Patent DE676872C successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4573459A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thumb and finger extension device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-08-25
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Granted: 1986-03-04
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Expires: 2003-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A device for extending a phalangeal bone in the thumb or one of the fingers of a hand. The device includes proximal and distal pairs of bone pins, a pair of screw threaded bars for adjusting the distance between the pairs of bone pins, first and second pairs of guide posts and four pairs of pin retaining members. The guide posts and pin retaining members retain the bone pins in relative alignment as the thumb or finger is progressively extended by adjustment of the bars. Each bar is laterally offset from the corresponding pair of guide posts, while each pair of guide posts is symmetrically positioned relative to the bone pins. The device further includes a brass bushing press fit within each of the apertures which serves to maintain accurate alignment of the bone pins as the thumb or finger is extended. A retaining clip is removably attached at one end of each of the guide posts. Each bar includes a rectangular head for turning the bars and a measuring block medially positioned along the length thereof to assist in measuring the amount of thumb or finger extension.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce W. Litton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/60; A61B17/66; A61B17/64; A61B17/6408
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
An extension device for extension of a digit, such as a thumb or finger, comprising: a plurality of proximal bone pins adapted to extend laterally through a first one of two separated bone segments in a digit to be extended longitudinally; a plurality of distal bone pins adapted to extend laterally through the other one of said two separated bone segements; means for progressively extending the distance between said proximal and distal bone pins; means for maintaining said proximal and distal bone pins in relative alignment as said digit is progressively extended by operation of said extending means, said maintaining means including a pin retaining member corresponding to each of said bone pins, each said pin retaining member receiving a different one of said bone pins, and a pair of guide posts slidably received through each of said pin retaining members, said guide being positioned on opposite sides of said bone pins; and generally aligned with the direction of extension of said digit; and said extending means being laterally offset from said guide posts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
An extension device for extension of a digit, such as a thumb or finger, comprising: a plurality of proximal bone pins adapted to extend laterally through a first one of two separated bone segments in a digit to be extended longitudinally; a plurality of distal bone pins adapted to extend laterally through the other one of said two separated bone segements; means for progressively extending the distance between said proximal and distal bone pins; means for maintaining said proximal and distal bone pins in relative alignment as said digit is progressively extended by operation of said extending means, said maintaining means including a pin retaining member corresponding to each of said bone pins, each said pin retaining member receiving a different one of said bone pins, and a pair of guide posts slidably received through each of said pin retaining members, said guide being positioned on opposite sides of said bone pins; and generally aligned with the direction of extension of said digit; and said extending means being laterally offset from said guide posts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The extension device of claim 1 wherein said extending means includes an elongate bar having oppositely threaded first and second portions threadedly received within said pin retaining members respectively corresponding to said proximal and distal bone pins, said elongate bar thereby permitting the distance between said proximal bone pins and said distal bone pins to be varied by screw movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The extension device of claim 2 wherein said elongate bar is parallel to both of said guide posts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The extension device of claim 3 wherein all of said bone pins are parallel to one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The extension device of claim 4 wherein said bone pins are each perpendicular to the plane of said pair of guide posts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The extension device of claim 5 wherein said elongate bar includes a measuring block medially positioned along the length thereto to assist in measuring the progressive extension of said digit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The extension device of claim 6 wherein said pin retaining members and said guide posts are made of stainless steel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
129 words
The extension device of claim 1 which incorporates similar structures on opposite sides of the digit being extended by comprising: said maintaining means including a pair of pin retaining members corresponding to each of said bone pins, each said pair of pin retaining members being positioned on opposite sides of said digit being extended and forming an associated set of pin retaining members on each side; a pair of guide posts slidably received through each associated set of pin retaining members on opposite sides of the digit being extended, the guide posts of a corresponding pair being symmetrically positioned relative to said bone pins, said extending means including a pair of elongate bars, each said elongate bar corresponding to and laterally offset from a different pair of guide posts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The extension device of claims 1 or 8 wherein each of said pin retaining members includes at least one guide bushing defining an aperture through which one of said guide posts is slidably received, said aperture in said guide bushing being closely sized relative to said guide post to maintain accurate alignment of said bone pins as said digit is progressively extended.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-03 | 1989-09-02 | 1990-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-03 | 1993-09-02 | 1994-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-03 | 1997-09-02 | 1998-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |