Orthopedic external fixator and method of use
First Claim
1. An orthopedic apparatus for bridging between a first bone unit and a second bone unit, the apparatus comprising:
- a) first attaching means for connecting said apparatus to the first bone unit;
b) second attaching means for connecting said apparatus to the second bone unit; and
c) control means operatively associated with said first attaching means and with said second attaching means to produce at least two conditions;
i) in a first of said conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a first direction relative to the first bone unit, andii) in a second of said conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a direction other than said first direction;
wherein said control means includes a reformably deformable member which urges said first attaching means and said second attaching means relative to each other.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An orthopedic apparatus is provided for bridging a first bone unit to a second bone unit. The apparatus is demonstrated on a finger joint, wherein one of the bones and/or ligaments and/or tendons of the joint is/are injured. A method for implanting and using the apparatus also is presented. The apparatus includes a reformably deformable span portion which is generally circular and preferably rhombic. By deforming or reforming the span portion, it can be repositioned laterally, and/or it can be rotated to allow range of rotary motion so as to promote healing.
107 Citations
37 Claims
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1. An orthopedic apparatus for bridging between a first bone unit and a second bone unit, the apparatus comprising:
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a) first attaching means for connecting said apparatus to the first bone unit; b) second attaching means for connecting said apparatus to the second bone unit; and c) control means operatively associated with said first attaching means and with said second attaching means to produce at least two conditions; i) in a first of said conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a first direction relative to the first bone unit, and ii) in a second of said conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a direction other than said first direction; wherein said control means includes a reformably deformable member which urges said first attaching means and said second attaching means relative to each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for using an orthopedic apparatus for bridging between a first bone unit and a second bone unit of at least one of the bones and/or joint for one of distraction, compression, static position and/or control of range of rotary motion of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) inserting at least one first pin transversely at least into the first bone unit, leaving an end of the at least one first pin sticking out from the first bone unit on one side of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint; b) inserting at least one second pin transversely at least into the second bone unit, leaving an end of the at least one second pin sticking out from the second bone unit on the one side of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint; c) positioning the apparatus on the one side of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint; d) sliding first attaching means of the apparatus over the end of the at least one first pin so as to allow the first attaching means to pivot relative to the at least one first pin when the at least one first pin is one pin, and sliding second attaching means of the apparatus over the end of the at least one second pin, respectively, and in doing so, mounting the apparatus to the at least one first pin and to the at least one second pin; and e) deforming control means of the apparatus to produce at least two conditions; i) in a first of the conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a first direction relative to the first bone unit for one of the distraction, the compression, the static position, and/or the control of range of rotary motion of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint, and ii) in a second of the conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a direction other than the first direction for the other one of the distraction, the compression, the static positioning, and/or the control of range or rotary motion of the at least one of the bones and/or the joint. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification