Method and clasp for internal osseous fixation
First Claim
1. A clasp for osseous fixation formed of a unitary piece of resilient wire and having a horizontal portion formed of first, second and third stretches, a first 180°
- bend interconnecting a first end of said first stretch with a first end of said second stretch, a second 180°
bend interconnecting a second end of said second stretch with a first end of said third stretch, said first, second and third stretches in the unstressed condition of said clasp being substantially parallel to each other and being of substantially identical lengths, a first leg depending from a second end of said first stretch, a second leg depending from a second end of said third stretch, said legs being located on diagonal corners of said clasp, said legs converge and each said leg is disposed at an acute angle relative to said horizontal portion said horizontal portion being stressed when said legs are pulled away from each other by increasing the arcuate extents of said bends, said legs being remote from each other so that said legs may be inserted in holes drilled in bone segment on opposite sides of an osteotomy or fracture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A clasp formed of spring material is Z-shaped in top plan and in side elevation shows two legs which converge downwardly at about a 15° angle, one leg depending from each end of the Z. In end elevation the legs are perpendicular to the horizontal portion of the clasp. To install the clasp, bone segments are manually or mechanically manipulated to desired position. A hole is drilled on each side of the osteotomy equidistant therefrom at an angle of about 15° from the perpendicular, and converging toward the osteotomy preferably using a template which determines hole locations, dependent on the size of clasp selected. One leg of the clasp is inserted in one hole. The other leg is pulled toward the other hole, preferably using an instrument with a hook-like extremity. As the second leg is pulled into position the clasp is stressed, the Z shape spreading apart; and after the clasp is fully installed, the resiliency of the clasp applies a continuous force compressing the bone segments with a constant force and immobilizing same.
119 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A clasp for osseous fixation formed of a unitary piece of resilient wire and having a horizontal portion formed of first, second and third stretches, a first 180°
- bend interconnecting a first end of said first stretch with a first end of said second stretch, a second 180°
bend interconnecting a second end of said second stretch with a first end of said third stretch, said first, second and third stretches in the unstressed condition of said clasp being substantially parallel to each other and being of substantially identical lengths, a first leg depending from a second end of said first stretch, a second leg depending from a second end of said third stretch, said legs being located on diagonal corners of said clasp, said legs converge and each said leg is disposed at an acute angle relative to said horizontal portion said horizontal portion being stressed when said legs are pulled away from each other by increasing the arcuate extents of said bends, said legs being remote from each other so that said legs may be inserted in holes drilled in bone segment on opposite sides of an osteotomy or fracture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- bend interconnecting a first end of said first stretch with a first end of said second stretch, a second 180°
Specification