Surgery – Instruments – Orthopedic instrumentation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-21
2001-04-17
Hirsch, Paul J. (Department: 3732)
Surgery
Instruments
Orthopedic instrumentation
C606S054000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217577
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an outer fixing device for orthopedics and traumatology, in particular of a single-sided structure, for fixation of bone fractures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
It is known that several different outer fixing devices presently exist in the orthopedic and traumatological field for use in locking bone fragments to their correct position to enable callus formation.
Said fixing devices are apparatuses comprising a preferably tubular and telescopic bar and at least one turret-like support, also merely called turret due to its shape, emerging from the bar.
Usually two turrets are provided at least one of which is freely movable and can be freely positioned.
Turrets, by appropriate articulated joints and couplings, support surgical elements such as long and special surgical screws for example, that can be inserted by screwing into bone fragments to be held in a steady position.
Features that these apparatuses must possess are not only reliability and solidity, since any yielding or structural movement altering the established position is not admissible, but also versatility and simplicity in application.
Versatility is connected with the fact that apparatuses must adapt themselves to the most different situations, in particular because said surgical screws or in general said surgical elements must be arranged in all required directions and positions.
For the purpose, turrets must be made freely movable with respect to each other and to the telescopic bar and in addition said screws must be allowed to take various inclinations relative to the turrets supporting them.
Simplicity in application or use is important in order to avoid mounting errors and reduce operation times to a minimum in the operating theatre or the first aid station.
Reconciling these different requirements is in many instances difficult and it is pointed out in this connection that known outer fixing devices have some drawbacks.
In fact, in order to provide said turrets and surgical screws with various freedom degrees or movement and positioning directions, different technical solutions have been set up which are quite complicated and require difficult application operations.
In particular, the required time for steadily locking both turrets and said surgical elements is relatively high.
In fact it is necessary to intervene at many articulation points and tighten appropriate locking members, such. as nuts, screw heads or bolts, for example.
In this way not only time and skill are required, since all points are not in a convenient access position, but, in addition, locking of some pieces may be forgotten or intervention may not be constant and reliable at all points, which greatly affects steadiness of the outer fixing devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Under this situation, the technical task of the invention is to provide a fixing device capable of obviating the above drawbacks.
Within the scope of this technical task it is an important aim of the invention to provide a fixing device that, while being of ready locking, has full movement and positioning possibilities as regards turrets and surgical elements.
It is a further aim of the invention to provide a fixing device which is simple and also reliable and of reduced weight.
The aims specified are achieved by an outer fixing device for orthopedics and traumatology comprising: a bar defining a longitudinal axis, at least one turret-like support having an outer casing movably mounted on said bar, engagement means and relative drive means for fastening said outer casing to said bar, at least one articulated joint for supporting surgical elements, connected to said turret-like support and angularly movable relative to said outer casing, and engagement means and relative drive means for locking the angular position of said articulated joint, in order to secure said outer casing to said bar and lock the angular position of said articulated joint a single locking device being provided which comprises at least one cam movably supported by said outer casing and placed between said bar and said articulated joint and showing a forcing position at which said bar and said articulated joint are both locked by pressing and a single drive member active on said cam being provided for operating said locking device.
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patent: 4848368 (1989-07-01), Kronner
patent: 5019077 (1991-05-01), De Bastiani et al.
patent: 5160335 (1992-11-01), Wagenknecht
patent: 5601551 (1997-02-01), Taylor et al.
patent: 5788695 (1998-08-01), Richardson
patent: 5827282 (1998-10-01), Pennig
patent: 6001097 (1999-12-01), Campopiano et al.
Browdy and Neimark
Hirsch Paul J.
Medicalplastic S.r.L.
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