External fixation assembly and method of use

• US 9,050,136 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2013
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
• Original Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
• Inventors: Argenta, Louis C, Morykwas, Michael J, Webb, Lawrence X
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Pedro
• Assistant Examiner(s): SUMMITT, LYNNSY M
• Application Number:
  US13/896,750
• Publication Number:
  US 20130267952A1
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 606/53, 606/60, 606246-249, 606254-274, 606/277, 606/278, 606/310, 606/319, 606/74, 606/75, 606/322, 606/324, 606/328, 606/329
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/60 for external osteosynthesis, e.g. distractors, contractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/66 Alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/864 hollow, e.g. with socket or cannulated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/866 Material or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8685 comprising multiple separate parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00544 pneumatically

Abstract

An external fixation assembly includes a plurality of hollow pins that are inserted into a patient'"'"'s bone. Each pin has an interior bore and a plurality of apertures extending through the pin wall from the bore. The pin may be coupled to a source of vacuum pressure operable to create reduced pressure in the tissue surrounding the pin. A cover is placed around the pin and sealed to provide a fluid-tight enclosure that maintains reduced pressure around the pin. A method for applying external fixation using the fixator pins described above includes the steps of inserting each pin through a skin opening, positioning the pin apertures near selected tissue, covering the skin opening with a sealed enclosure, connecting the pins to a source of vacuum pressure, and activating the source of vacuum pressure to create reduced pressure in the patient'"'"'s tissue at or near the bone.

Claims

1. An external fixation assembly for applying a compression and/or distraction force to a bone to be treated, comprising:

a plurality of fixator pins each having first and second opposing ends and having a portion configured to secure the pin within the bone, at least one of the pins including;

i) a hollow passageway extending along a longitudinal axis of the pin;

ii) at least one vent aperture disposed in gaseous communication between the hollow passageway and a region external to the pin; and

iii) a vacuum port disposed in gaseous communication with the hollow passageway;

at least one bar connected between a respective pair of the plurality of pins proximate the second ends of the pins to provide a compression and/or distraction force therebetween; and

a vacuum source operably connected to the vacuum port.

2. The external fixation according to claim 1, wherein the portion configured to secure the pin within the bone is located at the first end of the pin.

3. The external fixation according to claim 2, wherein the portion configured to secure the pin comprises threads.

4. The external fixation according to claim 1, wherein the portion configured to secure the pin is located intermediate the first and second ends of the pin.

5. The external fixation according to claim 4, wherein the portion configured to secure the pin comprises threads.

6. The external fixation according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality fixator pins comprises a transfixing pin.

7. The external fixation according to claim 1, wherein the at least one vent aperture is disposed at the portion configured to secure the pin.

8. The external fixation according to claim 1, wherein the at least one vent aperture is disposed away from the portion configured to secure the pin.

9. The external fixation assembly of claim 1, wherein the vacuum port extends through the second end of the pin.

10. The external fixation assembly of claim 1, wherein the vacuum port is formed through a sidewall of the pin.

11. The external fixation assembly of claim 10, wherein the vacuum port comprises a cylindrical hub that extends outwardly from the pin.

12. The external fixation assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the pins comprises a detachable shaft section to provide an implant that may be left in the bone.

13. The external fixation assembly of claim 12, wherein the detachable shaft section comprises a bone substitute material.

14. The external fixation assembly of claim 13, wherein the detachable shaft section comprises an osteoconductive material, an osteoinductive material, or combinations thereof.

15. The external fixation assembly of claim 13, wherein the detachable shaft section comprises a bioglass, a ceramic material, calcium sulphate, calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, fluoroapatite, tri-calcium phosphate, bioglass ceramics, or combinations thereof.

16. The external fixation assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the pins comprises a bone substitute material.

17. The external fixation assembly of claim 16, wherein the at least one of the pins comprises an osteoconductive material, an osteoinductive material, or combinations thereof.

18. The external fixation assembly of claim 16, wherein the at least one of the pins comprises a bioglass, a ceramic material, calcium sulfate, calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, fluoroapatite, tri-calcium phosphate, bioglass ceramics, or combinations thereof.

19. The external fixation assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one vent aperture comprises a plurality of apertures.