Clamping device for use with an anatomic external fixation device
Inventors
Sanders, Roy W. • Gutierrez, Sergio
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10278734-B2
Publication Date
2019-05-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A clamping device includes a clamp body and a locking assembly. The clamp body includes a first jaw defining a first opening and a second jaw defining a second opening. The locking assembly includes a first locking element, a second locking element, and a lever. The first locking element includes a first end and a shaft portion extending from the first end. The shaft portion is sized to pass through the first opening and the second opening. The locking assembly is configured to reduce a distance between the first jaw and the second jaw responsive to rotation of the second locking element. The lever is configured to attach to the second locking element and rotate about the second locking element from a first position to a second position to cause the distance between the first jaw and the second jaw to be reduced further.
Core Innovation
The disclosed technology relates to a locking assembly for an external fixator clamping device. A first locking component includes a base with a cam receiver extending from a first surface to a cam receiver edge, and the cam receiver is configured to receive a cam. The first surface defines an opening that is not parallel to a plane passing through the cam receiver.
A second locking component includes a shaft portion configured to couple to the first locking component to translate through the non-parallel opening along a first axis. The cam includes a cam edge that defines a center of rotation, with a first radius and a second radius extending from the center of rotation to different points on the cam edge. The second radius is perpendicular to and less than the first radius, and the cam defines a channel configured to receive a bone pin.
The cam is configured to be rotated along the cam receiver edge about a second axis that is not parallel to the first axis. Rotation moves the cam between a first position and a second position such that the center of rotation is spaced from the first edge point by the first radius in the first position and by the second radius in the second position. The described locking architecture further includes lever-guided reduction of jaw spacing in stages, additional mechanical advantage generated by cam wall radii, retention via a tab and tab receiver, an optional lock release member, and guidance of the bone pin by a lever channel and conical or tilting motion enabled by openings in the jaws.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims: one directed to a locking assembly and one directed to a surgical kit for an external fixator system. Across the two independent claims, the core inventive structure is the cam-based locking mechanism that changes cam center-of-rotation spacing using first and second cam radii while translating a second locking component through a non-parallel opening, with a bone-pin channel and a non-parallel relationship between first and second axes.
Non-parallel opening with cam receiver and translate-along-first-axis locking
A first locking component includes a base with a cam receiver extending from a first surface to a cam receiver edge, wherein the cam receiver is configured to receive a cam and the first surface defines an opening that is not parallel to a plane passing through the cam receiver; a second locking component configured to translate through the opening along a first axis while coupled to the first locking component.
Cam with first and second radii defining center-of-rotation spacing change
The cam defines a center of rotation with a first radius extending from the center of rotation to a first point of the cam edge and a second radius extending from the center of rotation to a second point of the cam edge, where the second radius is perpendicular to and less than the first radius, and where the cam is rotated to move the center of rotation between positions spaced from the first edge point by the first radius and by the second radius.
Bone-pin channel receiving cam and rotation along cam receiver edge about a second axis
The cam defines a channel configured to receive a bone pin, and the cam is configured to be rotated along the cam receiver edge about a second axis that is not parallel to the first axis from a first position to a second position as defined by the changing radius spacing.
Rotational engagement feature translating while rotated about the first axis (surgical kit)
In the surgical kit, the second locking component includes at least one rotational engagement feature configured to be coupled to the first locking component to translate the second locking component through the opening along a first axis while being rotated about the first axis.
Overall claim coverage in the partial content centers on a cam-based locking assembly in which rotation of a cam along a cam receiver edge about a non-parallel axis changes the spacing of the cam center of rotation using different cam radii, while a second locking component is translated through an opening that is not parallel to a plane through the cam receiver. Both independent claims further require a cam channel configured to receive a bone pin, and the surgical-kit version specifies rotational engagement features enabling translation while being rotated about the first axis.
Stated Advantages
Reduce surgical time by simplifying locking/adjustment.
Documented Applications
Anatomic external-fixation clamping system embodiments including elbow-spanning external fixation systems, hinged external fixation systems, knee-spanning external fixation systems, and ankle-spanning external fixation systems.
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