Abstract: A connecting rod for an external fixation device may include a telescopic housing having an axial bore, an inner sleeve slidably disposed within the axial bore of the telescopic housing, a fastener operable to releasably couple the inner sleeve and the telescopic housing, an elongated member coupled to the inner sleeve, and two joints. One joint may be coupled to a proximal end of the telescopic housing, and include a rotatable member and a connecting member coupled to the rotatable member, such that the connecting member is operable to receive a connecting element from an external fixation ring. The other joint may be coupled to a distal end of the elongated member, and include a rotatable member and a connecting member coupled to the rotatable member. Each joint may also include a rotatable member housing with one or more sidewall grooves that limit rotation of the respective rotatable members.

Abstract: Walking skates system removably coupled underneath a bottom half-ring of an external ring fixation system comprising a pair of skates, each skate of the pair of skates having a curved bottom profile from which a protruding connection body provided with at least one slot projects, the system further comprising a connecting member having a first end configured to be connected to an opening in the bottom half-ring of the external ring fixation system and a second end provided with a hole for connection to the slot in the connection body of the skate.

Abstract: A dynamization device may comprise a sleeve, a shaft, a dial, a contact feature, and a biasing member. The shaft may comprise an interior section partially within an inner recess of the sleeve; a flat surface on the interior section of the shaft; and a plurality of external threads on the interior section of the shaft. The dial may comprise a body disposed partially within the inner recess; an annular lip; and internal threads secured to external threads of the shaft. The contact feature has an annular geometry disposed within the inner recess of the sleeve. The biasing member may be disposed around the interior section of the shaft, and disposed between the contact feature and a shoulder within the inner recess of the sleeve. Rotation of the annular lip may provide for compressive movement of the biasing member relative to the sleeve and shaft.

Abstract: A connecting rod for an external fixation device may include a telescopic housing having an axial bore, an inner sleeve slidably disposed within the axial bore of the telescopic housing, a fastener operable to releasably couple the inner sleeve and the telescopic housing, an elongated member coupled to the inner sleeve, and two joints. One joint may be coupled to a proximal end of the telescopic housing, and include a rotatable member and a connecting member coupled to the rotatable member, such that the connecting member is operable to receive a connecting element from an external fixation ring. The other joint may be coupled to a distal end of the elongated member, and include a rotatable member and a connecting member coupled to the rotatable member. Each joint may also include a rotatable member housing with one or more sidewall grooves that limit rotation of the respective rotatable members.

Abstract: A device, kit, and method for the treatment of anatomical joint dysfunctions, and more particularly, to a spring hinge comprising: a primary coil spring having a helical structure with a central cavity, wherein the primary coil spring forms a plurality of spirals layered against one another when the primary coil spring is in an unexpanded state; wherein the primary coil spring comprises surfaces that are configured to nest against each other to resist translational or shearing movement between adjoining spiral layers.

Abstract: Dynamization devices and methods of use are provided. A dynamization device may comprise first and second modules that are mated together in a substantially cylindrical shape. The outer surface of the first and second modules are connected to deformable rings that may be deformed when a longitudinal force is applied to the first and second modules. The deformation of the rings creates a longitudinal mechanical bias in the device to return it to its original shape. The strength, spring coefficient, and size of the dynamization device can be adjusted depending upon the particular needs of the application.

Abstract: Dynamization struts and methods of use are provided. A dynamization strut may comprise a sleeve, a shaft, a biasing member, and a bushing. The sleeve may comprise an inner recess with a first and second section. The shaft may comprise an interior section to be disposed within the inner recess of the sleeve. The biasing member may be disposed around the interior section of the shaft, and sized to fit within the first section of the inner recess of the sleeve. The bushing may be secured against a portion of the shaft. Rotation of the bushing may provide for compressive movement of the biasing member relative to the sleeve and shaft. Compression of the biasing member may occur without a corresponding change in a total length of the dynamization strut. Rather, changes in the length of the strut may occur as a result of external compressive forces acting upon it.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an external fixation apparatus comprising a strut having a longitudinal axis defined therein, the strut comprising a strut housing having a housing adjustment aperture, an adjustment sleeve slidably disposed within the strut housing, and a fastener that releasably couples the strut housing with the adjustment sleeve. An embodiment of the adjustment sleeve comprises a first and a second bore extending from a top towards a bottom surface of the adjustment sleeve, a first sleeve member with a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial bore, and a second sleeve member adjoining the first sleeve member. In an embodiment, the second sleeve member comprises a body and a beveled end that is slidably disposed within the axial bore of the first sleeve member. The adjustment sleeve further comprises a biasing mechanism between the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member.

Abstract: A dynamization device may comprise a sleeve, a shaft, a dial, a contact feature, and a biasing member. The shaft may comprise an interior section partially within an inner recess of the sleeve; a flat surface on the interior section of the shaft; and a plurality of external threads on the interior section of the shaft. The dial may comprise a body disposed partially within the inner recess; an annular lip; and internal threads secured to external threads of the shaft. The contact feature has an annular geometry disposed within the inner recess of the sleeve. The biasing member may be disposed around the interior section of the shaft, and disposed between the contact feature and a shoulder within the inner recess of the sleeve. Rotation of the annular lip may provide for compressive movement of the biasing member relative to the sleeve and shaft.

Abstract: A radiography aid and method of using the same comprising: attaching a radiographic reference device to the external fixation device, the radiographic reference device comprises at least two surfaces; positioning the first surface of the radiographic reference device on an imager surface to capture a first radiographic image of the external fixation device and the one or more objects; repositioning the external fixation device to position the second surface of the radiographic reference device on the imager surface to capture a second radiographic image of the external fixation device and the one or more objects that differs in position from the first radiographic image by the first angle; and calculating the position of the one or more objects in three dimensions.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an external fixator ring that includes a central opening, inner and outer ring surfaces and upper and lower ring surfaces. In some embodiments, one or more apertures are defined in the inner or outer surface for receiving securing devices. The apertures in the inner or outer surface are adapted to provide rigid attachment for connection struts while allowing for a range of motion between the interconnected rings. In some other embodiments, the external fixator ring further comprises angled flanges extending radially from the inner or outer surface. The angle flanges each include a mounting surface, apertures are defined in the mounting surface of the angle flanges for receiving securing devices.

Abstract: Dynamization struts and methods of use are provided. A dynamization strut may comprise a sleeve, a shaft, a biasing member, and a bushing. The sleeve may comprise an inner recess with a first and second section. The shaft may comprise an interior section to be disposed within the inner recess of the sleeve. The biasing member may be disposed around the interior section of the shaft, and sized to fit within the first section of the inner recess of the sleeve. The bushing may be secured against a portion of the shaft. Rotation of the bushing may provide for compressive movement of the biasing member relative to the sleeve and shaft. Compression of the biasing member may occur without a corresponding change in a total length of the dynamization strut. Rather, changes in the length of the strut may occur as a result of external compressive forces acting upon it.

Abstract: Dynamization struts and methods of use are provided. A dynamization strut may comprise a sleeve, a shaft, a biasing member, and a bushing. The sleeve may comprise an inner recess with a first and second section. The shaft may comprise an interior section to be disposed within the inner recess of the sleeve. The biasing member may be disposed around the interior section of the shaft, and sized to fit within the first section of the inner recess of the sleeve. The bushing may be secured against a portion of the shaft. Rotation of the bushing may provide for compressive movement of the biasing member relative to the sleeve and shaft. Compression of the biasing member may occur without a corresponding change in a total length of the dynamization strut. Rather, changes in the length of the strut may occur as a result of external compressive forces acting upon it.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an external fixation strut for an external fixation device having a ball joints that can be attached to the outer or inner surface of the ring and locked to increase overall stability of the external fixation device. Some embodiments of the fixation strut include a first ball joint coupled to a first end portion of a strut housing, the strut housing having an axial bore defined therethrough. A second ball joint is coupled to a second end portion of an elongated member. The elongated member is coupled to an adjustment mechanism, which is coupled to an upper end portion of an adjustment sleeve. The adjustment sleeve is slidably disposed in the axial bore of the strut housing, and is used to effect coarse strut length adjustments. Gradual strut adjustments are effected by translating the elongated member.

Abstract: A collapsible fixator system comprising a first frame member and a second frame member and at least one strut. Each frame member comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of apertures extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. Each of the at least one struts comprises first and second strut connectors, such that the first and the second strut connectors are operable to releasably connect the strut to the first frame member and the second frame member. When the first and second strut connectors are in a first, collapsed position, the strut is releasably positioned substantially parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of the first and second frame members. When the first and second strut connectors are in a second, erect position, the strut may be fixedly positioned such that the first and second frame members are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an external fixation apparatus comprising a strut having a longitudinal axis defined therein, the strut comprising a strut housing having a housing adjustment aperture, an adjustment sleeve slidably disposed within the strut housing, and a fastener that releasably couples the strut housing with the adjustment sleeve. An embodiment of the adjustment sleeve comprises a first and a second bore extending from a top towards a bottom surface of the adjustment sleeve, a first sleeve member with a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial bore, and a second sleeve member adjoining the first sleeve member. In an embodiment, the second sleeve member comprises a body and a beveled end that is slidably disposed within the axial bore of the first sleeve member. The adjustment sleeve further comprises a biasing mechanism between the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A wire tensioner tip for use with a wire fixation bolt. First and second wires may be anchored to and tensioned across an external fixator frame with first and second wire tensioners. The first and second wires may be anchored at first anchor locations with first and second wire fixation bolts. First and second wire tensioner tips may engage with third and fourth wire fixation bolts, thereby preventing the third and fourth wire fixation bolts from rotating. The first and second wires may be tensioned to a desired tension with the first and second wire tensioners at the same time to prevent over-tensioning or under-tensioning. The first and second wires may be anchored at second anchor locations with third and fourth wire fixation bolts. By engaging the wire fixator bolts with the wire tensioning tips, fewer tools are required and one medical professional can tension two wires at once.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an external fixator ring that includes a central opening, inner and outer ring surfaces and upper and lower ring surfaces. In some embodiments, one or more apertures are defined in the inner or outer surface for receiving securing devices. The apertures in the inner or outer surface are adapted to provide rigid attachment for connection struts while allowing for a range of motion between the interconnected rings. In some other embodiments, the external fixator ring further comprises angled flanges extending radially from the inner or outer surface. The angle flanges each include a mounting surface, apertures are defined in the mounting surface of the angle flanges for receiving securing devices.

Abstract: An external fixation connection rod that allows for rapid and gradual length adjustment. In some embodiments, the fixation connection rod includes an inner sleeve received within a telescopic rod to allow for rapid adjustment of an overall length of the fixation connection rod. In some embodiments, the fixation connection rod includes an adjustment mechanism to allow for gradual adjustment of the overall length of the fixation connection rod by lengthening or shortening a threaded elongated member within the inner sleeve, and the adjustment mechanism includes a first rotation member, a second rotation member, and a spring. Distal translation of the first rotation member relative to the second rotation member allows the adjustment mechanism to move from a first, locked position to a second, unlocked position, allowing the first rotation member and the second rotation member to rotate about the inner sleeve and the threaded elongated member during gradual adjustment.