Universal clamp apparatus for bone fixation device

US11660122B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• INFIX, INC. · US

Inventors

• Bruce H. Ziran · Atlanta, US
• Patrick Kelly Capeheart · Dahlonega, US
• Christian Lutz · Kassel, DE
• Ole Prien · Kiel, DE
• Roman Rau · Kiel, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 11, 2021
• Grant date: May 30, 2023
• Expiry date: Nov 11, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/0042
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A universal clamp apparatus for orthopedic external fixators is disclosed. Preferably, the universal clamp apparatus has two pin/rod clamps, each having seating grooves for attaching to a frame rod associated with a frame of the fixator and/or a bone pin for implantation in a bone fragment. A clamp screw extends through and connects the first and second pin/rod clamps. An ergonomically designed knob having at least one collapsible or non-collapsible turn lever acts as a torque amplifier when rotated by hand without tools to tighten and untighten the pin/rod clamps to the frame rod and/or bone pin by movement along the clamp screw. The pin/rod clamps have planar sides that are contiguous and have radial ratchet grooves that are in mating engagement and provide a ratcheting mechanism so that the rotation of the pin/rod clamps relative to each other occurs in incremental rotational steps.