US5921985A — External fixation device and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 145 words

A device for clamping one or more fixation pins to a circular rod in a manner to prevent each pin from longitudinally or rotationally moving with respect to the rod, wherein said rod is positionable substantially parallel to a fixation surface, said device comprising: a clamp securely positionable both rotatably and longitudinally to a rod, said clamp portion including securing means disposed on opposite surfaces of said rod for securely positioning both rotatably and longitudinally at least one said fixation pin; at least one of said securing means including means for allowing said fixation pin to be attached to or removed from said fixation surface while other said fixation clamps remain attached to said fixation surface; and a mating threaded interface between said clamp and said rod, the mating threaded interface enabling said secure positioning both rotatably and longitudinally between said clamp and said rod.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 145 words

A device for clamping one or more fixation pins to a circular rod in a manner to prevent each pin from longitudinally or rotationally moving with respect to the rod, wherein said rod is positionable substantially parallel to a fixation surface, said device comprising: a clamp securely positionable both rotatably and longitudinally to a rod, said clamp portion including securing means disposed on opposite surfaces of said rod for securely positioning both rotatably and longitudinally at least one said fixation pin; at least one of said securing means including means for allowing said fixation pin to be attached to or removed from said fixation surface while other said fixation clamps remain attached to said fixation surface; and a mating threaded interface between said clamp and said rod, the mating threaded interface enabling said secure positioning both rotatably and longitudinally between said clamp and said rod.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device of claim 1 wherein the fixation pin has positive threads for engagement with the fixation surface.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 220 words

A device for clamping one or more fixation pins to a circular rod in a manner to prevent each pin from longitudinally or rotationally moving with respect to the rod, wherein said rod is positionable substantially parallel to a fixation surface, said device comprising: a clamp securely positionable both rotatably and longitudinally to a rod, said clamp portion including securing means disposed on opposite surfaces of said rod for securely positioning both rotatably and longitudinally at least one said fixation pin; at least one of said securing means including means for allowing said fixation pin to be attached to or removed from said fixation surface while other said fixation clamps remain attached to said fixation surface; said allowing means including a bolt having a hole therethrough, said hole being larger than the diameter of a fixation pin to be secured thereby so that said fixation pin having a positive thread end can pass through said hole; said allowing means further including a washer slidable along said bolt, the washer having a circular divot for frictionally engaging said fixation pin by decreasing the effective diameter of said hole when said bolt is drawn tight; and wherein said frictional engagement of said fixation pin in said hole is via at least three points of contact around the periphery of said fixation pin.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 220 words

A device for clamping one or more fixation pins to a circular rod in a manner to prevent each pin from longitudinally or rotationally moving with respect to the rod, wherein said rod is positionable substantially parallel to a fixation surface, said device comprising: a clamp securely positionable both rotatably and longitudinally to a rod, said clamp portion including securing means disposed on opposite surfaces of said rod for securely positioning both rotatably and longitudinally at least one said fixation pin; at least one of said securing means including means for allowing said fixation pin to be attached to or removed from said fixation surface while other said fixation clamps remain attached to said fixation surface; said allowing means including a bolt having a hole therethrough, said hole being larger than the diameter of a fixation pin to be secured thereby so that said fixation pin having a positive thread end can pass through said hole; said allowing means further including a washer slidable along said bolt, the washer having a circular divot for frictionally engaging said fixation pin by decreasing the effective diameter of said hole when said bolt is drawn tight; and wherein said frictional engagement of said fixation pin in said hole is via at least three points of contact around the periphery of said fixation pin.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 37 words

The device set forth in claim 3 further including: a mating threaded interface between said clamp and said rod, the mating threaded interface enabling said secure positioning both rotatably and longitudinally between said clamp and said rod.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 46 words

The device set forth in claim 3 wherein said washer and said bolt include a pair of mating surfaces for preventing rotation of said bolt and said washer with respect to each other so as to keep said divot lined up properly with said bolt hole.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 209 words

A method of attaching one or more fixation pins to a fixation surface, said method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning each section of a dual sectioned clamp on opposing surfaces of a circular rod, said positioning being at any place along said rod without regard to any other apparatus already positioned anywhere else along said rod, said clamp having a first portion extending beyond said rod proximally to said fixation surface and a second portion extending beyond said rod distally from said fixation surface, said clamp further having a semi-circular cutout in each said clamp section, said cutouts together surrounding said circular rod when said sections are in mating relationship; (b) loosely inserting a first bolt through said first clamp portion, said first bolt including a hole therethrough; (c) inserting and tightening a second bolt through said second clamp portion so as to frictionally lock said clamp at a selected attitude and position relative to said fixation surface; (d) positioning said first bolt hole with respect to said fixation surface; (e) sliding a fixation pin through said positioned bolt hole, said sliding being in a direction toward said fixation surface; and (f) subsequently tightening said first bolt so as to frictionally lock said fixation pin to said clamp.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 209 words

A method of attaching one or more fixation pins to a fixation surface, said method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning each section of a dual sectioned clamp on opposing surfaces of a circular rod, said positioning being at any place along said rod without regard to any other apparatus already positioned anywhere else along said rod, said clamp having a first portion extending beyond said rod proximally to said fixation surface and a second portion extending beyond said rod distally from said fixation surface, said clamp further having a semi-circular cutout in each said clamp section, said cutouts together surrounding said circular rod when said sections are in mating relationship; (b) loosely inserting a first bolt through said first clamp portion, said first bolt including a hole therethrough; (c) inserting and tightening a second bolt through said second clamp portion so as to frictionally lock said clamp at a selected attitude and position relative to said fixation surface; (d) positioning said first bolt hole with respect to said fixation surface; (e) sliding a fixation pin through said positioned bolt hole, said sliding being in a direction toward said fixation surface; and (f) subsequently tightening said first bolt so as to frictionally lock said fixation pin to said clamp.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 6 wherein a mating threaded interface is formed between said semicircular cutouts and said circular rod when said sections are in a mating relationship.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 6 wherein step (g) includes the substep of frictionally engaging said fixation pin to said bolt hole via at least three points of contact around the periphery of said fixation pin.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 6 wherein step (g) includes the substep of reducing the diameter of said hole through which said fixation pin has been passed.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 6 wherein said fixation pin includes positive threads on at least the end that passes through said bolt hole.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 288 words

A bolt device for use in an external fixation device wherein the bolt device is used to position a circular fixation pin to a circular rod, said circular rod having positioned thereon a dual faced clamp extending outward on opposite peripheral surfaces of said rod, said outward extension each having means for maintaining said clamp frictionally engaged with said rod via a mating threaded interface, one of said maintaining means including said bolt device, said bolt device comprising: a bolt having a head portion and a shaft portion extending perpendicular to said head portion, said shaft having threads at the distal end thereof; said bolt shaft further comprising a shank portion wider than said shaft, said shank portion positioned in contact with a bottom surface of said head portion and running longitudinally down said shaft a short distance, said shank portion having therein a hole, said hole having a diameter large enough to accept the positive threads of a fixation pin; said bolt device further comprising a washer having an inside diameter large enough to slide on said shank, said washer having a circular divot on a surface opposed to said bottom surface of said head, said washer keyed with said shank to prevent relative rotational displacement thereof, said washer further mating with said shank such that said divot is positioned to form a portion of the periphery of said shank hole such that when said bolt is tightened against said clamp, said washer slides along said shank, thereby reducing the effective size of said shank hole and frictionally engaging, via at least three points of contact, a fixation pin inserted through said hole; and said washer further disposed to frictionally engage said clamp via a non-slip interface.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 288 words

A bolt device for use in an external fixation device wherein the bolt device is used to position a circular fixation pin to a circular rod, said circular rod having positioned thereon a dual faced clamp extending outward on opposite peripheral surfaces of said rod, said outward extension each having means for maintaining said clamp frictionally engaged with said rod via a mating threaded interface, one of said maintaining means including said bolt device, said bolt device comprising: a bolt having a head portion and a shaft portion extending perpendicular to said head portion, said shaft having threads at the distal end thereof; said bolt shaft further comprising a shank portion wider than said shaft, said shank portion positioned in contact with a bottom surface of said head portion and running longitudinally down said shaft a short distance, said shank portion having therein a hole, said hole having a diameter large enough to accept the positive threads of a fixation pin; said bolt device further comprising a washer having an inside diameter large enough to slide on said shank, said washer having a circular divot on a surface opposed to said bottom surface of said head, said washer keyed with said shank to prevent relative rotational displacement thereof, said washer further mating with said shank such that said divot is positioned to form a portion of the periphery of said shank hole such that when said bolt is tightened against said clamp, said washer slides along said shank, thereby reducing the effective size of said shank hole and frictionally engaging, via at least three points of contact, a fixation pin inserted through said hole; and said washer further disposed to frictionally engage said clamp via a non-slip interface.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 197 words

A device for attaching one or more fixation pins to a fixation surface, said device comprising: means for positioning each section of a dual sectioned clamp on opposing surfaces of a circular rod, said positioning being at any place along said rod without regard to any other apparatus already positioned anywhere else along said rod, said clamp having a first portion extending beyond said rod proximally to said fixation surface and a second portion extending beyond said rod distally from said fixation surface, said clamp further having a semicircular cutout in each said clamp section, said cutouts together adapted for surrounding said circular rod when said sections are in mating relationship; a first bolt for insertion into said first clamp portion, said first bolt including a hole which can be positioned with respect to said fixation surface and through which a fixation pin can be inserted, said insertion being in a direction toward said fixation surface; a second bolt for insertion into said second clamp portion, tightening of either of said first or second bolts being independently effective to secure said clamp to said circular rod; and means for frictionally locking said fixation pin within said hole.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 197 words

A device for attaching one or more fixation pins to a fixation surface, said device comprising: means for positioning each section of a dual sectioned clamp on opposing surfaces of a circular rod, said positioning being at any place along said rod without regard to any other apparatus already positioned anywhere else along said rod, said clamp having a first portion extending beyond said rod proximally to said fixation surface and a second portion extending beyond said rod distally from said fixation surface, said clamp further having a semicircular cutout in each said clamp section, said cutouts together adapted for surrounding said circular rod when said sections are in mating relationship; a first bolt for insertion into said first clamp portion, said first bolt including a hole which can be positioned with respect to said fixation surface and through which a fixation pin can be inserted, said insertion being in a direction toward said fixation surface; a second bolt for insertion into said second clamp portion, tightening of either of said first or second bolts being independently effective to secure said clamp to said circular rod; and means for frictionally locking said fixation pin within said hole.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 27 words

The device of claim 12 wherein a mating threaded interface is formed between said semicircular cutouts and said circular rod when said sections are in mating relationship.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 12 wherein said frictionally locking means includes means for tightening said first bolt without allowing said bolt hole to rotate with respect to said fixation surface.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 36 words

The device of claim 12 wherein said frictional locking means includes means for frictionally engaging said fixation pin to said bolt hole via at least three points of contact around the periphery of said fixation pin.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 27 words

The device of claim 12 wherein said frictionally locking means includes means for reducing the diameter of said hole through which said fixation pin has been inserted.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 12 wherein said fixation pin includes positive threads on at least the end that passes through said bolt hole.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-07-12	2003-01-11	2003-07-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-07-12	2007-01-11	2007-07-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-07-12	2011-01-11	2011-07-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

External fixation device and method

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