# US 2014/0276816 A1 · Polyaxial pivot housing for external fixation system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0276816 A1 - Document ID: US20140276816A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/212,596 - Filed: 2014-03-14 - Published: 2014-09-18 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15 - Assignees: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC - Applicants: Biomet C.V. - Inventors: Jeffery T. Cresina; Paul Slagle - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140276816A1 ## CPC - 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 17/6441: {Bilateral fixators, i.e. with both ends of pins or wires clamped} - A61B 17/645: {comprising a framework (A61B17/6425, A61B17/6441 take precedence)} - A61B 17/6458: {with pin-clamps fixed at ends of connecting element} - A61B 17/66: {Alignment}, compression or distraction mechanisms - A61B 2017/0042: {with special provisions for gripping} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A polyaxial pivot housing for an external fixation system, comprising a first plate; a second plate substantially parallel to the first plate; a spherical member positioned between the first and second plates, the spherical member having a threaded post that is configured to attach to a support member of an external fixation frame; and a pivotably rotatable locking arm, the locking arm being configured to orientationally lock the threaded post with respect to the external fixation frame by compressing the first and second plates against the spherical member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A polyaxial pivot housing for an external fixation system, comprising: a first plate; a second plate substantially parallel to the first plate; a spherical member positioned between the first and second plates, the spherical member having a threaded post that is configured to attach to a support member of an external fixation frame; and a pivotably rotatable locking arm, the locking arm being configured to orientationally lock the threaded post with respect to the external fixation frame by compressing the first and second plates against the spherical member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 1, wherein the first plate includes a threaded bore hole configured to attach to an external fixation clamping assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 1, wherein the first and second plates are connected by a locking bolt. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 1, further including a locking pin that is configured to prevent movement of the locking arm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 1, wherein the first plate includes a first substantially circular recessed cavity that is dimensioned to receive a top portion of the spherical member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 5, wherein the second plate includes a second substantially circular recessed cavity that is dimensioned to accept a bottom portion of the spherical member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a provisional locking feature that allows the alignment of bone fragments held by the external fixation frame to be slightly adjusted by overcoming a friction fit that is caused by compressive forces and soft tissue tension, the provisional locking feature being actuatable without the use of a tool. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a definitive locking feature that allows bone fragments held by the external fixation frame to be secured in a defined alignment orientation, the definitive locking feature being manually actuatable without the use of a tool. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 8, wherein the definitive locking feature is actuated by moving the pivotably rotatable locking arm towards the spherical member about a longitudinal axis, the movement causing the second plate to compress the spherical member against the first plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 9, further comprising a set screw associated with the pivotably rotatable locking arm, the set screw being configured to prevent a locking bolt that passes through the first and second plates from moving independently of the pivotably rotatable locking am as the locking arm is moved about the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 11 A polyaxial pivot housing for an external fixation system, comprising: a first plate; a second plate substantially parallel to the first plate; a locking screw connecting the first and second plates; a spherical member positioned between the first and second plates, the spherical member having a threaded post that is configured to attach to a support member of an external fixation frame; and a pivotably rotatable locking arm, the locking arm being configured to orientationally lock the threaded post with respect to the external fixation frame by compressing the first and second plates against the spherical member; wherein the polyaxial pivot housing has a provisional locking feature and a definitive locking feature, each locking feature being manually actuatable without the use of a tool. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 11, wherein the first plate includes a threaded bore hole configured to attach to an external fixation clamping assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 11, further including a locking pin that is configured to prevent movement of the locking arm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 11, wherein the first plate includes a first substantially circular recessed cavity that is dimensioned to receive a top portion of the spherical member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 14, wherein the second plate includes a second substantially circular recessed cavity that is dimensioned to accept a bottom portion of the spherical member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 11, wherein the provisional locking feature is configured to allow the alignment of bone fragments held by the external fixation frame to be slightly adjusted by overcoming a friction fit that is caused by compressive forces and soft tissue tension. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 11, wherein the definitive locking feature is configured to allow bone fragments held by the external fixation frame to be secured in a defined alignment orientation. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 17, wherein the definitive locking feature is actuated by moving the pivotably rotatable locking arm towards the spherical member about a longitudinal axis, the movement causing the second plate to compress the spherical member against the first plate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The polyaxial pivot housing of claim 18, further comprising a set screw associated with the pivotably rotatable locking arm, the set screw being configured to prevent a locking bolt that passes through the first and second plates from moving independently of the pivotably rotatable locking am as the locking arm is moved about the longitudinal axis.