US 5,702,389 A · Orthopaedic fixation device

Abstract

A spatial frame for positioning a first element or the like relative to a second element or the like. The spatial frame includes a first base for mounting to the first element; a second base for mounting to the second element; a plurality of adjustable effective length struts; connector structure for rotatably attaching the first ends of a first pair of struts relative to one another and relative to the first base; connector structure for rotatably attaching the first ends of a second pair of struts relative to one another and relative to the first base; connector structure for rotatably attaching the first ends of a third pair of struts relative to one another and relative to the first base; connector structure for rotatably attaching the second ends of the first pair of struts relative to one another and relative to the second base; connector structure for rotatably attaching the second ends of the second pair of struts relative to one another and relative to the second base member; and connector structure for rotatably attaching the second ends of the third pair of struts relative to one another and relative to the second base member.

Claims30

Dependent claims

An orthopedic fixator for positioning a first element relative to a second element, said fixator comprising:

(a) a first base member for mounting to said first element;
(b) a second base member for mounting to said second element;
(c) an adjustable effective length first strut having a first end and a second end;
(d) an adjustable effective length second strut having a first end and a second end;
(e) an adjustable effective length third strut having a first end and a second end;
(f) an adjustable effective length fourth strut having a first end and a second end;
(g) an adjustable effective length fifth strut having a first end and a second end;
(h) an adjustable effective length sixth strut having a first end and a second end;
(i) first connector for rotatably attaching said first ends of said first and second struts relative to one another and relative to said first base member;
(j) second connector for rotatably attaching said first ends of said third and fourth struts relative to one another and relative to said first base member;
(k) third connector for rotatably attaching said first ends of said fifth and sixth struts relative to one another and relative to said first base member;
(l) fourth connector for rotatably attaching said second ends of said first and sixth struts relative to one another and relative to said second base member;
(m) fifth connector for rotatably attaching said second ends of said second and third struts relative to one another and relative to said second base member;
(n) sixth connector for rotatably attaching said second ends of said fourth and fifth struts relative to one another and relative to said second base member.

11 more elements

An orthopedic fixator for securing a first bone element relative to a second bone element, said fixator comprising:

(a) a first base member for attachment to said first bone element;
(b) a second base member for attachment to said second bone element;
(c) an adjustable effective length first strut having a longitudinal axis, having a first end, and having a second end;
(d) an adjustable effective length second strut having a longitudinal axis, having a first end, and having a second end;
(e) an adjustable effective length third strut having a longitudinal axis, having a first end, and having a second end;
(f) an adjustable effective length fourth strut having a longitudinal axis, having a first end, and having a second end;
(g) an adjustable effective length fifth strut having a longitudinal axis, having a first end, and having a second end;
(h) an adjustable effective length sixth strut having a longitudinal axis, having a first end, and having a second end;
and
(i) a plurality of connectors for rotationally movably connecting said first ends of said struts to said first base member and said second ends of said struts to said second base member, for allowing free unclamped rotation of said first ends of said struts relative to said first base member and said second ends of said struts relative to said second base member, and for preventing translation of said first ends of said struts away from said first base member and said second ends of said struts away from said second base member, for angling said longitudinal axis of said first strut to said longitudinal axis of said second strut, for angling said longitudinal axis of said second strut to said longitudinal axis of said third strut, for angling said longitudinal axis of said third strut relative to said longitudinal axis of said fourth strut, for angling said longitudinal axis of said fourth strut to said longitudinal axis of said fifth strut, for angling said longitudinal axis of said fifth strut relative to said longitudinal axis of said sixth strut, and for angling said longitudinal axis of said sixth strut relative to said longitudinal axis of said first strut.

7 more elements

An orthopedic fixator for securing a first bone element relative to a second bone element, said fixator comprising:

(a) a first base member for attachment to said first bone element;
(b) a second base member for attachment to said second bone element;
(c) an adjustable effective length first strut having a first end movably attached to said first base member and a second end movably attached to said second base member;
(d) an adjustable effective length second strut having a first end movably attached to said first base member and a second end movably attached to said second base member;
(e) an adjustable effective length third strut having a first end movably attached to said first base member and a second end movably attached to said second base member;
(f) an adjustable effective length fourth strut having a first end movably attached to said first base member and a second end movably attached to said second base member;
(g) an adjustable effective length fifth strut having a first end movably attached to said first base member and a second end movably attached to said second base member;
(h) an adjustable effective length sixth strut having a first end movably attached to said first base member and a second end movably attached to said second base member;
in which said first ends of said first and second struts are joined relative to one another so that movement of said first end of one of said first and second struts will cause a corresponding movement of said first end of said other strut;
in which said first ends of said third and fourth struts are joined relative to one another so that movement of said first end of one of said third and fourth struts will cause a corresponding movement of said first end of said other strut;
and
in which said first ends of said fifth and sixth struts are joined relative to one another so that movement of said first end of one of said fifth and sixth struts will cause a corresponding movement of said first end of said other strut.

9 more elements

A orthopaedic fixator for selective repositioning of a first bone relative to a second bone, said device comprising:

(a) a first base member having a fastener that attaches said first bone to said first base member;
(b) a second base member having a fastener that attaches said second bone to said second base member;
(c) at least six adjustable effective length struts each having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of said struts is pivotably connected to said first base member, and the second end of each of said struts is pivotably connected to said second base member;
whereby the effective length of one or more of said struts can be changed to adjust the translational position of said first bone relative to said second bone or adjust the rotational position of said first bone relative to said second bone.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Orthopaedic fixation device

Life of this patent

Orthopaedic fixation device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30