External fixation connection rod for rapid and gradual adjustment
First Claim
1. A connecting rod for an external fixation device, the connecting rod defining a longitudinal axis and comprising:
- a telescopic housing comprising a housing body having an axial bore defined therethrough;
an inner sleeve slidably disposed within the axial bore of the telescopic housing, the inner sleeve and the telescopic housing being releasably coupled by a fastener, wherein a surface of the inner sleeve further comprises a series of indicators operable to indicate a relative value associated with a state of the connecting rod during rapid and gradual adjustment;
an adjustment mechanism rotatably coupled with the inner sleeve;
wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable to be placed in one or more locked positions at fixed intervals or an unlocked position;
wherein the adjustment mechanism has a threaded bore defined therethrough; and
wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable to be rotated about the inner sleeve by the fixed intervals between the locked positions; and
an externally threaded elongated member threadably coupled with the adjustment mechanism; and
wherein when the adjustment mechanism is rotated about the inner sleeve during gradual adjustment, the elongated member is translated relative to the adjustment mechanism along the longitudinal axis, thereby lengthening or shortening an overall length of the connecting rod;
wherein when the fastener is loosened, the inner sleeve can slidably translate within the axial bore of the telescopic housing during rapid adjustment, thereby lengthening or shortening the overall length of the connecting rod.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An external fixation connection rod that allows for rapid and gradual length adjustment. In some embodiments, the fixation connection rod includes an inner sleeve received within a telescopic rod to allow for rapid adjustment of an overall length of the fixation connection rod. In some embodiments, the fixation connection rod includes an adjustment mechanism to allow for gradual adjustment of the overall length of the fixation connection rod by lengthening or shortening a threaded elongated member within the inner sleeve, and the adjustment mechanism includes a first rotation member, a second rotation member, and a spring. Distal translation of the first rotation member relative to the second rotation member allows the adjustment mechanism to move from a first, locked position to a second, unlocked position, allowing the first rotation member and the second rotation member to rotate about the inner sleeve and the threaded elongated member during gradual adjustment.
75 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A connecting rod for an external fixation device, the connecting rod defining a longitudinal axis and comprising:
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a telescopic housing comprising a housing body having an axial bore defined therethrough; an inner sleeve slidably disposed within the axial bore of the telescopic housing, the inner sleeve and the telescopic housing being releasably coupled by a fastener, wherein a surface of the inner sleeve further comprises a series of indicators operable to indicate a relative value associated with a state of the connecting rod during rapid and gradual adjustment; an adjustment mechanism rotatably coupled with the inner sleeve; wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable to be placed in one or more locked positions at fixed intervals or an unlocked position; wherein the adjustment mechanism has a threaded bore defined therethrough; and wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable to be rotated about the inner sleeve by the fixed intervals between the locked positions; and an externally threaded elongated member threadably coupled with the adjustment mechanism; and wherein when the adjustment mechanism is rotated about the inner sleeve during gradual adjustment, the elongated member is translated relative to the adjustment mechanism along the longitudinal axis, thereby lengthening or shortening an overall length of the connecting rod; wherein when the fastener is loosened, the inner sleeve can slidably translate within the axial bore of the telescopic housing during rapid adjustment, thereby lengthening or shortening the overall length of the connecting rod. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of adjusting a relative position of first and second external fixation devices, comprising:
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providing a connecting rod having a longitudinal axis and comprising; a telescopic housing comprising a housing body having an axial bore defined therethrough; an inner sleeve slidably disposed within the axial bore of the telescopic housing, the inner sleeve and the telescopic housing being releasably coupled by a fastener, wherein a surface of the inner sleeve further comprises a series of indicators operable to indicate a relative value associated with a state of the connecting rod during rapid and gradual adjustment; an adjustment mechanism rotatably coupled with the inner sleeve; wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable to be placed in one or more locked positions at fixed intervals or an unlocked position; and wherein the adjustment mechanism has a threaded bore defined therethrough; and an externally threaded elongated member threadably coupled with the adjustment mechanism; and loosening the fastener and rotating the adjustment mechanism about the inner sleeve by the fixed intervals between the locked positions, thereby translating the elongated member relative to the adjustment mechanism along the longitudinal axis, thereby lengthening or shortening an overall length of the connecting rod. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification