Patent ID: 8043290

Claim:
An apparatus for incrementally manipulating the sternum of a patient, comprising: an implant adapted to be received on a location of the sternum, the implant responsive to a magnetic field; a platform configured to be positioned external to the patient; and a magnetic member coupled to the platform; wherein the platform comprises a chest plate configured to rest on the patient's chest without subcutaneous fixation into the patient; wherein the chest plate has a concave inner surface that is configured to be positioned substantially symmetrical sagittally across the sternum such that an apex of the concave inner surface lies substantially over the sternum when the platform is positioned over the chest; wherein the magnetic member is positioned substantially coincident with respect to the apex; wherein the magnetic member is configured to generate a magnetic force between the implant and the platform to incrementally manipulate the sternum; wherein the concave inner surface of the chest plate is configured to allow the sternum to deform outwardly from the chest.