Orthopedic external fixator and method of use
AssigneeIMDS Corporation
InventorVirak Tan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An orthopedic apparatus is provided for bridging a first bone unit to a second bone unit. The apparatus is demonstrated on a finger joint, wherein one of the bones and/or ligaments and/or tendons of the joint is/are injured. A method for implanting and using the apparatus also is presented. The apparatus includes a reformably deformable span portion which is generally circular and preferably rhombic. By deforming or reforming the span portion, it can be repositioned laterally, and/or it can be rotated to allow range of rotary motion so as to promote healing.
Claims12
An orthopedic apparatus for bridging between a first bone unit and a second bone unit of at least one of an injured bone and an injured joint for one of distraction, compression, and static of the at least one of the injured bone and the injured joint, comprising:
- a) first attaching means for connecting said apparatus to the first bone unit;
- b) second attaching means for connecting said apparatus to the second bone unit;
- and
- c) control means operatively associated with said first attaching means and with said second attaching means to produce at least two conditions:
- I) in a first of said conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a first direction relative to the first bone unit for one of the distraction and the compression of the at least one of the injured bone and the injured joint, and
- ii) in a second of said conditions, the second bone unit is urged in a direction other than said first direction for the other one of the distraction and the compression of the at least one of the injured bone and the injured joint;
- wherein said control means includes a reformally deformable member that moves said first attaching means and said second attaching means relative to each other;
- wherein said first attaching means includes at least one first circular-shaped ring;
- wherein said at least one first circular-shaped ring of said first attaching means is for receiving an end of at least one first pin, respectively, passing transversely at least into the first bone unit;
- wherein said second attaching means includes at least one second circular-shaped ring;
- wherein said at least one second circular-shaped ring of said second attaching means is for receiving an end of at least one second pin, respectively, passing transversely at least into the second bone unit;
- wherein said at least one second circular-shaped ring of said second attaching means is at least a pair of second circular-shaped rings;
- wherein said at least a pair of second circular-shaped rings of said second attaching means receive at least a pair of second pins, respectively;
- wherein said at least a pair of second circular-shaped rings of said second attaching means are connected to each other by a rod;
- wherein said control means is connected between said at least one first circular-shaped ring of said first attaching means and said at least one second circular-shaped ring of said second attaching means;
- wherein said control means includes a rhombus-shaped ring;
- and
- wherein said rhombus-shaped ring of said control means is made from a non-memory metal so as to allow it to maintain its deformed shape once deformed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.