Bone fracture compression device and method of usage

Claim 1

An orthopedic apparatus for compression of a bone fracture and extramedulary fixation of a rigid bone plate thereon said bone plate adapted to be positioned in contact with the surface of a fractured bone, aligned parallel to the axis of said bone and overlapping a fracture therein, said plate having at least two bone screw receiving apertures positioned in each overlapping portion thereof whereby at least two bone screws may enter each segment of said fractured bone, one of said apertures comprising an elongate slot adapted for situation adjacent a fracture in said bone and having means to receive a plate engaging pin means adjacent said slot; said apparatus comprising: a frame means including a bone plate engaging flange means having a depending pin means adapted for engagement with said bone plate; a threaded member extending upwardly from said flange means and journalled into said frame means, the end of said threaded member opposite said flange means extending beyond said frame means and carrying means for indicating torque applied thereto; cam means having external guiding cam surfaces thereon in threaded engagement with said threaded member and adapted to translate along said threaded member in response to rotation thereof; and, a movable subassembly carried by said frame having cam follower means drivingly interengaged with said guiding cam surfaces and adapted for translation substantially parallel to said flange means upon movement of said cam means, said movable subassembly including hook means for engaging a bone screw positioned in said elongate slot whereby rotation of said threaded member causes said pin and said hook means to move with respect to each other, the force necessary to effect such movement being shown by said means for indicating torque.