Patent · US Expired

External fixator with improved clamp and methods for use

US5674221A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
1References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 23, 1995
Grant dateOct 7, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 23, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B17/6466
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A low cost and easy to assemble external fixator for the stabilization of a bone fracture is disclosed. The assembly of the external fixator makes use of a clamp to secure a pin to a stabilization bar. The body of the clamp will have an indentation that can be placed over the stabilization bar. Each arm of the indentation will have a hole with the two holes being aligned such that a single pin can be placed through both holes across the mouth of the indentation. Once the stabilization bar is within the indentation a pin can be inserted through the two holes in the arms of the body to restrain the stabilization bar within the clamp. The clamp will have a force applicator such as a screw that will lock both the stabilization bar and pin to prevent relative motion of the stabilization bar and the pin relative to the clamp. The preferred clamp will have a retaining clasp for gripping the stabilization bar to resist the separation of the stabilization bar from the clamp.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.