Fracture reduction device

Details Fracture reduction device Fracture reduction device

2000-03-27

2001-12-11

Robert, Eduardo C. (Department: 3732)

Surgery

Instruments

Orthopedic instrumentation

Reexamination Certificate

active

06328737

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fracture reduction devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of techniques are known for holding together the parts of a fractured bone while healing takes place. One such technique is external fixation, in which pins are inserted into the bone on each side of the fracture point, and which are then connected to a frame by adjustable clamps. The clamps can then be tightened to hold the parts of the bone fixed with respect to each other.
However, before such fixation can take place, the fracture must be reduced so that the bone fragments are in the correct positions for fixation and healing.
Previously considered reduction devices allow such reduction to be controlled, but are inconvenient since it is not simple to control a single degree of freedom of movement independently of the other degrees of freedom.
It is desirable to provide a fracture reduction apparatus in which controlled vector separation can be easily and simply achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a fracture reduction device comprising linear adjustment means and angular adjustment means for reducing a fractured bone, the adjustment means allowing stable incremental adjustments to be made to the bone position and/or orientation, the adjustment means comprising:
a substantially rigid support structure;
first and second loading supports attached to the support structure for attachment to first and second portions of a fractured limb about a fracture site, the loading supports being arranged such that the limb can be subjected to a longitudinal distractive force by means of the loading supports; and
first and second bone supports for supporting first and second portions of a fractured bone about the fracture site;
one of the first and second loading supports being rotatable with respect to the other loading support about two mutually perpendicular axes;
at least one of the first and second bone supports being movable in two linear directions perpendicular to one another and to the longitudinal direction of the bone; and
wherein adjustment of the positions of the loading and bone supports allows stable incremental adjustments to be made to the bone position and/or orientation.
The provision of adjustment means which allow incremental adjustment to be made enables a fractured bone to undergo gradual vector separation in order to improve the healing process. Such incremental adjusters are preferably screw-threaded, but could be provided by some suitable alternative.
Once reduction is complete, a bone fixator may be fitted and the reduction device removed.


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