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.

Abstract: An adjustment tool for an external fixator comprises a fitting element for holding fast a clamping assembly of the external fixator. A positioning clamp is provided for fixing the adjustment tool on a rod of the external fixator near the clamping assembly. A connecting element is attached to the fitting element and the positioning clamp is adapted to move the fitting element towards to or away from the positioning clamp. The fitting element comprises a blocking sleeve adapted to push the uppermost jaw of the clamping assembly in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the clamping assembly to block the second upper most jaw against an abutment portion of the fitting element. The tool further comprises an actuation element within the blocking sleeve to actuate the locking element of the clamping assembly for releasing the rod within the clamping assembly without releasing the bone pin.

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 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: A clamping pin is provided for mounting in an opening of a medical device. The clamping pin comprises an axially extending screw, a first clamping element having a surface inclined to a longitudinal screw axis and provides a first part of a clamping section. A second clamping element has a surface inclined to the longitudinal axis and provides a second part of the clamping section which is complementary to the opening in the medical device. The inclined surfaces of the first and second clamping elements contact. A screw extends at least partly through both the first and second clamping elements. The screw engages one of the clamping elements such that the axial distance between the two clamping elements and the diameter of the clamping section that can come in contact with a surface of the opening in the medical device will be changed upon actuation of the screw.

Abstract: An external fixation component includes two capture members adapted to capture independently a first and a second element of an external fixation system. A rotation member is provided between the two capture members, coupled to both capture members such that the coupling allows the two capture members to rotate about three axes relative to each other. Each capture member comprises a central locking screw extending therethrough and defining a longitudinal axis of the associated capture member. The rotation member comprises two rotation blockers, each blocker providing one interface surface adapted to be in contact with a complementary interface surface of one of the capture members, each blocker further provides a surface opposite to the interface surface comprising an inner cylindrical surface. The rotation member comprises a central disc element forming a rolling surface as complementary surface to the inner cylindrical surface of the corresponding rotation blocker.

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 targeting system for a bone plate having a bore therethrough with a first thread adjacent an outer surface of the bone plate and a second thread adjacent a bone contacting surface. The first thread has a larger diameter than the second thread. A targeting device has a coupling portion, an outer sleeve with an axial through bore for guiding a boring tool and a bone screw into the bone plate bore. The coupling portion is connected to a first end of the outer sleeve, wherein the coupling portion comprises an exterior threaded portion threadably engageable with the first thread of the bone plate bore and has a through bore having an axis corresponding to the axis of the through bore of the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve and coupling portion comprises two collapsible slits extending parallel to the outer sleeve bore axis dividing the coupling portion in two parts.

Abstract: An implantable orthopedic device having a load-bearing element, such as a bone plate, with at least one opening for a fixation element and one insert which can be inserted in an inclined opening in a receptacle in the bore. This insert has an external form that is at least partially complementary to the internal form of the receptacle and a central through-bore for receiving the body of the fixation element such as a bone screw. The insert also provides a locking system for holding the insert in the receptacle, in which the insert exhibits at least one locking mechanism with which conformal locking with the load-bearing element may be achieved.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench for use in connection with medical instruments comprises a handle and a drive element which is rotatable around an axis (M) with respect to the handle. The wrench is adapted to tighten or loosen a respective element and a ratchet mechanism which is in connection with the drive element and which permits movement with respect to the handle in a first direction of rotation (R1) and blocks movement in the other direction of rotation (R2). The handle comprises a flat arm, wherein the ratchet mechanism is arranged on a bearing surface of the flat arm, and wherein the drive element extends through an opening in the flat arm in which opening the drive element is rotatably arranged.

Abstract: A bolt is adapted to clamp a pin to an external fixator system. The bolt includes a shaft having a threaded section, a head section and a pin opening that is arranged opposite the threaded section and accommodates and clamps a pin or a wire to a plate or ring of an external fixator. The plate comprises at least one opening which accommodates the shaft and a surface against which the pin or the wire is clamped by the bolt. The pin opening comprises at least two edges extending essentially along the same direction as the pin opening such that the pin or wire to be clamped is contact with said edges.

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: A clamping pin is intended to be inserted into and held in an opening of a medical device. The clamping pin comprises a screw having a longitudinal axis, a first clamping element having a surface inclined to the longitudinal axis and provides a first part of a clamping section. A second clamping element has a surface inclined to the longitudinal axis and provides a second part of the clamping section which is complementary to the opening in the medical device. The inclined surfaces of the first and second clamping elements are in contact. A screw extends at least partly through both the first and second clamping elements. The screw engages in one of the clamping elements such that the axial distance between the two clamping elements and the diameter of the clamping section that can come in contact with a surface of the opening in the medical device will be changed upon actuation of the screw.

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 orthopedic fixation ring for an external fixator has a ring or a ring-segment extending around a center axis. The ring comprises a first surface running perpendicular to the center axis, a second surface which is parallel to the first surface, and a plurality of spaced apart through openings running parallel to the center axis and extending through the fixation plate. The fixation plate has at least a third surface which is parallel to the first surface spaced outwardly thereof with respect to the center axis. A further set of through openings extends from the first surface to the third surface. A fourth surface may be provided which is axially displaced from the second surface with respect to the center axis. The ring preferably is circular or part-circular and is molded from carbon fiber reinforced PEEK.

Abstract: A ball joint for use with an external fixator has a sleeve in engagement with a rod of a strut for the external fixator. A ring insert and a blocking element are provided, having a combined circumferential surface being able to be introduced into a hole of a ring of an external fixator. The ring insert and blocking element have complementary wedge surfaces allowing a relative radial displacement therebetween to enlarge the diameter of the combined circumferential surface for blocking the ball joint inside the hole. Additionally the sleeve comprises a spherical hollow ball portion with concentrical inner and outer spherical portions, wherein the outer spherical portion engages a complementary spherical socket of the blocking element and wherein the inner spherical portion is engaged by a ball nut. A connection element extends through the sleeve, blocking element and ring insert, wherein a radial displacement and axial displacement of the ring insert and blocking element are activated by the connection element.

Abstract: A telescopic strut for use with an external fixator includes a tube and a rod, especially a threaded rod being in threaded engagement with the tube. The tube comprises at least one hole for accommodating a ball, the ball having the spherical shape for engagement with the threaded rod. A sleeve is provided on the portion of the tube comprising the hole. The sleeve comprises a non-spherical inner cross-section. The greater diameter of the sleeve has a dimension which is at least the sum of the outer diameter of the threaded rod plus the diameter of an accommodating ball for allowing direct axial movement of the threaded rod against the tube in such a rotational position of the sleeve. The lesser diameter has a dimension to place the ball within the threaded rod for allowing a rotational movement of the threaded rod against the tube.

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 peaks with a curved shape.

Abstract: An orthopedic fixation ring for an external fixator has a ring or a ring-segment extending around a center axis. The ring comprises a first surface running perpendicular to the center axis, a second surface which is parallel to the first surface, and a plurality of spaced apart through openings running parallel to the center axis and extending through the fixation plate. The fixation plate has at least a third surface which is parallel to the first surface spaced outwardly thereof with respect to the center axis. A further set of through openings extends from the first surface to the third surface. A fourth surface may be provided which is axially displaced from the second surface with respect to the center axis. The ring preferably is circular or part-circular and is molded from carbon fiber reinforced PEEK.

Abstract: An easy to clean clamping device has at least one clamping assembly having two jaws. The jaws form at least one recess to accommodate an element to be clamped along the longitudinal axis of the recess. A locking unit is provided to allow closing of the jaws against the force of a spring element. The locking unit has a shaft extending along an axis and through bores of the jaws. The shaft has a head for operating the clamping action abutting against the uppermost jaw. A locking element is provided having a through bore and which locking element can be arranged between the head and the uppermost jaw. One portion of the locking unit has a larger diameter than the bore of the second jaw and the head of the locking unit has a smaller diameter than the bore of the adjacent jaw. The locking element comprises at least one locking surface which can be brought into positive locking with a corresponding surface of the head for blocking removal of the locking element.