External fixation devices and methods of use
AssigneeHospital for Special Surgery
InventorsRobert N. Hotchkiss, Joseph Lipman, Darrick Lo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
External fixation devices and methods of use are provided. A device for external fixation of a joint includes a first pin block for connection to a first skeletal element and a second pin block for connection to a second skeletal element. The device includes a connection assembly that is releasably attached to at least one of the pin blocks. The device is locked in an original position when the connection assembly is attached to both of the pin blocks, and is unlocked when the connection assembly is detached from at least one of the pin blocks.
Claims22
A device for external fixation of a joint, the joint having an anatomic pivot axis about which first and second skeletal elements are disposed, the device comprising:
- a first pin block for connection to the first skeletal element;
- a second pin block for connection to the second skeletal element;
- and
- a connection assembly for connection to the first and second pin blocks,
- wherein the connection assembly is releasably attached to at least one of the first and second pin blocks to allow the device to be locked in an original position when the connection assembly is attached to the first and second pin blocks, and to allow the device to be unlocked when the connection assembly is detached from at least one of the first and second pin blocks.
A device for external fixation of a joint, the joint having an anatomic pivot axis about which first and second skeletal elements are disposed, the device comprising:
- a first pin block for connection to the first skeletal element;
- a second pin block for connection to the second skeletal element;
- and
- a connection assembly for connection to the first and second pin blocks, the connection assembly comprising:
- first and second end portions coupled to the first and second pin blocks;
- and
- a linking member extending between and connected to the first and second end portions, the connections between the linking member and the first and second end portions each comprising a fastener to maintain the linking member in a fixed position with respect to the first and second pin blocks,
- wherein the linking member is releasably attached to one of the first and second end portions to allow the device to be locked in an original position when the linking member is attached to the first and second pin blocks, and to allow the device to be unlocked when the linking member is detached from one of the first and second pin blocks,
- wherein the joint is rigidly constrained when the device is locked, and the joint is constrained to translate on a plane defined by the surface of the linking member and rotate about an axis perpendicular to the plane when the device is unlocked, and
- wherein the linking member is configured to reattach to one of the first and second pin blocks to lock the device in the original position.
A device for external fixation of a joint, the joint having an anatomic pivot axis about which first and second skeletal elements are disposed, the device comprising:
- a first pin block for connection to the first skeletal element;
- a second pin block for connection to the second skeletal element;
- and
- a connection assembly for connection to the first and second pin blocks, the connection assembly comprising:
- first and second end portions each releasably attached to the first and second pin blocks, respectively, by a locking mechanism to allow the connection assembly to be released from the first and second pin blocks;
- and
- a linking member extending between and rotatably connected to the first and second end portions, the rotatable connections between the linking member and the first and second end portions each configured to maintain the linking member in a fixed position with respect to the first and second pin blocks,
- wherein the connection assembly is releasably attached to the first and second pin blocks to allow the device to be locked in an original position when the connection assembly is attached to the first and second pin blocks, and to allow the device to be unlocked when the connection assembly is detached from the first and second pin blocks,
- wherein the joint is rigidly constrained when the device is locked, and the joint is unconstrained when the device is unlocked, and
- wherein the connection assembly is configured to reattach to the first and second pin blocks to lock the device in the original position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.