FAST ADJUST EXTERNAL FIXATION CONNECTION ROD

摘要

The present disclosure provides various embodiments of an external fixation connection rod having articulatable joints that can be attached to external supports, such as rings. In some embodiments, the fixation connection rod includes a telescopic rod and connecting mechanisms for coupling the joints of the connection rod to the external supports. and the connecting mechanisms are operable to substantially lock the orientation of the joints. In some other embodiments, the connection rod includes a housing having parallel axial bores defined therethrough and sleeves slidably disposed in the axial bores. Also included in the present disclosure are methods of maintaining the orientation of first and second fixator rings for immobilizing bone segments.

主权项

1. A method of maintaining the orientation of first and second rings for immobilizing bone segments, comprising:
providing a connecting rod having a longitudinal axis and comprising:
a telescopic housing comprising an axial bore defined therethrough;an adjustment sleeve slidably disposed within the axial bore, the adjustment sleeve and the telescopic housing being releasably coupled by a fastener; andan elongated member coupled to the adjustment sleeve;wherein a first joint is coupled to an end portion of the housing, and a first rotating member is received in the first joint, and further wherein the first rotating member comprises a first connection mechanism operable to releasably couple the first rotating member to the first ring and substantially limit the rotational movement of the first rotating member; andwherein a second joint is coupled to an end portion of the elongated member, and a second rotating member is received in the second joint, and further wherein the second rotating member comprises a second connection mechanism operable to releasably couple the second rotating member to the second ring and substantially limit the rotational movement of the second rotating member; adjusting the longitudinal position of the adjustment sleeve relative to the telescopic housing, thereby rotating the first and second rotating members about first and second axes, respectively, wherein the first and second axes are both orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod; releasably coupling the adjustment sleeve to the telescopic housing using a sleeve fastener; using the first connection mechanism to releasably couple the first rotating member to the first ring and substantially limit the rotational movement of the first rotating member; and using the second connection mechanism to releasably couple the second rotating member to the second ring and substantially limit the rotational movement of the second rotating member; wherein at least one of the first and second rotating members comprises a slot, the respective connection mechanism is operable to releasably couple the respective rotating member to the respective fixator ring using a fastener passing through the slot and coupled to the respective rotating member, and the cooperation of the slot and the fastener limit the rotation of the respective rotating member.