  350 . 
         [0063]    The retainer recess  350  may include a first recess  350   a  forming a channel in the first section  344  that is generally parallel to the inner body wall  336 . The first recess  350   a  may extend the entire width of the first section  344 . The first recess  350   a  may be defined by an outer wall  351  and an inner wall  353  located opposite one another. The inner wall  353  may include two discrete sections  353   a,    353   b  forming an opening  350   b  therebetween. 
         [0064]    The second section  346  is contoured and slopes downward from the first section  344  to the third section  348 . The third section  348  is generally planar and extends from the second section  346 . The lower body surface  340  is generally planar and generally parallel to the first and third sections  344 ,  348  of the top body surface  338 . The outer body surface  342  connects the top body surface  338 , the lower body surface  340  and the inner body wall  336 . 
         [0065]    The inner body wall  336  may include two sections  356 ,  358 . The first section  356  is generally rectangular and has a width L 31  and a height L 32 . The second section  358  is generally rectangular and has a width L 31  and a height L 33 . The height L 33  of the second section  358  is less than the height L 32  of the first section  356 . A recess  360 , defined below the second section  358  and proximate the first section  356 , extends into the body portion  332  a depth of L 34  at the outer body surface  342  and has a height L 35 . The recess  360  may include an upper recess  360   a  and a lower recess  360   b.  The upper recess  360   a  is defined by a first recess wall  361 , an upper recess surface  367 , a lower recess surface  369 , and the plane of the second section  358 . The first recess wall  361  may have a generally curved profile and extends from the outer body surface  342  to the first section  356 . The lower recess  360   b  is located below the upper recess  360   a  and extends into the body portion a distance L 37  at the outer body surface  342 . The lower recess  360   b  is defined by a second recess wall  371 , the plane of the lower recess surface  369 , the plane of the lower body surface  340 , and the plane of the second section  358 . The second recess wall  371  may have a generally curved profile and extends from the outer body surface  342  to the first section  356 . 
         [0066]    A leg  334  extends generally perpendicularly from the first section  356  of the inner body wall  336 . The leg  334  may be divided into a first leg portion  362  and a second leg portion  364 . The first leg portion  362 , which is located proximate the body portion  332 , may have a generally rectangular cross-section and a height less than the height L 36  defined between the second section  358  and the lower body surface  340 . The first leg portion  362  of the first and second base parts  320 ,  322  may also each include an arcuate recess  363  at an inner edge portion  365  as shown in  FIGS. 16-17 . The arcuate recess  363  may be optionally threaded (not shown). The second leg portion  364  may include a generally stepped arrangement having an upper portion  364   a  and a lower portion  364   b.  The upper portion  364   a  may have a shape similar to the shape of the upper recess  360   a  and the lower portion  364   b  may have a shape generally similar to the lower recess  360   b,  thereby allowing the second leg portion  364  to generally fit within the recess  360 . 
         [0067]    A series of apertures may be located in the first base part  320 . A first aperture  352  may be located at a distal end  354  of the body portion  332 , passing through the third section  348  of the top body surface  338  and the lower body surface  340 . The first aperture  352  allows the first base part  320  to be coupled to a supporting structure, such as cartilage. 
         [0068]    The retainer assembly  378  may include a retainer bar arrangement  382  and a stopping member assembly  384 . The retainer bar arrangement  382  may include a series of legs  386  interconnected by a series of cross bars  387  extending between the legs  386  and generally perpendicular thereto, forming a channel  389  between the legs  386  and cross bars  387 . The legs  386  may have end portions  391  extending beyond the cross bars  387 . The legs  386  may generally have flattened, substantially rectangular cross-sections. The cross bars  387  may also generally have flattened, substantially rectangular cross-sections similar to those of the legs  386 . The retainer assembly  378  may have a generally uniform thickness throughout its length. The legs  386  are located within the first recess  350   a,  extending generally parallel to the channel  312 . The cross bars  387  may extend across the channel  312  and pass through the openings  350   b  in the inner wall  353 . 
         [0069]    The stopping member assembly  384  may include a tool  90 , a neck portion  92  and a stopping member  94  similar to that described above. The pectus bar apertures  28 ,  30  may be threaded or the aperture  363  in the base parts  320 ,  322  may be threaded. If threading exists in either of these parts a screw may be used as the fastener and engage the threaded aperture. The stopping member  94  may include an additional portion extending beyond the threaded portion  110 . This additional portion may be unthreaded to mate with recess  363  in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . 
         [0070]    The pectus bar stabilizer assembly  310  may retain the pectus bar  12  through the first and second base parts  320 ,  322  and the retainer assembly  378 . The two base parts  320 ,  322  may be placed proximate one another defining a channel  312  bound by the channel walls  336  and middle portion  362 . In this configuration, the retainer recesses  350  of the first and second base parts  320 ,  322  are in respective alignment. 
         [0071]    Once the first and second base parts  320 ,  322  have been arranged to define the channel  312 , the retainer bar arrangement  382  may be placed in the retainer recess  350 , thereby extending across the channel  312 . The retainer bar arrangement  382  may then be welded in place. The retainer bar arrangement  382  secures the first and second base parts  320 ,  322  to one another in both a transverse direction and an axial direction relative to the retainer bar arrangement  382 . 
         [0072]    Once the first and second base parts  320 ,  322  are fixedly attached to one another, a first end portion  24  of the pectus bar  12  may be inserted into the channel  312 . After the first end portion  24  is located within the channel  312 , one of the apertures  28  in the first end portion may be aligned with the channel  389 . After the desired aperture  28  is located below the channel  389 , the stopping member  94  may be threaded, or otherwise fixedly secured, into the aperture  28 . Once the stopping member  94  is securely in place, the tool  90  is separated from the stopping member  94  at the neck portion  92 . The hexagonal head  104  may provide retention of the pectus bar  12 . The body portion  106  of the stopping member  94  may be attached to the aperture  28  in the pectus bar  12 . The hexagonal head  104  may extend above the pectus bar  12 , providing for removal of the stopping member  94  from the pectus bar  12  if desired. 
         [0073]    Other stopping members may be used for retention of the pectus bar  12  within the pectus bar stabilizer  314 . One such example is a rivet, which may be applied to an aperture  28  in the pectus bar  12 , leaving a head portion exposed above the pectus bar  12  to retain the pectus bar  12  within the pectus bar stabilizer  314  as described above. 
         [0074]    The pectus bar  12  may be removed from the pectus bar stabilizer  314  without removing any of the stopping members  94 . The retainer bar arrangement  382  may either partially or entirely removed. The pectus bar  12  may then translate axially free from the retainer bar arrangement  382 . The stopping member  94  may also be removed, freeing the pectus bar  12  from the pectus bar stabilizer  314 . 
         [0075]    The pectus bar stabilizer  314  may generally be attached to an external structure, such as cartilage as previously discussed. 
         [0076]    An additional example of a pectus bar stabilizer assembly  410  is shown in  FIGS. 18-20  and may generally include a pectus bar  12 , a one-piece pectus bar stabilizer  414 , and a stopping member assembly  484 . The pectus bar stabilizer  414  retains the pectus bar  12  and may be fixedly attached to an external structure, such as cartilage. 
         [0077]    The pectus bar stabilizer  414  may be machined as a single piece and include outer portions  416 ,  418  and a central recessed portion  420 . The pectus bar stabilizer  414  may include inner body walls  436  defining central recessed portion  420 . Pectus bar stabilizer  414  may further include top, lower, and outer body surfaces  438 ,  440 ,  442 . Top body surface  438  may include three main sections  444 ,  446 ,  448 . First section  444  may be generally planar. Second section  446  may be contoured and slope downward from first section  444  to third section  448 . Third section  448  may be generally planar and extend from second section  446 . Lower body surface  440  may be generally planar and parallel to first and third sections  444 ,  448  of top body surface  438 . Outer body surface  442  may connect top body surface  438 , lower body surface  440 , and inner body wall  436 . Central recessed portion  420  may additionally include a threaded or unthreaded aperture extending therethrough generally similar to the aperture created by unthreaded recess  63  in  FIG. 9  or threaded recess  266  in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0078]    A series of retaining bars  482  may be integrally formed with and extend between end portions  416 ,  418  and over central recessed portion  420 . The retaining bars  482  may have flattened, generally rectangular cross-sections. The retaining bars  482  may have a generally uniform thickness throughout their length. 
         [0079]    A series of apertures  452 ,  454  may be located in outer portions  416 ,  418 , passing through third section  448  of top body surface  438  and lower body surface  440 . Apertures  452 ,  454  allow pectus bar stabilizer  414  to be coupled to a supporting structure, such as cartilage. 
         [0080]    A channel  422  may be located in pectus bar stabilizer  414 . Channel  422  may have a starting point  424  located below and generally between ends of retaining bars  482 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , starting point  424  may extend through inner body wall  436 . An end point  426  of channel  422  may extend through lower body surface  440 . Channel  422  may take the form of a variety of paths allowing separation of outer portions  416 ,  418  once retaining bars  482  are severed, as discussed below. Channel  422  may be formed in a variety of ways, such as wire electrical discharge machining (EDM). 
         [0081]    Stopping member assembly  484  may include a tool  90 , a neck portion  92  and a stopping member  94  similar to that described above. Stopping member  94  may include an additional portion extending beyond threaded portion  110 , similar to that shown in  FIGS. 7 and 10 . This additional portion may be threaded for mating with a threaded aperture or unthreaded to pass through an unthreaded aperture in central recessed portion  420 . 
         [0082]    A first end portion  24  of pectus bar  12  may be inserted into recessed portion  420  below retaining bars  482 . After first end portion  24  is located within central recessed portion  420 , one of apertures  28  may be located between retaining bars  482 , stopping member  94  may then be threaded, or otherwise fixedly secured, into aperture  28 . Once stopping member  94  is securely in place, tool  90  may be separated from stopping member  94  at neck portion  92 . Hexagonal head  104  may provide retention of pectus bar  12 . Body portion  106  of stopping member  94  may be attached to aperture  28  in pectus bar  12 . Hexagonal head  104  may extend above pectus bar  12 , providing for removal of stopping member  94  from pectus bar  12  if desired. 
         [0083]    Other stopping members may be used for retention of pectus bar  12  within pectus bar stabilizer  414 . One such example is a rivet, which may be applied to an aperture  28  in pectus bar  12 , leaving a head portion exposed above pectus bar  12  to retain pectus bar  12  within the pectus bar stabilizer  414  as described above. 
         [0084]    Pectus bar  12  may be removed from pectus bar stabilizer  414  without the removal of stopping members  94 . Retaining bars  482  may be severed resulting in outer portions  416 ,  418  being separated from one another due to channel  422 . Pectus bar  12  may then be removed from pectus bar stabilizer  414  while still having stopping member  94  therein. 
         [0085]    The description is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present teachings.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0