Pectus bar stabilizer

Abstract

A pectus bar stabilizer assembly and method includes a first base part separable from a second base part. The first and second base parts combine to define a channel therebetween. A pectus bar is received by the channel and a retainer assembly retains the pectus bar in the channel.

1 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly comprising: 
 a first base part separable from a second base part and defining a channel therebetween;    a pectus bar received by said channel; and    a retainer assembly retaining said pectus bar in said channel.    
     
     
         2 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one aperture is formed at least partially into said first base part and at least one aperture is formed at least partially into said second base part.  
     
     
         3 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said apertures formed in said first and second base parts passes completely through at least one of said first and second base parts.  
     
     
         4 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein both of said apertures formed in said first and second base parts pass completely through said first and second base parts.  
     
     
         5 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said retainer assembly includes a pin located in said aperture in said first and second base parts, wherein relative movement of said first and second base parts in a first direction is prevented.  
     
     
         6 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said retainer assembly includes a retainer and a stopping member.  
     
     
         7 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said retainer includes at least one rib.  
     
     
         8 . A pectus bar stabilizer as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said rib extends along a side of said channel.  
     
     
         9 . A pectus bar stabilizer as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said side of said channel includes a recessed portion below said rib, allowing said rib to be severed.  
     
     
         10 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said retainer includes at least two ribs.  
     
     
         11 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said ribs are secured to said first and second base parts.  
     
     
         12 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said ribs extend across said channel.  
     
     
         13 . A pectus bar stabilizer as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a first of said ribs extends along a first side of said channel and a second of said ribs extends along a second side of said channel.  
     
     
         14 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a portion of said stopping member is located in an aperture in said pectus bar.  
     
     
         15 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said stopping member is blocked from moving along said channel.  
     
     
         16 . A pectus bar stabilizer as claimed,in  claim 15 , wherein said stopping member is blocked by said retainer extending across said channel.  
     
     
         17 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said channel includes an aperture therethrough, at least a portion of said aperture in said channel being formed in each of said first and second base parts, said stopping member extending into said aperture in said middle portion of said channel.  
     
     
         18 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said aperture in said channel is threaded, said portion of said stopping member extending through said aperture in said channel having threading providing a threaded engagement between said stopping member and said d aperture in said channel.  
     
     
         19 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said stopping member is a rivet.  
     
     
         20 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said stopping member is a screw.  
     
     
         21 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising a tool associated with said stopping member.  
     
     
         22 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said tool is severable from said stopping member upon insertion of said stopping member.  
     
     
         23 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second base parts includes an aperture through a portion distal from said channel, said aperture allowing attachment of said pectus bar stabilizer to another structure.  
     
     
         24 . A pectus bar stabilizer assembly comprising: 
 a first base part separable from a second base part, said first and second base parts positioned together to receive a pectus bar; and    a retainer assembly retaining said pectus bar relative to said first and second base parts, said retainer assembly including a stopping member and a retainer.    
     
     
         25 . A method comprising: 
 positioning a first base part relative to a second base part to define a channel;    inserting a pectus bar into the channel; and    coupling the pectus bar to the first and second base parts.    
     
     
         26 . A method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said coupling includes positioning ribs over the channel.  
     
     
         27 . A method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein said coupling includes inserting a stopping member into the pectus bar between the ribs.  
     
     
         28 . A method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein said coupling includes severing a tool from the stopping member.  
     
     
         29 . A method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said coupling includes positioning ribs along sides of the channel.  
     
     
         30 . A method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said coupling includes placing a pin in an aperture passing through said first and said second base parts.  
     
     
         31 . A method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said coupling includes inserting a stopping member into an aperture at a base of the channel.  
     
     
         32 . A method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said coupling includes threading a stopping member into an aperture at a base of the channel.