Abstract: An external fixation frame for correcting a bone deformity includes a first fixation ring and a second fixation ring. A posterior adjustable length strut couples a posterior portion of the first fixation ring to a posterior portion of the second fixation ring and has universal joint. Medial and lateral adjustable length struts couples medial and lateral portions of the first fixation ring to medial and lateral portions of the second fixation ring respectively, each of the medial and lateral adjustable length struts including a constrained hinge joint. The fixation frame also includes a half ring hingedly coupled to the second fixation ring, and an anterior adjustable length strut coupling an anterior portion of the first fixation ring to the half ring.

Abstract: A fixation clamp, more particularly for use in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements, has at least one clamping assembly having at least one reception opening to accommodate a fixation element along the longitudinal axis of the reception opening. At least one locking element extends through the clamping assembly which locking element provides a clamping force to clamp the fixation element upon tensioning the locking element. The fixation clamp further comprises an actuation element which is in connection with the locking element such that the locking element is actuateable by means of the actuation element, and the actuation element is designed such that it is detachable from the locking element after use and that remounting onto the locking element is prevented after having detached the actuation element from the locking element.

Abstract: An external fixation system has a planar ring with an adjustable device having a body releasably mounted on the ring. The adjustable device includes a first member for movement in a direction generally perpendicular to the ring. A second member is mounted on the first member for movement in a direction parallel to a side wall of the planar ring. A method for treating a broken bone includes providing an external fixation system and inserting a first k-wire or half pin through a first piece of the bone and affixing the first k-wire or half pin to the ring, then inserting a second k-wire or half pin through a second piece of bone and affixing the second k-wire or half pin to the adjustable device. The pieces of bone are realigned, compressed, or distracted by adjusting at least one of the first and second adjustable members.

Abstract: A telescopic strut has an axially extending rod and a tube receiving the rod for varying the length of the strut along a longitudinal axis. The tube has first and second ends, the second end has a pin extending therethrough. A locking system is mounted on the tube first end for adjusting the position of the rod in the tube and fixing the length of the strut. A coupling element having a tubular sleeve with a threaded outer surface is mounted on an outer surface of the second end of the tube. The sleeve has two diametrically opposed slots receiving the pin and an adjustment element mounted on the sleeve outer surface for axial movement along the axis. The adjustment element has a surface contacting the pin to limit the movement of the pin in the slots.

Abstract: A surgical clamping device is provided for receiving distal ends of handles having bone attachment members disposed thereon in a recess disposed in the surgical clamping device. When an adjustment mechanism is in a first state, the distal ends of the handles are able to pivot and, optionally, to move axially within the recess of the surgical clamping device. When the adjustment mechanism is placed into a second state by adjusting the adjusting mechanism, the surgical clamping device applies a clamping force to the distal ends of the handles such that they are fixed within the recess of the surgical clamping device.

Abstract: An implant for use in orthopedic surgery for fixation of bone has a shaft region and a head region, both including a plurality of holes for receiving bone fasteners. The head region of the implant has a central screw hole and threaded surrounding screw holes surrounding the central screw hole in a defined configuration.

Abstract: An external fixation system and method for realigning, compressing or distracting broken bones has a planar ring element with an adjustable device having a body releasably mounted on the ring element. The adjustable device includes a first member for movement in a direction generally perpendicular to the ring element. A second member is pivotally connected to the first member for angular movement with respect to the ring. A third member is mounted on the second member for movement in a direction parallel to the second member and with respect to a circumference of the planar ring element. The method includes inserting k-wires into bone and affixing the k-wires to the ring element and affixing the k-wires to an adjustable device. The pieces of bone are realigned, compressed or distracted by adjusting at least one of a first and second members forming the device.

Abstract: A two-piece clamping element comprises two separate, i.e., non-integral, opposing first and second clamping jaws forming a laterally open cavity to receive a pin or rod-shaped element. Each clamping jaw has a bore aligned with one another to receive a screw, wherein a pivot bearing is arranged opposite said cavity allowing the two opposing clamping jaws to come in contact to one another. The pivot bearing comprises at least one set of complementary part-cylindrical bearing surface portions. An anti-rotation pin extends between the two jaw members.

Abstract: An external fixator system comprising at least two fixation plates which are arranged at a distance to each another, at least one adjustable length having a first end region and a second end region which are in connection with the fixation plates and at least one actuation unit to adjust the length of the strut in order to adjust the distance and/or orientation between the fixation plates. The actuation unit is in a fixed connection with at least one of the fixation plates as well as with at least one of the end regions of the respective strut in order to connect the strut with the fixation plate. The actuation unit comprises a feedback unit which provides the user with a feedback concerning the degree of the actuation.

Abstract: Described herein are external fixation systems for correcting bone deformities in adjacent bones or fragments thereof. The systems herein include first and second elongate rods that translate with respect to one another via rotation of an actuation member at an end of one of the rods. At least one housing is coupled along a length of one of the rods. The at least one housing includes at least one pin clamping member for clamping an end of a fixation pin therein. When the at least one pin clamping member is in an unlocked state, the fixation pin can rotate in polyaxial directions. When in a locked state, the angle of fixation wire with respect to the rods is set. The locked and unlocked state of the at least one pin clamping member is determined by the positing of a fixation member with respect to the housing it is coupled to.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are external fixation devices including at least an elongate rod, a housing and an actuation member. The housing is coupled to the elongate rod and the actuation member is rotatably coupled to the housing such that a central longitudinal axis of the actuation member is angled and offset with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the elongate rod. Rotation of an actuation portion of the actuation member about the central longitudinal axis thereof in a first radial direction causes the housing to translate along the central longitudinal axis of the elongate rod in a first direction.

Abstract: A fixation clamp for use in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements has at least one clamping assembly having a pair of jaws with at least two different size grooves to accommodate a bone fixation element such as a pin or rod. An alternate clamping assembly has at least three grooves wherein at least two of the grooves have a different size adapted to accommodate a correspondingly sized bone fixation element such as a bone pin. The longitudinal axes of the grooves define a polygon. The jaw pairs can be rotated about a central longitudinal axis to present different size reception cavities towards the pins or rocks depending on their diameter.

Abstract: A polymeric external fixator element, such as a rod or a pin or a clamp, has at least one contacting surface. At least one of the contacting surfaces of the element responsible to establish connection between the element and a different external fixator element is provided with a rough ablated structure. The clamping can be improved if one of the polymeric elements comprise fibers having fiber parts protruding above the surface.

Abstract: A fixation clamp for use in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements, has of at least one clamping assembly having at least one reception provided by means of grooves to accommodate a fixation element along the longitudinal axis of the reception. At least one locking element extends through the clamping assemblies for blocking the position of the clamping assemblies in a defined angular position. The clamping assembly comprises a first jaw and a second jaw which are in contact with each other via respective contact surfaces. The clamping assembly comprises at least two orientation devices that extend from and/or into said contact surfaces which at least two orientation devices serve to orient the first jaw with respect to the second jaw.

Abstract: A bone plate has a first frame portion with a plurality of apertures. The apertures may have central axes angled with respect to a bone contacting surface adjacent thereto at an angle of other than 90°. The plate has a second plate portion comprising a plurality of apertures therethrough and has a first end connected to the first plate portion. The plate has a third plate portion having first and second ends respectively connected to a second end of the second plate portion and to the first plate portion at a point thereon closer to a center of the first plate portion than the first end of the second plate portion to the first plate portion. The first, second and third plate portions having an arcuate shape capable of conforming to an arcuate bone surface, the bone contacting surface forming a concave portion of the arcuate shape.

Abstract: A bone fastener for use in orthopedic surgery for fixing an implant to bone has a threaded or unthreaded shaft configured to engage bone and a head having a thread on an outer surface to engage the implant. The thread on the head of the fastener has a profile in cross section that includes arcuate peaks with a flat on the outer surface of the peak.

Abstract: Coupling element for an external fixator which connects a pin or rod to a second pin or rod. The coupling element comprises a first coupling section to clamp the first pin or rod in engagement with a second clamp for clamping the second pin or rod and a pivoting section for adjusting the orientation of the first coupling section relative to the post section in the space. The pivoting section extends along a third axis. The first coupling section is rotatable around a first axis with respect to the pivoting section and wherein via the pivoting section the first coupling section is pivotable around a second axis with respect to the post section, wherein the second axis is arranged at an angle to the first axis.

Abstract: A locking peg includes a head and a shaft. The head is at the proximal end of the locking peg, and a shaft extends distally from the head to a distal end of the locking peg. The shaft has a threaded proximal portion and an unthreaded distal portion. A length of the unthreaded distal portion of the shaft is greater than a length of the threaded proximal portion of the shaft. When the locking peg is inserted into a bone through a bone plate, the threaded proximal portion of the shaft extends into the bone. This extended threading provides additional axial force to help explant the locking peg during removal of the locking peg.

Abstract: A fixation clamp, more particularly for use in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements, has at least one clamping assembly having at least one reception to accommodate a fixation element along the longitudinal axis of the reception and at least one locking element extending through the clamping assemblies for blocking the position of the clamping assemblies in a defined angular position. Between said locking element and said at least one clamping assembly there is arranged a washer. The clamping assembly comprises a first contact surface which is spherical and convex and in that said washer comprises a second contact surface which is spherical and concave, wherein the first contact surface is in contact with the second contact surface.