US5630815A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
External fixator for military use
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-08-02
•
Granted: 1997-05-20
•
Expires: 2015-08-02
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides an improved external fixation device which is designed for use in the treatment of bone fractures in a military setting, and comprises a main hollow housing (11) having opposite open ends, first and second end closure members (12, 13) removably attached to the opposite ends of the housing, the member (12) comprising a drill handle forming element (26) while the member (13) comprises a chuck-forming element (31), the end members (12, 13) when detached from the housing (11) being adapted for gripping engagement within respective clamp holders (14, 15) so as to form a hand tool assembly which can operate as a brace-and-bit. A bit element (40) is releasably locked in the socket (38) of the chuck element (31). A holder unit (33) is housed within the interior of the housing (11) and serves to store the ancillary equipment (40, 41, 42) within the housing during transport of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony P. Pohl
- 👤 Bruce H. Ide
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/60; A61B17/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
An external fixation device for military use comprising: an elongate hollow fixator housing having a central bore extending therethrough, first and second end closure members removably attached to and closing off opposite open ends of said fixator housing, said first closure member comprising a chuck-forming element, said second closure member comprising a drill handle- forming element, said chuck-forming element and said drill handle forming element, when the device is in a transport mode of use, being housed within the bore of said fixator housing, a pair of pin clamp assemblies adjustably carried on the fixator housing for selective positioning along the length thereof, each said pin clamp assembly comprising a pin clamp holder supported by the fixator housing and projecting laterally to one side thereof, said first and second end closure members, when detached from the ends of the fixator body, being adapted for gripping engagement respectively within said clamp holders, with the drill handle-forming member and the chuck-forming element extending away from their associated clamp holders in opposite directions to thereby form, with the hollow fixator housing, a hand tool assembly which can be operated as a brace-and-bit, with a bit element being releasably retained within a socket of said chuck-forming element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
An external fixation device for military use comprising: an elongate hollow fixator housing having a central bore extending therethrough, first and second end closure members removably attached to and closing off opposite open ends of said fixator housing, said first closure member comprising a chuck-forming element, said second closure member comprising a drill handle- forming element, said chuck-forming element and said drill handle forming element, when the device is in a transport mode of use, being housed within the bore of said fixator housing, a pair of pin clamp assemblies adjustably carried on the fixator housing for selective positioning along the length thereof, each said pin clamp assembly comprising a pin clamp holder supported by the fixator housing and projecting laterally to one side thereof, said first and second end closure members, when detached from the ends of the fixator body, being adapted for gripping engagement respectively within said clamp holders, with the drill handle-forming member and the chuck-forming element extending away from their associated clamp holders in opposite directions to thereby form, with the hollow fixator housing, a hand tool assembly which can be operated as a brace-and-bit, with a bit element being releasably retained within a socket of said chuck-forming element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An external fixation device according to claim 1 wherein said bit element is a bone fixator pin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An external fixation device according to claim 2 wherein said fixator pin is of the self-drilling and self-tapping type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
An external fixation device according to claim 1 wherein said chuck-forming element comprises a spring-loaded detent which is arranged to lockingly engage within a locking groove formed adjacent one end of the bit element, when the bit element is inserted into the socket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An external fixation device according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and second end closure members has a threaded body portion which threadably engages with a respective end portion of the fixator housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
An external fixation device according to claim 5 wherein each of said first and second end closure members is formed with a cylindrical boss or skirt arranged to clampingly engage within a respective one of said clamp holders when the fixator device is assembled as a brace-and-bit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An external fixation device according to claim 1 wherein said fixator housing is cylindrically shaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
An external fixation device according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and second closure members is formed with a circular annular flange intermediate the ends thereof, the outer diameter of the flange being greater than the outer diameter of the fixator housing, said flange being adapted to abut against a respective end of said housing when the closure member is connected thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An external fixation device according to claim 1 wherein said handle-forming element comprises an elongate handle member which is rotatably mounted on said second closure member and is co-axial therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An external fixation device according to claim 1 further comprising a holder unit removably housed within the bore of the housing and adapted for the storage of ancillary equipment for the fixation device internally of the housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
An external fixation device according to claim 10 wherein said holder unit comprises an open-ended hollow container sized to slidably fit within said bore and locate between the inner ends of said end closure members, and an end closure cap removably attached to the open end of the container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
An external fixation device according to claim 11 wherein said end cap is provided with an integrally formed co-axial connecting stem extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to lockingly engage within the socket of said chuck-forming element to thereby hold the holder unit in fixed relation with the housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An external fixation device according to claim 12 wherein said connecting stem is adapted to engage with the socket with a snap-fit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
An external fixation device which is positionable in a first mode wherein the device is adapted for connection to a bone for rigid fixation thereof and in a second mode wherein the device is configured as a brace-and-bit, said device including a tubular housing with a chuck-forming member and a handle forming member carried therein, said handle forming member and said chuck-forming member, when said device is in said second mode, being connected to the housing at opposite ends thereof and being laterally offset from said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
An external fixation device which is positionable in a first mode wherein the device is adapted for connection to a bone for rigid fixation thereof and in a second mode wherein the device is configured as a brace-and-bit, said device including a tubular housing with a chuck-forming member and a handle forming member carried therein, said handle forming member and said chuck-forming member, when said device is in said second mode, being connected to the housing at opposite ends thereof and being laterally offset from said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 14 wherein in said first mode, said chuck-forming member and said handle forming member are carried within said tubular housing.
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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) | 2000-05-19 | 2000-11-18 | 2001-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-19 | 2004-11-18 | 2005-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-19 | 2008-11-18 | 2009-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |