摘要 |
A spiral distraction device is described. It comprises anchoring means (A, B) for attachment of the device to each side of a patient's existing mandible, conjoined intermediate bar means (C, D, J) adapted to attach to and transport moveable bone pieces (Dr. DI) on each side of the patient's mandible towards each other in a spiral vector that is larger than the patient's anatomical mandible contour, and means (E, F, G, H) to action the intermediate bar means to effect said transport. By spiralling the moving bone in opposite rotations, the moveable bone pieces can be transported to almost overlap with each other at or near the mid-line position. Removal of the distraction device from the patient once bone-transportation is complete allows the surgeon to "bend" the bone pieces back towards each other to achieve bony overlap and thereafter be conjoined in a wholly or substantially regular line across the midline.
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