Abstract: A pin clamp particularly adapted for use in an external skeletal fixation device to clamp pins inserted in the distal segment and/or proximal segment of a fractured bone for positioning and immobilizing the bone segments to reduce the fracture. The pin clamp employs a wedge lock construction including a block having a tapered, hollow interior which receives a wedge element having opposed, tapered sidewalls connected to a slotted top wall. The pins are inserted between the sidewalls of the wedge element into the slot, and are clamped therebetween as the wedge element is moved into the block. A screw carried by the block threads into a bore in the top wall of the wedge element to move the wedge element in and out of the block. Both the block and wedge element are formed of a composite material and the sidewalls of the wedge element which contact the pins are preferably coated with a grit material having a high coefficient of friction.

Abstract: An external fixation device for the reduction of severely compounded or infected long bone fractures with substantial soft tissue involvement comprises at least two sets of retaining pins, each set including at least one retaining pin adapted to secure the bone portion distally or proximally of the fracture, a frame having a center section disposed between spaced end sections, and a pair of coupling elements mounted to the end sections of the frame each connecting one set of retaining pins to the frame. One of the coupling elements is adapted to move longitudinally, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame so as to properly position and secure one set of retaining pins and the bone portion connected thereto. The other coupling element is connected to a second set of retaining pins and is adapted to translate and pivot such pins, and the bone portion attached thereto, about three mutually orthogonal axes independently of the first coupling element.