US 10,368,913 B2Granted

Adjustment instrument with tactile feedback

AssigneeStryker European Holdings I, LLC

InventorsSubash K. Mannanal, Daniel Greenberg

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Abstract

An external fixation frame system may include a first ring, a second ring, and at least three struts configured to couple the first ring to the second ring, each strut having a rotatable head portion and a counter torque portion. The system may also include an adjustment tool that includes a driver portion having an inner engagement portion for engaging the head portion of the strut, an outer engagement portion for engaging the counter torque portion of the strut, and a feedback mechanism rotatably coupled to the inner and outer engagement portions. The tool may further include a plunger having an inner portion positioned at least partially within the inner engagement portion, and an outer portion positioned at least partially between the inner engagement portion and the outer engagement portions, the plunger being axially translatable with respect to the inner and outer engagement portions.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A tool for actuating one or more of a plurality of struts of an external fixation frame comprising:

a handle portion;
and
a driving portion coupled to the handle portion, the driving portion having an inner engagement portion configured to directly couple to a movable portion of each of the struts, an outer engagement portion configured to directly couple to a non-movable portion of each of the struts, and a feedback mechanism coupled to the inner and outer engagement portions;
wherein in a first partially engaged condition of the tool, rotation of the inner engagement portion with respect to the outer engagement portion does not cause the feedback mechanism to rotate with respect to the outer engagement portion;
and
wherein in a second fully engaged condition of the tool, rotation of the inner engagement portion with respect to the outer engagement portion does cause the feedback mechanism to rotate with respect to the outer engagement portion so that the feedback mechanism provides audible or tactile feedback regarding an amount of rotation of the inner engagement portion with respect to the outer engagement portion,
wherein the inner engagement portion is at least partially received within the outer engagement portion.

4 more elements

An external fixation frame system comprising:

a first ring;
a second ring;
at least three struts configured to couple the first ring to the second ring, each strut having a rotatable head portion and a counter torque portion;
and
an adjustment tool including a handle portion, a driver portion having an inner engagement portion for directly engaging the head portion of the strut, an outer engagement portion for directly engaging the counter torque portion of the strut, and a feedback mechanism rotatably coupled to the inner and outer engagement portions,
wherein in a first partially engaged condition of the tool, rotation of the inner engagement portion with respect to the outer engagement portion does not cause the feedback mechanism to rotate with respect to the outer engagement portion;
and
wherein in a second fully engaged condition of the tool, rotation of the inner engagement portion with respect to the outer engagement portion does cause the feedback mechanism to rotate with respect to the outer engagement portion so that the feedback mechanism provides audible or tactile feedback regarding an amount of rotation of the inner engagement portion with respect to the outer engagement portion,
wherein the inner engagement portion is at least partially received within the outer engagement portion.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/180,530Filed 13 Jun 2016 · us provisional application
Priority: 10 Aug 2015
Published: US 2017/0042580 A116 Feb 2017
Granted: 6 Aug 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A61B 17/66
For external osteosynthesis, e.g. distractors, contractors: alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms
A61B 17/62
For external osteosynthesis, e.g. distractors, contractors: ring frames, i.e. devices extending around the bones to be positioned
A61B 17/645
Devices extending alongside the bones to be positioned: comprising a framework
A61B 17/8894
Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches: holding the implant into or through which the screw is to be inserted

Family

Application62/203,176Us provisional application · filed 10 Aug 2015
US 2017/0042580 A1Pre-grant publication · published 16 Feb 2017
US 10,368,913 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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