US 4,796,612 A · Bone clamp and method

Abstract

A bone clamp and method of use is described for clamping damaged or fractured bones. The clamp comprises a hooked or barbed pin which is inserted through a hole in the bones to be clamped. The hook springs out to rest against the far side of the bone. The shaft of the pin protrudes from the near side of the bone and has conical shaped protrusions whose larger ends face toward the hook. A unitary clamping button having a central bore smaller than the larger ends of the conical protrusions is slipped over the exposed shaft and forced over the protrusions. The protrusions and/or the button deform to allow passage of the button. Once the button is past a protrusion the deformed parts spring back to their original shape and the button cannot be retracted. An automatically locking ratchet-type clamping action is obtained and installation of the button may be made with one hand.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A bone clamping apparatus, comprising:

an elongated shaft means for passing through an aperture in the bone, wherein said shaft means has opposed first and second ends;
first bone engagement meas, attached to said shaft means at said first end for engaging a first surface of the bone;
unitary second bone engagement means, separate from said shaft means, and having a central bore for sliding over said shaft means and engaging a second surface of the bone opposite said first surface to form a clamp;
wherein said elongated shaft means has thereon one or more substantially circumferential ring means for permitting said second bone engagement means to move along said shaft toward said first end, but preventing said second bone engaement means from moving back toward said second end, said elongated shaft means further having slot means extending substantially from said second end to said first bone engagement means for receiving a tool for inserting said clamp in said aperture in said bone.

1 more element

A method for clamping one or more bones, comprising:

providing an aperture through said one or more bones, wherein said aperture has opposed first and second ends;
providing a bone clamp having a longitudinal pin for passing through said aperture, said pin further having a longitudinal slot for receiving an installation rod;
providing a unitary button means having a central bore for sliding over said pin and having a first face for clamping against a second surface of said one or more bones adjacent a second end of said aperture, wherein said central bore has a predetermined inner lateral dimension;
providing one or more sloping tooth means on said pin between said first and second mends for engaging said button and retaining said button on said pin, wherein each said tooth means has a first portion of smaller lateral extent facing toward said second end of said pin and a second portion of larger lateral extent facing toward said first end of said pin and an outward sloping face therebetween, and wherein said second portion of said tooth means has a predetermined outer lateral dimension, wherein said outer dimension of said tooth means exceeds said inner dimension of said button means, and wherein one or both of said tooth and button are laterally deformable to allow said button means to slide unidirectionally over said tooth means;
inserting said installation rod in said pin prior to inserting the combination of said installation rod and said pin in said aperture, inserting said combination in said aperture, and thereafter removing said installation rod;
locating said first engagement means against said first surface of said at least one bone;
placing said button means over said second end of said pin;
sliding said button means down said pin over said tooth means toward said second end of said aperture until resting against said second surface of said at least one bone;
and
locking said button means and pin together by said tooth means.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bone clamp and method

Life of this patent

Bone clamp and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13