Clamping assembly for external fixation system

• US 10,299,830 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2016
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cresina, Jeffery, Slagle, Paul Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Ellen C
• Application Number:
  US15/185,313
• Publication Number:
  US 20160287290A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/62 Ring frames, i.e. devices extending around the bones to be positioned A61B17/6433 , A61B17/66 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/6416 with non-continuous, e.g. hinged, pin-clamp connecting element A61B17/6425, A61B17/6441 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/6441 Bilateral fixators, i.e. with both ends of pins or wires clamped
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/645 comprising a framework A61B17/6425, A61B17/6441 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/6458 with pin-clamps fixed at ends of connecting element
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/66 Alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0042 with special provisions for gripping

Abstract

A clamping assembly for an external fixation system, comprising a clamp body having an opening for receiving a bone fixation member; a pivotably rotatable locking arm associated with the clamp body, the locking arm being configured to provisionally hold the bone fixation member inside the opening of the clamp body; and a cam arm coupled to the locking arm, the cam arm being pivotably rotatable towards the clamp body to definitively hold the bone fixation member inside the opening of the clamp body.

Claims

1. A clamping assembly for an external fixation system, comprising:

a clamp body having an opening for receiving a bone fixation member;

a pivotably rotatable locking arm associated with the clamp body;

the locking arm being configured to provisionally hold the bone fixation member inside the opening of the clamp body, wherein the opening is partially defined by the locking arm;

a cam arm coupled to the locking arm, wherein the locking arm and the cam arm pivotably rotate in the same direction to definitively hold the bone fixation member inside the opening of the clamp body; and

a plurality of slots formed into the clamp body, wherein at least one of the plurality of slots has an end that terminates into the opening of the clamp body.

2. The clamping assembly of claim 1, wherein the opening is defined between a pair of jaws that are configured to snappingly engage the bone fixation member as the bone fixation member is introduced into the opening.

3. The clamping assembly of claim 2, wherein the clamp body further comprises a second opening for receiving a second bone fixation member, the second opening being defined between a second pair of jaws that are configured to snappingly engage the second bone fixation member as the second bone fixation member is introduced into the second opening.

4. The clamping assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second clamp body operably interconnected with the first clamp body.

5. The clamping assembly of claim 4, wherein the first and second clamp bodies share a common through-hole, the through-hole being configured to receive a bolt that is threadable into the locking arm.

6. The clamping assembly of claim 5, wherein the locking arm includes internal threads that are configured to mesh with external threads of the bolt as the bolt is rotated about a longitudinal axis.

7. The clamping assembly of claim 5, further comprising at least one serrated surface that is configured to arrest rotational movement of the first clamp body relative to the second clamp body about a longitudinal axis of the bolt.

8. The clamping assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one serrated surface is disposed between the first and second clamp bodies.

9. The clamping assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one serrated surface is disposed on at least one of the first and second clamp bodies.

10. The clamping assembly of claim 1, wherein the cam arm is pivotably rotatable about an end of the locking arm and towards the clamp body to definitively hold the bone fixation member inside the opening of the clamp body.

11. The clamping assembly of claim 10, further comprising a cam pocket for receiving and engaging a portion of the cam arm as the cam arm is pivotably rotatable towards the clamp body.

12. The clamping assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tab extending from the clamp body, the tab including a through-hole for receiving a locking pin.

13. The clamping assembly of claim 12, wherein the locking arm further comprises an opening that is configured to align with the through-hole to create a common aperture for receiving the locking pin.

14. The clamping assembly of claim 13, wherein the locking pin is configured to prevent the locking arm from being lifted away from the clamp body when inserted through the common aperture.

15. The clamping assembly of claim 1, wherein the bone fixation member comprises a bone pin, a bone screw, a bone transfixing pin, a frame member, a rod or a bar.

16. A clamping assembly for an external fixation system, comprising:

a first clamp body having an opening for receiving a bone fixation member;

a second clamp body operably interconnected with the first clamp body;

a pivotably rotatable locking arm associated with the first clamp body;

the locking arm being configured to provisionally hold the bone fixation member inside the opening of the first clamp body, wherein the opening is partially defined by the locking arm; and

a plurality of slots formed into the first clamp body, wherein at least one of the plurality of slots has an end that terminates into the opening of the first clamp body;

wherein the first and second clamp bodies share a common through-hole, the through-hole being configured to receive a bolt that is threadable into the locking arm.

17. The clamping assembly of claim 16, wherein the opening is defined between a pair of jaws that are configured to snappingly engage the bone fixation member as the bone fixation member is introduced into the opening.

18. The clamping assembly of claim 17, wherein the clamp body further comprises a second opening for receiving a second bone fixation member, the second opening being defined between a second pair of jaws that are configured to snappingly engage the second bone fixation member as the second bone fixation member is introduced into the second opening.