Surgery – Instruments – Orthopedic instrumentation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-21
2001-08-21
Smith, Jeffrey A. (Department: 3732)
Surgery
Instruments
Orthopedic instrumentation
C606S056000, C606S059000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06277119
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an orthopedic surgical procedure, and more particularly to an external fixation system for bones.
2. Description of the Related Art
In various orthopedic surgical procedures, it is often necessary to secure two or more portions of bone in a relatively fixed relationship to each other. This need is often a result of a fracture which has occurred to the bone. To ensure that the bone can properly regenerate and fuse the fractures of the bone, it is important that the various bone portions be fixed at the desired position during bone regeneration.
Various external fixation devices for the repair of traumatized bone are known. For example, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,442 to Bailey et al. discloses an apparatus for the external fixation of small bones. The apparatus is illustrated to include a bone screw clamp for receiving a first bone screw which is connected to a first bone portion. The external fixator further includes a bone screw clamp which is operable to receive a second bone screw connected to the second bone portion. The first and second bone screw clamps include a spherical portion. The external fixator further includes a connection member for securing the spherical portions of the bone screw clamps. The connection member defines a radiographic window to permit radiographic examination of the bone fracture without removing the apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,442 is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
While known fixators, including the type described above, have proven to be effective in fixating bones, they nevertheless can be the subject of certain improvements. In this regard, conventional external fixation devices often do not provide the flexibility required for particular applications. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide an external fixation system with a plurality of interchangeable and distinct components which allow for a greater degree of surgeon flexibility in producing a desired construction.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, the invention relates to an external fixation system operable for securing two portions of bone in a fixed relationship to each other including various interchangeable components which can be selected by a surgeon.
An advantage of the present invention is to provide an external fixation system for bones and a related method that permit independent placement of bone pins at various positions and angular orientations along a bone.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an external fixation system for bones and a related method that incorporate a universal base clamp which can be placed any free space along a support rod without requiring the removal of other elements that may be secured to the support rod.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an external fixation system for bones and a related method that include a compression/distraction arrangement for relatively translating a pair of spaced apart support rods.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an external fixation system for bones and a related method that include a telescoping bone screw clamp that allows a surgeon to displace a bone pin from a support rod.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an external fixation system for bones and a related method that include a plurality of distinct components including cooperating serrated portions for facilitating interconnection between the components.
A related advantage of the present invention is to provide an external fixation system for bones and a related method that include a plurality of distinct components each including one of a cylindrical rod and a rod receiving portion to facilitate interconnection between the components and a cylindrical support rod.
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Howmedica, Inc. manual entitled “External Fixation of a Complex Femoral Fracture, Frame Construction Manual”, copyright 1981, 24 pages.
Howmedica brochure entitled “Howmedica Trauma Simple Solutions”, copyright 1998, 26 pages.
Synthes brochure entitled “The AO/ASIF Hybrid Fixator Technique Guide”, copyright 1995, 25 pages.
Bailey Kirk J.
Curry Sean P.
Mahaffey John Scott
Walulik Stephen B.
Electro-Biology, Inc.
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
Smith Jeffrey A.
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