Sadat fixation device and method

An external bone fixator apparatus for use in orthopedic surgery and treatments, said apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of arch-shaped support members, each said arch-shaped support member including
• a first arm having a first distal end thereof,
• a first wire retainer joined with said first distal end, said first wire-retainer configured to firmly retain a first set of bone-fixation wires usable to position a bone part,
• a second arm pivotally joined to the first arm, said second arm having a second distal end thereof,
• a second wire retainer joined with said second distal end, said second wire-retainer configured to firmly retain a second set of bone-fixation wires, said second wire-retainer structured and arranged to enable bone-fixation wires of the second set to include at least one bone-fixation wire of the first set, and
• a distance-of-separation adjuster configured to enable user-selected adjustments to a separation distance between said first wire retainer and said second wire retainer of a respective said arch-shaped support member;
• and
• a plurality of strut-rod assemblies configured to rigidly connect adjacent said arch-shaped support members together to define a fixator frame, each said strut-rod assembly including
• axially-extending rod members configured to extend between said arch-shaped support members, and
• a positional adjuster configured to adjust relative geometrical positions of such adjacent said arch-shaped support members;
• wherein the first wire retainer and second wire retainer are configured to receive and retain Kirschner-type wires;
• and
• the first wire retainer and second wire retainer each comprise a clamp to releasably clamp the Kirschner-type wires therein;
• wherein said distance-of-separation adjuster comprises a pivot joint configured to pivotally join said first arm and said second arm;
• and
• threaded adjustment rod connecting said first arm and said second arm;
• wherein said first arm and said second arm each include a rod-receiving block designed to receive the threaded rod;
• wherein rotation of said threaded adjustment rod produces pivotal adjustment of said first arm and said second arm about said pivot joint;
• wherein such pivotal adjustment of said first arm and said second arm about said pivot joint enables such user-selected adjustments to said separation distance between the first wire retainer and second wire retainer of a respective said arch-shaped support member;
• wherein each said axially-extending rod member comprises external threads;
• wherein each arch-shaped support member comprises at least one aperture adapted to slidably receive said axially-extending rod member comprising said external threads;
• and
• each said strut-rod assembly further comprises a set of threaded nuts configured to engage said external threads and said arch-shaped support member;
• wherein said threaded nuts are structured and arranged to produce translational movement of said arch-shaped support member along said axially-extending rod member when said threaded nuts are rotated;
• wherein each said axially-extending rod member comprises a first rod segment and a second rod segment, said second rod segment independent of said first rod segment;
• wherein said first rod segment is engaged with a first said arch-shaped support member;
• wherein said second rod segment is engaged with a second said arch-shaped support member;
• wherein said axially-extending rod member further comprises an adjustable coupler configured adjustably couple said first rod segment and said second rod segment;
• wherein said adjustable coupler comprises an internally-threaded coupler configured threadably couple said first rod segment and said second rod segment;
• said internally-threaded coupler is structured and arranged to produce translational movement of at least one of said arch-shaped support members engaged with said first rod segment and said second rod segment;
• wherein said adjustable coupler comprises an articulatable joint configured to enable selected adjustments of an angular relationship between axes of said first rod segment and said second rod segment;
• wherein said articulatable joint comprises an articulation lock configured to lock a selected angular relationship between such axes of said first rod segment and said second rod segment;
• wherein said articulatable joint comprises an internally-threaded coupler configured threadably couple said articulatable joint with at least one of said first rod segment and said second rod segment;
• said internally-threaded coupler is structured and arranged to produce translational movement of at least one of said arch-shaped support members engaged with said first rod segment and said second rod segment;
• wherein each said arch-shaped support member is configured to receive at least four said axially-extending rod members;
• wherein said first wire retainer and said second wire retainer are configured to retain at least four of such Kirschner-type wires;
• wherein said first arm and said second arm of said arch-shaped support member defines an open central region adapted to receive a body portion containing the bone part;
• said open central region comprises an open side adapted to pass the body portion therethrough;
• wherein such Kirschner-type wires comprise a first wire end and a second wire end opposite the first wire end;
• said first wire-retainer is configured to firmly retain such first wire end;
• said second wire-retainer is configured to firmly retain such second wire end;
• and
• wherein the arch-shaped support members are constructed from at least one material selected from the group consisting of platinum, aluminum, steel, plastic, and fiber-reinforced composites.

A method of using an external bone fixator apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing at least two arch-shaped support members, each arch-shaped support member including a first arm having a first distal end thereof,
• a first wire retainer joined with the first distal end, the first wire-retainer configured to firmly retain a first set of bone-fixation wires usable to position a bone part,
• a second arm pivotally joined to the first arm, the second arm having a second distal end thereof,
• a second wire retainer joined with the second distal end, the second wire-retainer configured to firmly retain a second set of bone-fixation wires, the second wire-retainer structured and arranged to enable bone-fixation wires of the second set to include at least one bone-fixation wire of the first set, and
• a distance-of-separation adjuster configured to enable user-selected adjustments to a separation distance between the first wire retainer and the second wire retainer of a respective arch-shaped support member;
• providing a plurality of strut-rod assemblies configured to rigidly connect adjacent the arch-shaped support members together to define a fixator frame, each strut-rod assembly including
• axially-extending rod members configured to extend between the arch-shaped support members, and
• a positional adjuster configured to adjust relative geometrical positions of the adjacent arch-shaped support members;
• determining a distance of separation between the first wire retainer and the second wire retainer of each arch-shaped support member required to accommodate a body portion containing the bone part;
• adjusting the first wire retainer and the second wire retainer of each arch-shaped support member to the required distance of separation;
• locating the arch-shaped support members adjacent the bone parts of a fracture such that a plane extending between the first wire retainer and the second wire retainer of each arch-shaped support member passes through a respective bone part of the fracture;
• positioning the bone parts of the fracture by engaging the bone-fixation wires within the first wire retainers, the second wire retainers and the respective bone parts.