The project will develop an alternative and affordable technique for sternal closure (after toracic surgery) using a semi-rigid fixation system. The technique will prevent the cut in and through the sternum bones during postsurgery physiological activities as coughing, deep breathing and sudden movement. Furthermore, the new device will be capable of maintaining a nearly constant pressure between sternum halves during rehabilitation of such patients, thus improving ostheosynthesis and healing. The new system will also guarantee cost reduction to hospitals both in terms of device cost and surgery timings several advantages:
Advantages regarding the product:
- the device will use the concept of semi-rigid fixation system, able to maintain a constant "elastic" pressure between sternum halves
- it will be affordable in its price, thanks to an optimised design, the use of plastic materials and the use of medium scale injection molding production techniques
Advantages regarding the clinical procedure
- Modification and optimization of the sternal closing procedure by the use of the new effective (rapid, time saving, safe, economic, error proof) system
- Cost reduction to hospitals both in terms of device cost and surgery timings
The market impact of such device will be therefore driven by both health and economic benefits:
- Optimization of the sternal closing procedure by the use of a time saving, safe, error proof, economic system
- Improvement of therapeutic performance (improved ostheosynthesis and general healing)
- Cost reduction to hospitals both in terms of device cost (in comparison to all existing systems including steel wires and thermoreactive clips) and surgery timings
