Multi-purpose external fixator

摘要

A multi-purpose external fixator (1) comprises at least one screw (2) to be implanted in a bone fragment (3) and a frame (7), in turn comprising at least one clamp (8) and at least one bar (9); the clamp (8) comprising a central body (11), in which a slot (12) is made for connection to the screw (2), an element (13) for locking the screw (2) in the slot (12) and a lever (14) for operating the locking element (13); the lever (14) is hinged to the central body (11) and can move away from and towards an end position for engagement of the locking element (13) and stable connection of the screw (2) to the slot (12); in the end position the lever (14) and the screw (2) are positioned in a T-shaped configuration relative to each other, in which the lever (14) forms a grip for implanting the screw (2) in the bone fragment.

主权项

1. A multi-purpose external fixator, comprising:
at least one screw for implantation in a bone fragment; and a frame having at least one damp and at least one interconnecting bar; the damp comprising:
a central body, having a first slot for receiving the screw;a locking element for locking the screw in the first slot, the central body being movably connected to the locking element such that the screw positioned in the first slot is movable between a position of locking engagement with the locking element and a position of locking disengagement with the locking element, at least one chosen from the locking element and the central body comprising a second slot for receiving the at least one interconnecting bar; anda lever for operating the locking element; the lever having a hinge portion being hinged to one chosen from the central body and the looking element, the lever including a cam for engaging an other of the central body and the locking element, the lever movable from and towards a locked position whereby the central body is caused to move with respect to the locking element by the action of the cam on the other of the central body and the locking element to create a force path between the cam and the hinge portion that transfers force between the central body and the locking element via engagement of the screw between the central body and the locking element to lock the screw to the first slot independently of whether the at least one interconnecting bar is positioned in the second slot; in the locked position, the lever and the screw being positioned in a configuration relative to each other, in which the lever forms a grip for implanting the screw in the bone fragment; wherein when the at least one interconnecting bar is positioned in the second slot, the force path between the cam and the hinge portion that locks the screw to the first slot also causes the second slot to lock the at least one interconnecting bar simultaneously with locking the screw to the first slot, the lever acting on the at least one interconnecting bar substantively enough to lock the at least one interconnecting bar only via the force path between the cam and the hinge portion; wherein the lever comprises a first end which is hinged to the central body, a second, free end, opposite the first end, and a screw locking portion positioned between the first and second free ends, the screw locking portion including a shape impediment for engaging a counterpart locking portion of the screw to prevent relative rotation between the lever and the screw, the shape impediment at least partially surrounding and engaging the counterpart locking portion of the screw as the lever is moved to the locked position and disengaging the counterpart locking portion of the screw as the lever is moved to an unlocked position where the lever is positioned free of the screw and the screw is in the position of locking disengagement with the locking element.