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Automatic compression-distraction-torsion method and apparatus

  • US 4,973,331 A
  • Filed: 03/08/1989
  • Issued: 11/27/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An orthopaedic apparatus, comprising:

  • a plurality of support members;

    a plurality of adjustable length rods interconnecting said support members, each of said rods having an associated adjustment means for enabling the rod length to be adjusted;

    a plurality of pins attached to said support members, said pins being adapted to pass through bone of a patient; and

    an automatic drive means for controlling each of said adjustment means to adjust the lengths of said rods and in turn the relative positions of said support members, said drive means comprising;

    a plurality of motors corresponding to said plurality of rods for incrementally adjusting respective adjustment means to stepwise adjust said rod length; and

    a controller means for providing pulses to said motors to control the amount of incremental adjustments of said rods and for storing information regarding (i) the stepwise adjustments of said rod length to be performed by said motors, and (ii) the instantaneous number of stepwise adjustments performed by said motors during an overall treatment procedure.

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