Apparatus for fixation of the bones in a healing bone fracture
US6017341A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/064
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to methods for measuring the strength of a healing bone fracture by rotating the bones about their axis at each side of the fracture relative to each other and measure the needed rotational moment as a function of the rotational angle obtained. The present invention also relates to apparatus comprising a first (5) and a second (8) ring shaped member, studs (15) connecting these members (5, 8) with an axial distance from each other, and fixing pins (6, 14) rigidly connecting the respective ring shaped members and the bone (1) at respective sides of the fracture. One ring member (8) comprises a first (10) and a second (9) element joined so that they can be rotated but not axially displaced relative to each other, the first element (10) carrying the studs (15) and the second element (9) carrying the fixing pins (14). The elements (9, 10) forming the second ring member (8) are engaged by respective jaws of a tong shaped tool provided with measuring devices (42, 47) to measure the length of the movement of the jaws and the force needed for this movement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.