IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0038103
(2011-03-01)
|
등록번호 |
US-8361073
(2013-01-29)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
6 인용 특허 :
58 |
초록
▼
An articulation element consisting of a plurality of adjustable jaw pairs for the purposes of fixating the relative position of coupled bars and/or bone pins of an external bone fixator. Each of the adjustable jaws consists of a pair of hemispherical jaw elements contained within a spherical housing
An articulation element consisting of a plurality of adjustable jaw pairs for the purposes of fixating the relative position of coupled bars and/or bone pins of an external bone fixator. Each of the adjustable jaws consists of a pair of hemispherical jaw elements contained within a spherical housing. A passage is eccentrically arranged through the jaw elements to accept the pin or bar. The jaw elements have interposed between them a spring element that serves to bias the jaw elements in the closed position. Pins serve to provisionally lock the jaw elements in the closed position. Spring loaded buttons act to release the pins thereby allowing the jaw elements to open accepting the pin or bar. The jaws are attached in a back to back fashion through the use of a threaded collar which acts as a turnbuckle pulling the jaws together when tightened.
대표청구항
▼
1. An articulation element for an external fixation apparatus for treating a patient, the element having a longitudinal axis, said element comprising: a first adjustable jaw pair configured to apply clamping pressure to capture a first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus;a second adjust
1. An articulation element for an external fixation apparatus for treating a patient, the element having a longitudinal axis, said element comprising: a first adjustable jaw pair configured to apply clamping pressure to capture a first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus;a second adjustable jaw pair configured to apply clamping pressure to capture a second rigid element of the external fixation apparatus; anda coupling mechanism disposed between the first and second jaw pairs so as to allow the first jaw pair to rotate relative to the second jaw pair about the longitudinal axis, the coupling mechanism being disposed at a first location on the longitudinal axis, and having a first substantially curved surface interfacing with at least one jaw of the first jaw pairthe first adjustable jaw pair disposed so as to pivot about a constrained first transverse pivot axis that is angled relative to a first rigid element captured by the first adjustable jaw pair, the first transverse pivot axis being displaced from the first location in a first direction along the longitudinal axis,the second adjustable jaw pair disposed so as to pivot about a constrained second transverse pivot axis that is angled relative to a second rigid element captured by the second adjustable pair, the second transverse pivot axis being displaced from the first location in a second direction different than the first direction. 2. The articulation element of claim 1, comprising a locking mechanism structurally configured to lock the relative orientation of said first adjustable jaw pair to said second adjustable jaw pair. 3. The articulation element of claim 1, wherein the first transverse pivot axis intersects the longitudinal axis. 4. The articulation element of claim 3, wherein the second transverse pivot axis intersects the longitudinal axis. 5. The articulation element of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a first component and a second component independent of and disposed between the first and second adjustable jaw pairs, the first and second components being pivotable relative to each other about the longitudinal axis, the first and second adjustable jaw pairs being pivotable relative to the respective first and second components. 6. The articulation element of claim 5, wherein the first component and second component each have a facing surface disposed to face each other and cooperatively restrict rotational movement of the first component relative to the second component when the articulation element is clamped. 7. The articulation element of claim 6, wherein the facing surfaces are substantially flat surfaces. 8. The articulation element of claim 5, wherein the first component comprises the first substantially curved surface facing toward the first adjustable jaw pair. 9. The articulation element of claim 8, wherein the first substantially curved surface is structurally configured to engage against said at least one jaw of the first adjustable jaw pair and selectively limit movement of the first adjustable jaw pair about the first transverse axis. 10. The articulation element of claim 8, wherein the first substantially curved surface receives at least a part of the first adjustable jaw pair. 11. The articulation element of claim 8, wherein the first substantially curved surface is shaped to match at least a part of the first adjustable jaw pair. 12. The articulation element of claim 1, further comprising a first biasing member disposed to apply a biasing force that acts on the first adjustable jaw pair to bias jaws of the first adjustable jaw pair to a closed position. 13. The articulation element of claim 1, wherein the first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus is one of an external fixation bar and a bone pin. 14. The articulation element of claim 1, comprising a locking mechanism structurally configured to lock the relative orientation of said first clamping member to said second clamping member, the locking mechanism being configured to simultaneously restrict rotational motion about the longitudinal axis and restrict pivot motion of the first adjustable jaw pair about the first transverse pivot axis. 15. The articulation element of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism is structurally configured to further restrict pivot motion of the second adjustable jaw pair about the second transverse pivot axis. 16. The articulation element of claim 1, wherein each adjustable jaw pair includes a curvate surface forming an inner surface of the adjustable jaw pair, the curvate surface comprising a tooth grip surface. 17. The articulation element of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism is disposed between and at equal distances from the first and second adjustable jaw pairs. 18. An external fixation system comprising: the articulation element of claim 1;a bone pin as the first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus; anda rigid rod as the second rigid element of the external fixation apparatus. 19. An external fixation system comprising: the articulation element of claim 1; a bone pin as the first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus; anda rigid rod as the second rigid element of the external fixation apparatus. 20. An articulation element for an external fixation apparatus for treating a patient, the element having a longitudinal axis, said element comprising: a first articulation element comprising a first adjustable jaw pair configured to apply clamping pressure to capture a first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus, anda first rotational component adjacent the first adjustable jaw pair having a substantially flat surface and a substantially curved surface, the curved surface facing the first adjustable jaw pair; anda second articulation element comprising a second adjustable jaw pair configured to apply clamping pressure to capture a second rigid element of the external fixation apparatus, anda second rotational component adjacent the second adjustable jaw having a substantially flat surface and a substantially curved surface, the curved surface facing the second adjustable jaw pair,wherein the substantially flat surface of the first rotational component faces the substantially flat surface of the second rotational component,the second articulation element being rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the first articulation element,the first adjustable jaw pair being pivotable relative to the first rotational component about a constrained first transverse pivot axis that is angled relative to a first rigid element captured by the first adjustable jaw pair,the second adjustable jaw pair being pivotable relative to the second rotational component about a constrained second transverse pivot axis that is angled relative to a second rigid element captured by the second adjustable jaw pair. 21. The articulation element of claim 20, comprising a locking mechanism structurally configured to lock the relative orientation of said first adjustable jaw pair to said second adjustable jaw pair. 22. The articulation element of claim 20, wherein the first transverse pivot axis intersects the longitudinal axis. 23. The articulation element of claim 22, wherein the second transverse pivot axis intersects the longitudinal axis. 24. The articulation element of claim 20, wherein the first substantially flat surface comprises impressions configured to aid in preventing relative movement of the first rotational component and the second rotational component. 25. The articulation element of claim 20, wherein the first substantially curved surface interfaces with at least one jaw of the first adjustable jaw pair. 26. The articulation element of claim 25, wherein the first substantially curved surface is structurally configured to engage against said at least one jaw of the first adjustable jaw pair and selectively limit movement of the first adjustable jaw pair about the first transverse axis. 27. The articulation element of claim 20, wherein the first substantially curved surface receives at least a part of the first adjustable jaw pair. 28. The articulation element of claim 20, wherein the first substantially curved surface is shaped to match at least a part of the first adjustable jaw pair. 29. The articulation element of claim 20, further comprising a first biasing member disposed to apply a biasing force that acts on the first adjustable jaw pair to bias jaws of the first adjustable jaw pair to a closed position. 30. The articulation element of claim 20, wherein the first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus is one of an external fixation bar and a bone pin. 31. The articulation element of claim 20, comprising a locking mechanism structurally configured to lock the relative orientation of said first adjustable jaw pair to said second adjustable jaw pair, the locking mechanism being configured to simultaneously restrict rotational motion about the longitudinal axis and restrict pivot motion of the first adjustable jaw pair about the first transverse pivot axis. 32. The articulation element of claim 31, wherein the locking mechanism is structurally configured to further restrict pivot motion of the second adjustable jaw pair about the second transverse pivot axis. 33. The articulation element of claim 20, wherein each adjustable jaw pair includes a curvate surface forming an inner surface of the adjustable jaw pair, the curvate surface comprising a tooth grip surface. 34. The articulation element of claim 20, wherein the first and second rotational components are disposed between and at equal distances from the first and second adjustable jaw pairs. 35. An articulation element for an external fixation apparatus for treating a patient, the element having a longitudinal axis, said element comprising: a first articulation element comprising a first adjustable jaw pair configured to apply clamping pressure to capture a first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus, anda first rotational component adjacent the first adjustable jaw pair and having a first substantially concavely curved surface shaped to interface with at least one jaw of the first adjustable jaw pair, the first adjustable jaw pair being pivotable about a constrained first transverse axis that is angled relative to a first rigid element captured by the first adjustable jaw pair so as to pivot relative to the first rotational component; anda second articulation element comprising a second adjustable jaw pair configured to apply clamping pressure to capture a second rigid element of the external fixation apparatus, anda second rotational component adjacent the second adjustable jaw pair shaped to interface with at least one jaw of the second adjustable jaw pair, the second adjustable jaw pair being pivotable about a constrained second transverse axis that is angled relative to a second rigid element captured by the second adjustable jaw pair so as to pivot relative to the second rotational component;wherein the first articulation element is rotatable relative to the second articulation element about the longitudinal axis, the relative rotation occurring at a rotational location on the longitudinal axis, andwherein the first articulation element is structurally arranged such that the first transverse axis is spaced from the rotational location in a first direction along the longitudinal axis,and wherein the second articulation element is structurally arranged such that the second transverse axis is spaced from the rotational location in a second direction different than the first direction. 36. The articulation element of claim 35, comprising a locking mechanism structurally configured to lock the relative orientation of said first adjustable jaw pair to said second adjustable jaw pair. 37. The articulation element of claim 35, wherein the first transverse pivot axis intersects the longitudinal axis. 38. The articulation element of claim 37, wherein the second transverse pivot axis intersects the longitudinal axis. 39. The articulation element of claim 35, wherein the first rotational component and the second rotational component are independent of and disposed between the first and second adjustable jaw pairs. 40. The articulation element of claim 35, wherein the first rotational component and the second rotational component each have a facing surface disposed to face each other and cooperatively restrict rotational movement of the first component relative to the second component when the articulation element is clamped. 41. The articulation element of claim 40, wherein the facing surfaces are substantially flat surfaces. 42. The articulation element of claim 35, wherein the first substantially concavely curved surface interfaces with at least one jaw of the first adjustable jaw pair. 43. The articulation element of claim 42, wherein the first substantially concavely curved surface is structurally configured to engage against said at least one jaw of the first adjustable jaw pair and selectively limit movement of the first adjustable jaw pair about the first transverse axis. 44. The articulation element of claim 35, wherein the first substantially concavely curved surface receives at least a part of the first adjustable jaw pair. 45. The articulation element of claim 35, wherein the first substantially curved surface is shaped to match at least a part of the first adjustable jaw pair. 46. The articulation element of claim 35, further comprising a first biasing member disposed to apply a biasing force that acts on the first adjustable jaw pair to bias jaws of the first adjustable jaw pair to a closed position. 47. The articulation element of claim 35, wherein the first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus is one of an external fixation bar and a bone pin. 48. The articulation element of claim 35, comprising a locking mechanism structurally configured to lock the relative orientation of said first first adjustable jaw pair to said second first adjustable jaw pair, the locking mechanism being configured to simultaneously restrict rotational motion about the longitudinal axis and restrict pivot motion of the first adjustable jaw pair about the first transverse pivot axis. 49. The articulation element of claim 48, wherein the locking mechanism is structurally configured to further restrict pivot motion of the second adjustable jaw pair about the second transverse pivot axis. 50. The articulation element of claim 35, wherein each adjustable jaw pair includes a curvate surface forming an inner surface of the adjustable jaw pair, the curvate surface comprising a tooth grip surface. 51. The articulation element of claim 35, wherein the rotational location on the longitudinal axis is disposed between and at equal distances from the first and second adjustable jaw pairs. 52. An external fixation system comprising: the articulation element of claim 35; a bone pin as the first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus; anda rigid rod as the second rigid element of the external fixation apparatus. 53. An articulation element for an external fixation apparatus for treating a patient, the element having a longitudinal axis, said element comprising: a first adjustable jaw pair configured to apply clamping pressure to capture a first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus;a second adjustable jaw pair configured to apply clamping pressure to capture a second rigid element of the external fixation apparatus; anda coupling mechanism disposed between the first and second jaw pairs so as to allow the first jaw pair to rotate relative to the second jaw pair about the longitudinal axis, the coupling mechanism being disposed at a first location on the longitudinal axis and comprising a first component having a first substantially curved concave surface and a second component having a second substantially curved concave surface,wherein the first and second components are independent of and disposed between the first and second adjustable jaw pairs and are pivotable relative to each other about the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first and second adjustable jaw pairs are pivotable relative to the respective first and second components,the first adjustable jaw pair disposed so as to pivot about a constrained first transverse pivot axis, the first transverse pivot axis being displaced from the first location in a first direction along the longitudinal axis,the second adjustable jaw pair disposed so as to pivot about a constrained second transverse pivot axis, the second transverse pivot axis being displaced from the first location in a second direction different than the first direction,wherein the substantially curved concave surfaces are each configured to engage against a respective one of the first and second adjustable jaw pairs and selectively limit movement of the first adjustable jaw pair and the second adjustable jaw pair about the respective first and second transverse pivot axes. 54. The articulation element of claim 53, comprising a locking mechanism structurally configured to lock the relative orientation of said first adjustable jaw pair to said second adjustable jaw pair. 55. The articulation element of claim 53, wherein the first transverse pivot axis intersects the longitudinal axis. 56. The articulation element of claim 55, wherein the second transverse pivot axis intersects the longitudinal axis. 57. The articulation element of claim 53, wherein the first component comprises a first substantially flat surface facing the second component. 58. The articulation element of claim 57, wherein the first substantially flat surface comprises impressions configured to aid in preventing relative movement of the first component and the second component. 59. The articulation element of claim 53, wherein the first substantially curved concave surface is a spherical surface. 60. An articulation element for an external fixation apparatus for treating a patient, the element having a longitudinal axis, said element comprising: a first adjustable jaw pair configured to apply clamping pressure to capture a first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus;a second adjustable jaw pair configured to apply clamping pressure to capture at least one additional rigid element of the external fixation apparatus; anda coupling mechanism disposed between the first and second jaw pairs so as to allow the first jaw pair to rotate relative to the second jaw pair about the longitudinal axis, the coupling mechanism being disposed at a first location on the longitudinal axis and comprising a component having a first substantially curved concave surface,wherein the component is independent of and disposed between the first and second adjustable jaw pairs and is pivotable relative to the second jaw pair about the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first adjustable jaw pair is pivotable relative to the component about a constrained transverse pivot axis, the transverse pivot axis being displaced from the first location along the longitudinal axis in a direction away from the second adjustable jaw pair,wherein the substantially curved concave surface is configured to engage against the first adjustable jaw pair and selectively limit movement of the first adjustable jaw pair about the transverse pivot axis. 61. The articulation element of claim 60, wherein the component is a first component, and wherein the coupling mechanism further comprises a second component having a second substantially curved concave surface, wherein the second component is independent of and disposed between the first and second adjustable jaw pairs and is pivotable relative to the first jaw pair about the longitudinal axis, and wherein the second adjustable jaw pair is pivotable relative to the second component about a second transverse pivot axis, the second transverse pivot axis being displaced from the first location along the longitudinal axis in a direction away from the first adjustable jaw pair,wherein the second substantially curved concave surface is configured to engage against the second adjustable jaw pair and selectively limit movement of the second adjustable jaw pair about the transverse pivot axis.
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