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Publication Number
US-10143494-B2
Publication Date
2018-12-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A circular external fixator, comprising a plurality of rings mutually associated by means of spacer members, each of said rings comprising a plurality of axial bores adapted to engage a fastening means for wire retaining devices. The rings have coupling portions for the connection of the spacer members; each coupling portion has a radial slot adapted to receive a head of one of the spacer member with a snap-on connection.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a circular external fixator comprising a plurality of rings mutually associated by means of spacer members. Each ring comprises a plurality of axial bores adapted to engage a fastening means for wire retaining devices, and the rings have coupling portions for the connection of the spacer members, including a coupling portion with a radial slot having a radially facing opening for receiving a spacer end via a snap-on connection.
A spacer end is received in the radial slot and is locked by a snap-on connection using a screw and a plug. The plug is slidingly connected with the spacer end and is biased by a spring towards a head of the screw, where the screw head is larger than at least a part of the shaft. The coupling arrangement allows the spacer-ring connection to be made with the snap-on locking while providing access to the ring axial bores for engagement with wire retaining devices.
The spacer members include fixed spacers and extendable spacers. The fixed spacer has a fixed bar with snap-on connections through a spring-biased sliding plug and screw arrangement into the ring radial slot, while the extendable spacer includes a central body engaging a threaded bar having a radial bore for a pin passing through a longitudinal slot, and spring-biased plug/screw snap-on connections into ring radial slots.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims covering a circular external fixator with multiple rings linked by spacer members. The inventive coverage centers on ring axial bores for fastening wire retaining devices and ring coupling portions that receive spacer ends via snap-on connections with a screw and spring-biased plug, together with distinct spacer constructions and an optional compression spring arrangement.
Circular external fixator with axial bores for wire retaining fastening and ring coupling portions
A circular external fixator comprising a plurality of rings mutually associated by means of spacer members, each ring comprising a plurality of axial bores adapted to engage a fastening means for wire retaining devices, and the rings having coupling portions for the connection of the spacer members.
Snap-on coupling of spacer end into ring radial slot
A coupling portion having at least one radial slot with a radially facing opening adapted to receive a spacer end with a snap-on connection, the spacer end comprising a screw and a plug, with the plug slidingly connected and biased by a spring towards a screw head that is larger than at least a part of the shaft, to lock the spacer end into the radial slot.
Compression spring arrangement for plug
The plug is biased by a compression spring disposed on a side of the plug opposite the screw head.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on a circular external fixator with rings having axial bores for fastening wire retaining devices and coupling portions that receive spacer ends via snap-on connections, where locking is implemented using a screw and a spring-biased sliding plug into a radially facing radial slot. The claim set also addresses fixed versus extendable spacers and ring semicircle constructions with specified recess and bore relationships.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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