# US 10,945,763 B2 · Orthopedic spring hinge system and methods thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,945,763 B2 - Document ID: US10945763B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/994,829 - Filed: 2018-05-31 - Published: 2019-12-05 - Granted: 2021-03-16 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-31 - Assignees: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children - Applicants: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children - Inventors: Mikhail L. Samchukov; John D. Ross; Alexander M. Cherkashin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945763B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/60: for external osteosynthesis, e.g. distractors, contractors - A61B 17/62: Ring frames, i.e. devices extending around the bones to be positioned ({A61B17/6433} , A61B17/66 take precedence) - A61B 17/6416: {with non-continuous, e.g. hinged, pin-clamp connecting element (A61B17/6425, A61B17/6441 take precedence)} - A61B 17/6425: {specially adapted to be fitted across a bone joint} - F16F 1/13: comprising inserts and spacers between the windings for changing the mechanical or physical characteristics of the spring {(F16F1/122 takes precedence)} - F16F 1/42: characterised by the mode of stressing - F16F 3/04: composed only of wound springs - A61B 2017/606: {with resilient spring element} - F16F 2236/103: linear - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract A device, kit, and method for the treatment of anatomical joint dysfunctions, and more particularly, to a spring hinge comprising: a primary coil spring having a helical structure with a central cavity, wherein the primary coil spring forms a plurality of spirals layered against one another when the primary coil spring is in an unexpanded state; wherein the primary coil spring comprises surfaces that are configured to nest against each other to resist translational or shearing movement between adjoining spiral layers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spring hinge comprising: a primary coil spring having a helical structure with a central cavity, wherein the primary coil spring forms a plurality of spirals layered against one another when the primary coil spring is in an unstressed state; wherein the primary coil spring comprises a first surface having a convex profile and an opposing second surface having a concave profile; wherein a portion of the first surface with the convex profile is configured to nest against an adjacent portion of the second surface with the concave profile when the primary coil spring is in the unstressed state; and wherein the nested convex and concave profiles resist a shearing movement between the first surface and the second surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A spring hinge according to claim 1, wherein the primary coil spring has a spring constant of about 10-20 lb/in. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A spring hinge according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the primary coil spring along a transverse plane comprises a geometry selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, pentagon, and hexagon. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A spring hinge according to claim 1, wherein a cross section along a transverse plane of the primary coil spring comprises a square geometry. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A spring hinge according to claim 1, wherein the primary coil spring has a width of about 5 to 25 mm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A spring hinge according to claim 1, wherein the primary coil spring has a length of about 15 to 50 mm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A spring hinge according to claim 1, wherein the spring hinge further comprises an end cap at each of the primary coil spring, wherein the end caps are configured to be secured to a ring fixator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A spring hinge according to claim 1, wherein the spring hinge is secured to a ring fixator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A spring hinge according to claim 1, wherein the primary coil spring is positioned to bend along an anatomical axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A spring hinge according to claim 1, wherein the primary coil spring is constructed from materials selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, plated spring-tempered steel, and coated spring-tempered steel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A spring hinge according to claim 1, wherein the spring hinge further comprises a secondary coil spring disposed within the central cavity of the primary coil spring. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A spring hinge according to claim 11, wherein the secondary coil spring deters shearing between the first surface with the convex profile and the second surface with the concave profile, and wherein the secondary coil spring stabilizes movement of the primary coil spring when moving from the unstressed state to an expanded state. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A spring hinge according to claim 11, wherein the secondary coil spring has a spring constant of about 10-20 lb/in. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A spring hinge according to claim 11, wherein a cross section along a transverse plane of the secondary coil spring comprises a circular geometry, and wherein the circular geometry comprises a diameter of about 5 to 25 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A spring hinge according to claim 11, wherein the secondary coil spring has a length substantially similar to a length of the primary coil spring. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) A spring hinge according to claim 11, wherein the secondary coil spring is constructed from materials selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, plated spring-tempered steel, and coated spring-tempered steel. ### Claim 17 A spring hinge comprising: a primary coil spring having a helical structure with a central cavity, wherein the primary coil spring forms a plurality of spirals layered against one another when the primary coil spring is in an unstressed state; and a secondary coil spring disposed within the central cavity of the primary coil spring; wherein the primary coil spring resists shearing movement of the spirals of the primary coil spring. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The spring hinge according to claim 17, wherein the primary coil spring comprises a first surface having a convex profile and a second surface having a concave profile; wherein a portion of the first surface is configured to nest against an adjacent portion of the second surface when the primary coil spring is in the unstressed state; and wherein the convex profiles and convex profiles resist shearing movement between the first surface and the second surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The spring hinge according to claim 17, wherein the primary coil spring comprises a first planar surface having a slanted profile facing a first direction and a second planar surface having a slanted profile facing a second direction; wherein a portion of the first planar surface is configured to abut a portion of the second planar surface of an adjacent spiral when the primary coil is in an unexpanded state; wherein the slanted profiles of the first planar surface and the second planar surface resist shearing movement between the first planar surface and the second planar surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The spring hinge according to claim 17, wherein the primary coil spring has a spring constant of about 0.5-5.0 lb/in, and wherein the secondary coil spring has a spring constant of about 10-20 lb/in. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The spring hinge according to claim 17, wherein a cross section along a transverse plane of the primary coil spring comprises a geometry selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, pentagon, and hexagon. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) A spring hinge according to claim 17, wherein the primary coil spring and the second coil spring each have a length of about 15 to 50 mm. ### Claim 23 A spring hinge comprising: a primary coil spring having a helical structure with a central cavity, wherein the primary coil spring forms a plurality of spirals layered against one another when the primary coil spring is in an unstressed state; and a secondary coil spring disposed within the central cavity of the primary coil spring; wherein the primary coil spring resists shearing movement of the spirals of the primary coil spring, wherein the spring hinge further comprises an end cap at each of the primary coil spring, wherein the end caps are configured to be secured to a ring fixator. ### Claim 24 A spring hinge comprising: a primary coil spring having a helical structure with a central cavity, wherein the primary coil spring forms a plurality of spirals layered against one another when the primary coil spring is in an unstressed state; and a secondary coil spring disposed within the central cavity of the primary coil spring; wherein the primary coil spring resists shearing movement of the spirals of the primary coil spring, wherein the spring hinge is secured to a ring fixator. ### Claim 25 A method for treating an anatomical joint dysfunction comprising: fixing a first and a second portion of a limb on opposite sides of an anatomical joint with a first and a second external fixator, such that the first and second external fixators are positioned on either side of the anatomical joint; connecting the first and second external fixators with an orthopedic spring hinge, wherein the orthopedic spring hinge comprises: a primary coil spring having a helical structure with a central cavity, wherein the primary coil spring forms a plurality of spirals layered against one another when the primary coil spring is in an unstressed state; wherein the primary coil spring comprises a first surface having a convex profile and a second surface having a concave profile; wherein a portion of the first surface with the convex profile is configured to nest against an adjacent portion of the second surface with the concave profile when the primary coil spring is in the unstressed state; and wherein the nested convex and concave profiles resist shearing movement between the first surface and the second surface; and wherein the orthopedic spring hinge provides for a pivotal movement about the anatomical joint while substantially or completely preventing unwanted translational or shearing movement, or sheering, about said anatomical joint. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method according to claim 25, wherein the spring hinge further comprises a secondary coil spring disposed within the central cavity of the primary coil spring. ### Claim 27 A kit comprising: one or more spring hinges, each spring hinge comprising a primary coil spring having a helical structure with a central cavity, wherein the primary coil spring forms a plurality of spirals layered against one another when the primary coil spring is in an unstressed state; wherein the primary coil spring comprises a first surface having a convex profile and a second surface having a concave profile; wherein a portion of the first surface with the convex profile is configured to nest against an adjacent portion of the second surface with the concave profile when the primary coil spring is in the unstressed state; and wherein the nested convex and concave profiles resist a shearing movement between the first surface and the second surface; and one or more optional external fixators, screws, bolts, or end caps.