Sternal malunion is a complication resulting in displacement of the sternal halves following open heart surgery. Currently, little is known about the effectiveness of alternative fixation systems under physiologically relevant loading scenarios. The goal of this study was to mechanically test several currently marketed sternal fixation devices and compare them to a prototype device in different loading conditions to simulate sitting up or breathing. Each system showed unique differences in cost, failure mode and efficiency; however, no statistical difference in failure load or displacement was observed between the testing groups.

Creator

• Dieselman, John Conrad

Contributors

• Pins, George D.
• Billiar, Kristen L.
• Dunn, Raymond

Degree

• MS

Unit

• Biomedical Engineering

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Language

• English

Identifier

• etd-011212-115454

Keyword

• Osteoporosis
• malunion
• Sternum
• Rigid Fixation

Advisor

• Billiar, Kristen

Committee

• Pins, George D.
• Dunn, Raymond M.

Defense date

• 2010-11-11

Year

• 2012

Date created

• 2012-01-12

Resource type

• Thesis

Rights statement

• In Copyright