Fast adjust external fixation connection rod
First Claim
1. A method of maintaining the orientation of first and second rings for immobilizing bone segments, comprising:
- providing a connecting rod having a longitudinal axis and comprising;
a telescopic housing comprising an axial bore defined therethrough;
an adjustment sleeve slidably disposed within the axial bore, the adjustment sleeve and the telescopic housing being releasably coupled by a fastener; and
an elongated member coupled to the adjustment sleeve;
wherein a first joint is coupled to an end portion of the housing, and a first rotating member is received in the first joint, and further wherein the first rotating member comprises a first connection mechanism operable to releasably couple the first rotating member to the first ring and limit the rotational movement of the first rotating member; and
wherein a second joint is coupled to an end portion of the elongated member, and a second rotating member is received in the second joint, and further wherein the second rotating member comprises a second connection mechanism operable to releasably couple the second rotating member to the second ring and limit the rotational movement of the second rotating member;
adjusting the longitudinal position of the adjustment sleeve relative to the telescopic housing;
releasably coupling the adjustment sleeve to the telescopic housing using a sleeve fastener;
using the first connection mechanism to releasably couple the first rotating member to the first ring and limit the rotational movement of the first rotating member; and
using the second connection mechanism to releasably couple the second rotating member to the second ring and limit the rotational movement of the second rotating member;
wherein the first and second connection mechanisms are operable to releasably couple the respective rotating member to the respective fixator ring using a fastener, the fastener being disposed at least partially in the respective rotating member; and
wherein at least one of the first and second joints includes a channel defined in a wall of the joint, and the respective fastener includes a threaded end disposed through the channel thereby limiting the rotation of the respective rotating member in a first direction about the joint while allowing a greater range of motion in a second direction about the joint.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure provides various embodiments of an external fixation connection rod having articulatable joints that can be attached to external supports, such as rings. In some embodiments, the fixation connection rod includes a telescopic rod and connecting mechanisms for coupling the joints of the connection rod to the external supports. and the connecting mechanisms are operable to substantially lock the orientation of the joints. In some other embodiments, the connection rod includes a housing having parallel axial bores defined therethrough and sleeves slidably disposed in the axial bores. Also included in the present disclosure are methods of maintaining the orientation of first and second fixator rings for immobilizing bone segments.
79 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of maintaining the orientation of first and second rings for immobilizing bone segments, comprising:
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providing a connecting rod having a longitudinal axis and comprising; a telescopic housing comprising an axial bore defined therethrough; an adjustment sleeve slidably disposed within the axial bore, the adjustment sleeve and the telescopic housing being releasably coupled by a fastener; and an elongated member coupled to the adjustment sleeve; wherein a first joint is coupled to an end portion of the housing, and a first rotating member is received in the first joint, and further wherein the first rotating member comprises a first connection mechanism operable to releasably couple the first rotating member to the first ring and limit the rotational movement of the first rotating member; and wherein a second joint is coupled to an end portion of the elongated member, and a second rotating member is received in the second joint, and further wherein the second rotating member comprises a second connection mechanism operable to releasably couple the second rotating member to the second ring and limit the rotational movement of the second rotating member; adjusting the longitudinal position of the adjustment sleeve relative to the telescopic housing; releasably coupling the adjustment sleeve to the telescopic housing using a sleeve fastener; using the first connection mechanism to releasably couple the first rotating member to the first ring and limit the rotational movement of the first rotating member; and using the second connection mechanism to releasably couple the second rotating member to the second ring and limit the rotational movement of the second rotating member; wherein the first and second connection mechanisms are operable to releasably couple the respective rotating member to the respective fixator ring using a fastener, the fastener being disposed at least partially in the respective rotating member; and wherein at least one of the first and second joints includes a channel defined in a wall of the joint, and the respective fastener includes a threaded end disposed through the channel thereby limiting the rotation of the respective rotating member in a first direction about the joint while allowing a greater range of motion in a second direction about the joint. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification