Unilateral external fixation device
First Claim
1. An external fixation device for positioning and immobilizing the distal segment and proximal segment of a fractured bone to reduce the fracture, comprising:
- a distal frame having means for clamping half pins insertable within the distal segment of the fractured bone, said distal frame being formed with a distal hinge element having an arcuate surface;
a proximal frame having means for clamping half pins insertable within the proximal segment of the fractured bone, said proximal frame being formed with a proximal hinge element having an arcuate surface matable with said arcuate surface of said distal hinge element of said distal frame;
means for interconnecting said distal hinge element with said proximal hinge element so that said mating arcuate surfaces thereof are movable relative to one another along a partially spherical-shaped surface defined by a radius of fixed length having an origin at approximately the center of the fracture to permit pivotal movement of said distal frame relative to said proximal frame for aligning the distal segment with the proximal segment of the fractured bone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A unilateral external fixation device comprises a distal frame and a proximal frame interconnected by a hinge formed of mating, partially spherical-shaped surfaces which permits relative movement of the distal frame and proximal frame. Each of the frames includes one or more pin clamps which mount half pins inserted with the proximal or distal segments of a fractured bone to immobilize the bone segments and permit reduction of the fracture. The focal point of the partially spherical-shaped surfaces of the hinge is positioned in direct alignment with the fracture, preferably in a vertical plane passing through the fracture transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bone, so that manipulation of one or both of the distal and proximal frames permits a relatively slight and precise movement of the bone segments connected thereto by the half pins to ensure proper reduction of the fracture.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An external fixation device for positioning and immobilizing the distal segment and proximal segment of a fractured bone to reduce the fracture, comprising:
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a distal frame having means for clamping half pins insertable within the distal segment of the fractured bone, said distal frame being formed with a distal hinge element having an arcuate surface; a proximal frame having means for clamping half pins insertable within the proximal segment of the fractured bone, said proximal frame being formed with a proximal hinge element having an arcuate surface matable with said arcuate surface of said distal hinge element of said distal frame; means for interconnecting said distal hinge element with said proximal hinge element so that said mating arcuate surfaces thereof are movable relative to one another along a partially spherical-shaped surface defined by a radius of fixed length having an origin at approximately the center of the fracture to permit pivotal movement of said distal frame relative to said proximal frame for aligning the distal segment with the proximal segment of the fractured bone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An external fixation device for positioning and immobilizing the distal segment and proximal segment of a fractured bone to reduce the fracture, comprising:
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a distal frame having means for clamping half pins insertable within the distal segment of the fractured bone, said distal frame being formed with a distal hinge element having an arcuate surface; a proximal frame having means for clamping half pins insertable within the proximal segment of the fractured bone, said proximal frame being formed with a proximal hinge element having an arcuate surface matable with said arcuate surface of said distal hinge element of said distal frame portion; means for interconnecting said distal hinge element with said proximal hinge element so that said mating surfaces thereof are movable relative to one another along a partially spherical-shaped surface defined by a radius of fixed length having an origin at approximately the center of the fracture to permit pivotal movement of said distal frame relative to said proximal frame for aligning the distal segment with the proximal segment of the fractured bone; compression-distraction means engagable with said pin clamp means of at least one of said distal and proximal frames for axially moving said pin clamp means relative to the longitudinal axis of the fractured bone, said pin clamp means axially moving one of the distal and proximal bone segments of the fractured bone connected thereto by half pins relative to the other of the distal and proximal bone segments. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of positioning and immobilizing the distal segment and proximal segment of a fractured bone to reduce the fracture, comprising:
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clamping one end of a half pin inserted within the distal segment of the fractured bone to a pin clamp carried by a distal frame of an external fixation device, said distal frame being formed with a distal hinge element having an arcuate surface; clamping one end of a half pin inserted within the proximal segment of the fractured bone to a pin clamp carried by a proximal frame of said external fixation device, said proximal frame being formed with a proximal hinge element having an arcuated surface which mates with said arcuate surface of said distal hinge element for permitting pivotal movement therebetween; positioning said distal hinge element and said proximal hinge element relative to the fracture so that said arcuate surface of said distal hinge element and said mating arcuate surface of said proximal hinge element pivot with respect to one another about a partially spherical-shaped surface defined by a radius of fixed length having its origin at the approximate center of the fracture of the bone so as to permit precise adjustment of the position of the distal segment at the fracture for alignment with the proximal segment. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification