System and method for a cap used in the fixation of bone fractures
First Claim
1. A system for facilitating a change in distance between objects, said system including:
- a head component configured to attach to one of said objects;
a wire having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said wire is configured to mate with said head component;
a cap configured to mate with said second end of said wire, wherein said cap permits distal travel of said cap with respect to said wire, but resists proximal travel of said cap with respect to said wire, wherein said cap includes a tension spring which engages said wire, wherein said tension spring asserts friction against said wire in response to said cap being translated in one direction, but minimal friction against said wire in response to said cap being translated in an opposite direction;
wherein said tension spring includes a tab joining and extending from an outer ring and an inner ring, wherein said inner ring is spaced radially from said outer ring; and
a cover which encapsulates said tension spring within a head portion of said cap, wherein said cover contacts said tab causing said inner ring to at least one of flex, tilt or torque.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for facilitating the fixation of bone fractures is disclosed. The head component includes a tip, cutting threads and mating threads which are inserted into the far cortex of the bone. A wire extends from the head component and exits from the near cortex. A cap device includes a tension spring, wherein the tension spring is configured to assert friction against the wire when the cap is translated in one direction, but minimal friction against the wire when the cap is translated in the opposite direction. The cap is threaded over the wire such that the cap is restricted from backwards movement. Tension is then applied to the wire while the cap is tightened against or within the bone surface to apply an appropriate amount of pressure between the surfaces of the fracture. The excess wire beyond the cap can then be removed.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A system for facilitating a change in distance between objects, said system including:
-
a head component configured to attach to one of said objects; a wire having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said wire is configured to mate with said head component; a cap configured to mate with said second end of said wire, wherein said cap permits distal travel of said cap with respect to said wire, but resists proximal travel of said cap with respect to said wire, wherein said cap includes a tension spring which engages said wire, wherein said tension spring asserts friction against said wire in response to said cap being translated in one direction, but minimal friction against said wire in response to said cap being translated in an opposite direction;
wherein said tension spring includes a tab joining and extending from an outer ring and an inner ring, wherein said inner ring is spaced radially from said outer ring; anda cover which encapsulates said tension spring within a head portion of said cap, wherein said cover contacts said tab causing said inner ring to at least one of flex, tilt or torque. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A cap device configured to mate with a first end of a wire, wherein said cap device includes:
-
a head portion; a tension spring including an inner ring and an outer ring which are non-continuous over a substantial portion of an outer circumference of said inner ring and an inner circumference of said outer ring, wherein said tension spring is removably assembled within said head portion, wherein said tension spring asserts friction directly against said wire in response to said cap being translated in one direction, but minimal friction against said wire in response to said cap being translated in the opposite direction, wherein said tension spring includes a tab, wherein said tab is configured to force said tension spring to assert friction against said wire;
wherein said tension spring includes said tab joining and extending from said outer ring and said inner ring, wherein said inner ring is spaced radially from said outer ring; anda cover which encapsulates said tension spring within said head portion, wherein said cover contacts said tab causing said inner ring to at least one of flex, tilt or torque. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification