Integrative Design of Biomedical Products

Flail chest, characterized by multiple fractured ribs, causes paradoxical chest wall movement leading to ineffective breathing and complications like hypoxia. The current solution involves rib fixation surgery, but there's a need for less invasive and more adaptable stabilization methods.

This project focused on developing a rib fixation device that enhances stabilization while actively supporting natural respiratory function. The solution chosen was an intramedullary stent, a minimally invasive device implanted within the rib, made of nithinol, a shape-memory nickel-titanium alloy, allowing the stent to provide robust yet flexible support that adapts to the natural movement of the chest. Simulations in SolidWorks and low-fidelity prototypes confirmed its structural integrity under respiratory stresses. This innovative approach holds the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes in rib stabilization surgery.