External fixation device
Inventors
Mullaney, Michael W. • Miller, Stephen T. • Austin, William B. • Martens, Todd A.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11207104-B2
Publication Date
2021-12-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
An external fixation system for the correction of long bone deformities includes an elongate beam element having an engagement feature along a longitudinal edge of the elongate beam element, a connector element secured to the elongate beam and structurally configured to support a first bone anchor extending from the external fixation system, and a movable carriage engaged with the engagement feature along the longitudinal edge of the elongate beam element and selectively movable along the engagement feature of the elongate beam element. The movable carriage is selectively lockable into a position along the elongate beam element. The movable carriage is structurally configured to support a second bone anchor extending from the external fixation system.
Core Innovation
The fixation system for the treatment of long bones comprises an elongate beam element, anchor-supporting components, and a hinge element configured to span a joint of a patient. The hinge allows bone anchors to rotate relative to one another about a hinge axis. Rotation joints or a rotatable anchor block adjust a bone anchor to different angles in relation to the beam. A movable carriage further provides adjustment of the distance between bone anchors.
The described configurations include a hinge that maintains its position relative to a first bone anchor while moving relative to the beam element. Slots in the hinge element allow the hinge axis to be placed at a range of heights relative to the first bone anchor. Additional arrangements include a hinge aligned with a guide pin and a beam-mounted movable carriage featuring rack-based positioning.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover four inventive features for a long-bone fixation system, including adjustable connector arrangements, rotatable anchor blocks, slotted hinges, and a movable carriage.
Adjustable connector and joint-spanning hinge
An elongate beam element carries a connector element comprising a rotation joint, an anchor block supporting a first bone anchor, and a hinge element configured to span a patient joint and allow first and second bone anchors to rotate relative to one another about a hinge axis separate from the rotation axis. The rotation joint adjusts the first bone anchor to different angles in relation to the beam, while the hinge maintains its position relative to the first bone anchor while rotating relative to the beam.
Rotatable anchor block with joint-spanning hinge
An anchor block carried by the elongate beam element is rotatable relative to it to rotate a first bone anchor, together with a hinge element configured to span a patient joint and allow first and second bone anchors to rotate relative to one another about a hinge axis. The hinge connects to the anchor block and rotates with it, maintaining its position relative to the first bone anchor while rotating relative to the beam.
Slotted hinge with adjustable hinge-axis height
A connector element includes a rotation joint and an anchor block supporting a first bone anchor, together with a hinge element configured to span a patient joint and allow relative rotation of first and second bone anchors. Slots in the hinge element allow it to connect to an end of the connector element so that the hinge axis can be placed at a range of heights relative to the first bone anchor.
Movable carriage for anchor spacing and angular adjustment
A movable carriage selectively moves along the elongate beam element and supports a first bone anchor, together with an anchor block supporting a second bone anchor. The carriage selectively adjusts the distance between the anchors, while a connector element carried by the carriage adjusts the first bone anchor to different angles relative to the beam. A joint-spanning hinge supports relative rotation of the bone anchors and moves with the first bone anchor while maintaining its position relative to it.
The independent claims cover beam-based long-bone fixation systems that combine bone-anchor support with angular adjustment and joint-spanning hinge arrangements, including slotted positioning of a hinge axis and carriage-based adjustment of anchor spacing.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
A fixation system for the treatment of long bones, with a hinge element configured to span a joint of a patient.
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