# US 10,499,951 B2 · External fixator assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,499,951 B2 - Document ID: US10499951B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/918,535 - Filed: 2018-03-12 - Published: 2018-07-19 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-03 - Assignees: Globus Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Globus Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Sergio Muniz; David R. Jansen; Barclay Davis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10499951B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/6466: {with pin-clamps movable along a solid connecting rod} - A61B 17/6425: {specially adapted to be fitted across a bone joint} - A61B 17/848: {Kirschner wires, i.e. thin, long nails} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract External fixator assemblies, systems, and methods thereof. An external fixator system may include a plurality of fixator assemblies configured to connect a plurality of pins, for example, positioned on opposite sides of a fractured bone, with one more rods. The fixator assemblies may include a plurality of clamp assemblies which are configured to rotate relative to one another when the fixator assembly is in an unlocked position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An external fixator assembly comprising: a first clamp assembly and a second clamp assembly; a shaft extending through the first clamp assembly and the second clamp assembly; a ratchet assembly operably attached to the shaft, the ratchet assembly including a buttress member and a housing member, wherein the buttress member includes a tang extending from the buttress member and into a corresponding slot formed in the housing member to prevent relative rotation of the housing member with respect to the buttress member; and a plurality of pins retained by the first clamp assembly or the second clamp assembly or a plurality of rods retained by the first clamp assembly or the second clamp assembly, wherein the first and second clamp assemblies are configured to rotate relative to one another when the external fixator assembly is in an unlocked position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The external fixator assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spring extending around the shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The external fixator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first clamp assembly includes a first slot for receiving one of the plurality of pins or rods and a second slot for receiving one of the plurality of pins or rods, wherein the first slot is different from the second slot. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The external fixator assembly of claim 1, wherein when moved to a locked position, the first and second clamp assemblies are fixed in position and are no longer able to rotate relative to one another. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The external fixator assembly of claim 4, wherein the first clamp assembly includes an upwardly extending toothed locking half and the second clamp assembly includes a downwardly extending toothed locking half. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The external fixator assembly of claim 5, wherein the upwardly extending toothed locking half comprises a first star grind and the downwardly extending toothed locking half comprises a second star grind. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The external fixator assembly of claim 6, wherein the first star grind and the second star grind are engaged with one another. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The external fixator assembly of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first star grind and the second star grind are beveled. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The external fixator assembly of claim 8, wherein when the beveled star grinds engage one another, relative rotation between the first clamp assembly and the second clamp assembly is prevented. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The external fixator assembly of claim 1, wherein first or second clamp assembly includes a pin or rod free zone such that a pin or rod would not be retained therein. ### Claim 11 An external fixator assembly comprising: a first clamp assembly and a second clamp assembly; a shaft extending through the first clamp assembly and the second clamp assembly; a ratchet assembly operably attached to the shaft, the ratchet assembly including a buttress member and a housing member, wherein the buttress member includes a tang extending from the buttress member and into a corresponding slot formed in the housing member to prevent relative rotation of the housing member with respect to the buttress member; at least one pin retained by the first clamp assembly or the second clamp assembly; and at least one rod retained by the first clamp assembly or the second clamp assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The external fixator assembly of claim 11, further comprising a spring extending around the shaft. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The external fixator assembly of claim 11, wherein the first clamp assembly includes a first slot for receiving one of the plurality of pins or rods and a second slot for receiving one of the plurality of pins or rods, wherein the first slot is different from the second slot. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The external fixator assembly of claim 11, wherein when moved to a locked position, the first and second clamp assemblies are fixed in position and are no longer able to rotate relative to one another. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The external fixator assembly of claim 14, wherein the first clamp assembly includes an upwardly extending toothed locking half and the second clamp assembly includes a downwardly extending toothed locking half. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The external fixator assembly of claim 15, wherein the upwardly extending toothed locking half comprises a first star grind and the downwardly extending toothed locking half comprises a second star grind. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The external fixator assembly of claim 16, wherein the first star grind and the second star grind are engaged with one another. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The external fixator assembly of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first star grind and the second star grind are beveled. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The external fixator assembly of claim 18, wherein when the beveled star grinds engage one another, relative rotation between the first clamp assembly and the second clamp assembly is prevented. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The external fixator assembly of claim 11, wherein first or second clamp assembly includes a pin or rod free zone such that a pin or rod would not be retained therein.