EP0481697A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Translation/rotation device for external bone fixation system
Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc
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Filing: 1991-10-14
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-10-14
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for the fixation of bone fractures and the correction of congenital deformities uses an improved adjustment device (10) that allows selective rotation or lateral translation of one external fixation ring (33) with respect to other external fixation rings (34). The adjustment device attaches to a pair of first and second tie rod sections (32,35) and shifts the first tie rod section with respect to the second tie rod section during adjustment. The adjustment device has a lateral slot (13) that defines the path of movement for one of the translation rod sections. A travelling block (40) connected to the moving tie section tracks the slot during use.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael C. Sherman
- 👤 Robert Wigginton
- 👤 Dror Paley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/60; A61B17/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A bone fixator apparatus for the fixation of fractures and the correction of congenital bone deformities comprising: (a) a plurality of ring-like structures, each having inner and outer annular curved surfaces, and spaced parallel flat upper and lower surfaces (b) a plurality of openings spaced along the ring-like structures, positioned between the inner and outer annular curved surfaces and extending between the upper and lower surfaces; (c) a plurality of tie rods assemblies including rod members extending during use between the ring-like structures, connecting adjacent ring-like structures together to define a frame; (d) a fastener means for securing each ring-like structure to one or more of the tie rods, for maintaining spacing between the ring-like structure during use; and (e) translation means interfacing one or more tie rods for moving a first ring-like structure with respect to a second ring-like structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the translation means comprises a base with a travelling block portion, and threaded adjustment means for moving the travelling block portion relative to the base, the base and travelling block portions being attachable to first and second of the tie rods.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the base has a slot therein sized to carry the travelling block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 or 3 wherein the base has opposed openings that accept the threaded adjustment means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the threaded adjustment means is a threaded shaft rotatably mounted in the base and transversing the slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a thumb-screw having a gripping surface thereon for rotating the thumbscrew, and the thumb screw interfaces with the shaft so that rotation of the thumbscrew rotates the shaft.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the translation means, includes at least two, spaced apart translator structures and there are at least four tie rods connecting the ring-like structures, and two tie rods attach to each of the translator structures.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each translator structure has a base portion and a travelling block portion movable with respect to the base portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a tie rod affixes to each travelling block portion, and a tie rod attaches to each base portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
147 words
A bone fixator apparatus for fixation of fractures and the correction of congenital bone deformities comprising: (a) a plurality of generally circular rings, each having inner and outer curved surfaces, and generally flat, parallel space upper and lower surface; (b) a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings in each ring positioned between the inner and outer curved surfaces and extending between the upper and lower flat surface; (c) a plurality of tie rod assemblies including rod members extending between the rings and through at least some of the holes in the rings (d) fasteners means removably affixable to the rods for maintaining spacing between the rings during use; and (e) adjustment means for moving one of the rings with respect to other rings by selective rotation of one ring with respect to the other, lateral movement of one ring with respect to the other or a combination thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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