Tension isolating adjustable adapter for external fixation and methods of production and use thereof
AssigneeDePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
InventorsAnna Zastrozna, James Amis, Michael Wahl
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Tension isolating adjustable adapters are disclosed, along with kits and systems containing same, as well as methods of production and use thereof. The tension isolating adjustable adapters include a percutaneous device holder that can be releasably connected to a percutaneous device via a locking element, and a tensioning member that engages the percutaneous device holder. The tensioning member has at least one tension pad that is shaped and configured to be disposed about the percutaneous device insertion site in the patient's skin, and the engagement of the tensioning member(s) to the percutaneous device holder allows for adjustment of the tension pad(s).
Claims21
A tension isolating adjustable adapter for use with a percutaneous device, the adapter comprising:
- a percutaneous device holder, the percutaneous device holder having a recess sized and shaped to receive a portion of a percutaneous device, the percutaneous device holder further comprising a first groove and a second groove;
- a tensioning member releasably coupled to the percutaneous device holder, the tensioning member having at least one guide rail and at least one tension pad coupled to the guide rail, the at least one guide rail being releasably inserted into the second groove of the percutaneous device holder, wherein the at least one tension pad is shaped and configured to be disposed about an insertion site of the percutaneous device, and wherein the at least one guide rail engages the second groove of the percutaneous device holder in a manner that allows for adjustment of the at least one tension pad;
- and
- a locking element coupled to the first groove of the percutaneous device holder, wherein the locking element is shaped and configured to secure the percutaneous device holder to the percutaneous device.
A method, comprising the steps of:
- (A) connecting a tension isolating adjustable adapter to a portion of a percutaneous device, inserting a portion of the percutaneous device through a skin of a patient, and fixating the inserted portion of the percutaneous device within a body of the patient, whereby the portion of the percutaneous device to which the tension isolating adjustable adapter is connected extends above the patient's skin;
- (B) adjusting the tension isolating adjustable adapter along the length of the percutaneous device until at least one tension pad of the tension isolating adjustable adapter contacts the skin of the patient;
- and
- (C) adjusting the at least one tension pad until the at least one tension pad contacts the patient's skin with a sufficient amount of pressure so as to maintain the skin disposed between an insertion site of the percutaneous device and the at least one tension pad in a substantially taut orientation and thereby distribute any force exerted by the percutaneous device around the area of skin disposed between the percutaneous device insertion site and the at least one tension pad.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.