Patent ID: 8236002

Claim:
A distraction and damping device for attachment to a child's thorax and spine, comprising: a first rod member having a first end; a second rod member have a second end; a mechanical coupler connecting the first rod member to the second rod member and allowing adjustment of a distance between the first end of the first rod member and the second end of the second rod member to straighten the spine of a patient; and a first damping member, having a first end coupled to the first end of the first rod member and a second end configured to be coupled to a first bone structure, the first damping member comprising a combination of a rigid element and a biocompatible viscoelastic element configured to allow cushioning of mechanical stresses; wherein the first rod member can translate linearly within the first damping member to adjust the alignment of the first rod member along a longitudinal axis of the first damping member, and wherein at least one of the first rod member and the second rod member is curved along its entire length; further wherein the device allows for simultaneous straightening of the spine and steadying of the thorax of the child during growth.