External fixation apparatus and method

An external fixation system for attaching pins or wires to at least one bone segment, the system comprising:

• a first member;
• a second member coupled to the first member, the second member comprising a shaft that extends transversely from an end portion of the second member and has a groove extending substantially around a circumference of the shaft;
• and
• a pin clamp attachable to and detachable from the shaft of the second member, the pin clamp comprising:
• a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw having a central portion and two opposed jutting portions, the central portion having a bore adapted to receive the shaft and a hole located transverse to the bore;
• and
• a release mechanism that is positioned within the first jaw and is externally accessible for manual manipulation during use of the pin clamp, the release mechanism comprising a locator pin, a stop connected to the locator pin and located within the hole, and a biasing element, wherein the biasing element is adapted to bias the stop toward the groove when the second member and the pin clamp are coupled.

A method of treating a skeletal condition or injury using an external fixation apparatus, the method comprising:

• (a) fixing a first member to a first side of a fracture with upper bone pins;
• (b) fixing a pin clamp to a second side of the fracture with lower bone pins;
• (c) providing a pivot arm comprising an upper portion with a ball end and a second end opposite the ball end with a first recess formed in the second end and a lower portion with a prong end and a second end opposite the prong end with a second recess formed in the second end, where the upper and lower portions are secured together with the first and second recesses adjacent one another to form an internal recess in the pivot arm;
• (d) coupling the pin clamp to the first member through the use of the pivot arm, wherein the lower portion of the pivot arm is coupled directly to the pin clamp;
• (e) moving a carriage that is within the internal recess of the pivot arm to adjust a position of one of the upper and lower portions of the pivot arm with respect to a longitudinal axis of the pivot arm in an anterior-posterior direction;
• and
• (f) moving the carriage that is within the internal recess of the pivot arm to adjust a position of one of the upper and lower portions of the pivot arm with respect to a longitudinal axis of the pivot arm in a medial-lateral direction.

An external fixation apparatus comprising:

• a pivot arm having an upper portion and a lower portion;
• a shaft connected to the lower portion, the shaft having a circumferential grove;
• a pin clamp removably attached to the shaft, the pin clamp comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw having a central portion and two opposed jutting portions, the central portion having a bore adapted to receive the shaft and a stepped hole located transverse to the bore;
• a stop located within the stepped hole, the stop adapted to slide within the stepped hole and selectively engage the circumferential groove;
• a biasing element placed within the stepped hole to bias the stop into positive engagement with the circumferential groove;
• and
• a locator pin connected to the stop for selective movement of the stop out of contact with the groove.

An external fixation apparatus comprising:

• a pivot arm having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an internal recess;
• a shaft connected to the lower portion, the shaft having a circumferential grove;
• a pin clamp removably attached to the shaft of the second member, the pin clamp comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw having a central portion and two opposed jutting portions, the central portion having a bore adapted to receive the shaft and a stepped hole located transverse to the bore;
• a stop located within the stepped hole, the stop adapted to slide within the stepped hole and selectively engage the circumferential groove;
• a biasing element placed within the stepped hole to bias the stop into positive engagement with the circumferential groove;
• a locator pin connected to the stop for selective movement of the stop out of contact with the groove;
• and
• a carriage unit located within the recess, the carriage unit operatively connected to the upper portion and to the lower portion, and the carriage unit having a first adjustment member for adjustment of at least one portion of the pivot arm in a medial-lateral direction and a second adjustment member for adjustment of at least one portion of the pivot arm in an anterior-posterior direction.

An external fixation apparatus comprising:

• a pivot arm having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a first end portion and a second opposite end portion having a first recess formed therein;
• and the lower portion having a third end portion with a prong end and a fourth opposite end portion having a second recess formed therein, wherein the lower portion and upper portion are secured together with the first and second recesses adjacent one another to form an internal recess in the pivot arm;
• a pin clamp removably attached to the lower portion;
• and
• a carriage within the internal recess, the carriage comprising a first worm gear, a second worm gear, a first keybolt corresponding to the first worm gear, and a second keybolt corresponding to the second keybolt, wherein the upper portion may be translated relative to the lower portion in at least two independent directions.

An external fixation apparatus comprising:

• a pivot arm having a longitudinal axis, an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a ball end and a second opposite end having a first recess formed therein, the lower portion with a prong end and a second opposite end having a recess formed therein, wherein the lower portion and upper portion are secured together with the first and second recesses adjacent one another to form an internal recess in the pivot arm;
• a carriage within the internal recess, the carriage comprising a first worm gear, a second worm gear, a first keybolt corresponding to the first worm gear, and a second keybolt corresponding to the second keybolt, wherein rotation of the first keybolt moves the lower portion in a medial-lateral direction and rotation of the second keybolt moves the upper portion in an anterior-posterior direction;
• a shaft connected to the prong end, the shaft having a circumferential grove;
• a pin clamp removably attached to the shaft of the second member, the pin clamp comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw having a central portion and two opposed jutting portions, the central portion having a bore adapted to receive the shaft and a stepped hole located transverse to the bore;
• a stop located within the stepped hole, the stop adapted to slide within the stepped hole and selectively engage the circumferential groove;
• a biasing element placed within the stepped hole to bias the stop into positive engagement with the circumferential groove;
• and
• a locator pin connected to the stop for selective movement of the stop out of contact with the groove.