EXTERNAL FIXATOR RING

• US 20100305568A1
• Filed: 02/05/2009
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
• Original Assignee: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
• Inventors: Samchukov, Mikhail L., Birch, John G., Ross, John D., Cherkashin, Alexander M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,295,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/56
• 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 2017/564 Methods for bone or joint treatment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49963 Threaded fastener

Abstract

The present disclosure includes an external fixator ring that includes a central opening, inner and outer ring surfaces and upper and lower ring surfaces. In some embodiments, one or more apertures are defined in the inner or outer surface for receiving securing devices. The apertures in the inner or outer surface are adapted to provide rigid attachment for connection struts while allowing for a range of motion between the interconnected rings. In some other embodiments, the external fixator ring further comprises angled flanges extending radially from the inner or outer surface. The angle flanges each include a mounting surface, apertures are defined in the mounting surface of the angle flanges for receiving securing devices.

Claims

1. An external fixator ring comprising:

a ring with a central opening defined therethrough, the ring having inner and outer ring surfaces and upper and lower ring surfaces;

one or more apertures extending through the upper ring surface to the lower ring surface;

one or more strut connection apertures defined in the inner or outer surface, the one or more strut connection apertures extending at least partially into the inner or outer surface, wherein each of the one or more strut connection apertures is operable to receive a securing device.

2. The external fixator ring of claim 1, wherein the one or more strut connection apertures are defined in the inner ring surface.

3. The external fixator ring of claim 1, wherein the one or more strut connection apertures are defined in the outer ring surface.

4. The external fixator ring of claim 1, further comprising one or more flanges extending radially from the inner or outer ring surface, wherein the one or more flanges each comprise a mounting surface, the mounting surface having an aperture defined for receiving an additional connection element.

5. The external fixator ring of claim 1, further comprising an information indicator disposed on the ring.

6. The external fixator ring of claim 1, further comprising a securing mechanism for mounting a marker on the ring.

7. The external fixator ring of claim 6, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a pair of recessed portions defined in the outer or inner surface of the ring, and the marker comprises a pair of nodules disposed on a surface of the marker, the nodules being operable to fit tightly into the recessed portions.

8. The external fixator ring of claim 7, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a rectangular recessed portion defined in the outer or inner surface of the ring, and the marker comprises a rectangular peg disposed on a surface of the marker, the peg being operable to fit tightly into the recessed portions.

9. An external fixator ring comprising:

a ring with a central opening defined therethrough, the ring having inner and outer ring surfaces and upper and lower ring surfaces;

one or more flanges extending radially from the inner or outer surface, wherein each of the one or more flanges comprises a mounting surface, the mounting surface having an aperture defined therein for receiving a securing device.

10. The external fixator ring of claim 9, wherein the aperture has a threaded inner surface, and the securing device comprises a threaded stud.

11. The external fixator ring of claim 9, wherein the aperture has a smooth inner surface, and the securing device comprises a stud having an end portion, the end portion of the stud having a groove defined therein, and further wherein the fixator ring further comprises a threaded bore operable to receive a screw, the screw being operable to engage the groove of the stud when the screw is received in the threaded bore, thereby substantially locking the stud in place.

12. The external fixator ring of claim 11, wherein the screw is a set screw.

13. The external fixator ring of claim 9, further comprising one or more ring apertures extending through the upper ring surface to the lower ring surface.

14. The external fixator ring of claim 9, wherein the one or more flanges are angled.

15. The external fixator ring of claim 9, wherein the one or more flanges comprise a plurality of flanges, the flanges being equally spaced along the outer surface of the ring.

16. The external fixator ring of claim 9, wherein the one or more flanges comprise six flanges placed at having a radial spacing of about 60 degrees along the outer surface of the ring.

17. The external fixator ring of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of information indicators disposed proximate to each of the one or more flanges.

18. A method of assembling an external fixation device, the method comprising:

providing first and second external fixator rings, the first and second rings each having a central opening defined therethrough, the first and second rings each further having inner and outer surfaces, wherein one or more apertures are defined in the inner or outer surface for receiving a securing device;

providing a ring connection strut having first and second end portions;

coupling first and second securing devices to the first and second end portions of the ring connection strut;

mounting the ring connection strut to the first and second rings by securing the first securing device in the one or more apertures defined in the inner or outer ring surface of the first ring and securing the second securing device in the apertures defined in the inner or outer ring surface of the second ring.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising securing a marker to the first ring.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more apertures are defined in the outer surface.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more apertures are defined in the inner surface.

22. A method of assembling an external fixation device, the method comprising:

providing first and second external fixator rings, the first and second rings each having a central opening defined therethrough, the first and second rings each further having an inner and outer surface and one or more flanges extending radially from the inner or outer surface, wherein the one or more flanges comprises a mounting surface, the mounting surface having an aperture defined therein for receiving a securing device;

providing a ring connection strut having first and second end portions;

coupling first and second securing devices to the first and second end portions of the ring connection strut;

mounting the ring connection strut to the first and second rings by securing the first securing device in the aperture in the one or more flanges of the first ring and securing the second securing device in the aperture in the one or more flanges of the second ring.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first and second rings each comprise one or more flanges extending radially from the inner or outer surface, wherein the one or more flanges each comprise a mounting surface, and further wherein the one or more apertures of each ring are defined in the mounting surface of the one or more flanges of each ring.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the aperture in the one or more flanges of the first ring has a threaded inner surface, and the first securing device comprises a threaded screw, and further wherein the securing the first securing device in the aperture in the one or more flanges of the first ring comprises inserting the threaded screw into the aperture.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the aperture in the one or more flanges of the first ring has a smooth inner surface, and the first securing device comprises a stud having an end portion, the end portion of the stud having a groove defined therein, and further wherein the fixator ring further comprises a threaded bore operable to receive a screw, and further wherein the securing the first securing device in the aperture in the one or more flanges of the first ring comprises inserting a first screw into the threaded bore to engage the groove of the stud when the screw is received in the threaded bore.