Abstract: A pin holder support is provided which is suitable for external bone fixation utilizing pins inserted into bone. The device comprises a clamp for gripping the bone pins a deflection member, and a jaw which positions the device along a fixation bar. The deflection member is situated between the clamp and the jaw and has on one face, a rotation means for cooperation with a complementary means of the clamp or of the jaw such that the combination ensures rotatability of the clamp with respect to the jaw and, on its opposite face, a curved guide means for cooperation with a complementary curved means of the other of the jaw or of the clamp, respectively, so as to ensure ability of the clamp to swivel with respect to the jaw.

Abstract: A skull distraction and monitoring apparatus and method includes multiple mini-fixation plates fixedly attached to a craniofacial skeleton of a rabbit on either side of the coronal suture. Tubular members are fixedly attached to the plates. A distraction portion of the apparatus is fixedly attached to the tubular members. The distraction portion includes jackscrew assemblies that traverse the coronal suture and span thereabove. When the jackscrew assemblies are turned, the distraction portion of the apparatus expands, distracting an anterior skull portion and facial portion of the rabbit from the remainder of the skull. The distraction portion also includes registration apertures that are adapted to cooperate with a skull positioning assembly for repeatedly holding a skull in a particular position so that the skull expansion may be accurately monitored. A method for surgically attaching the apparatus, expanding the skull and monitoring skull expansion is described.

Abstract: A prosthesis comprising two tubular brackets connected in sliding manner and securable by means of pins to the ends of the fractured bone. The two brackets are connected by means of a flexible cable the ends of which the connected by a cable tensioning device. The cable is guided by a series of circumferential grooves arranged alternately on the two brackets, and is tightened by the cable tensioning device in such a manner as to exert, between the two brackets and in one operation, a traction or compression force evenly distributed along the brackets.

Abstract: This dynamic external fixation device for the wrist comprises an articulated joint 10 arranged between assemblies 40 and 50 for fixation of groups of pins 60 and 70 inserted in the bone on either side of the articulation 80 whose axis is detected by means of targeting needles 90. The fixation assemblies 40 and 50 permit positioning of the fixation device in the plane of the arrows A and B, while an adjustment device 20 and a device 30 permitting play permit its inclination transversely relative to this plane, without disturbing the positioning previously obtained.

Abstract: A dynamic joint support having proximal and distal support sections and means for rigidly connecting each support section to bone and a pair of hinges connecting each support section to each other and pivoting at the joint to cause movement of the support section and its corresponding attached bone through the movements of flexion and extension. The hinge may be driven in its movement by a gear mechanism which may be disengaged by means of a clutch. The dynamic joint support may also include a distraction mechanism for movement of the bones out of contact in the joint, while allowing for an active range of motion at the joint.

Abstract: A dynamic joint support having proximal and distal support sections and means for rigidly connecting each support section to bone and a pair of hinges connecting each support section to each other and pivoting at the joint to cause movement of the support section and its corresponding attached bone through the movements of flexion and extension. The hinge may be driven in its movement by a gear mechanism which may be disengaged by means of a clutch. The dynamic joint support may also include a distraction mechanism for movement of the bones out of contact in the joint, while allowing for an active range of motion at the joint.

Abstract: An arcuate cradle element for use in an external fixation device is generally in the shape of a partial or full circular toroid whose transverse cross-section comprises two opposed and symmetrical polygonal portions, joined by a web serving to connect and space apart the polygons. The polygonal portions are preferably triangular portions. Two of the arcuate cradle elements of unequal length may be combined to form a full circle.

Abstract: A fracture reducing apparatus for achieving and maintaining fracture reduction having three side arms which are threadedly connected to two main arms. A knob pivotally connects the two main arms and maintains their relative position with respect to one another. The side arms of the apparatus distribute the surgeon's manipulating force to three points along the surface of the fractured limb and when the reduction is achieved, the knob is tightened to maintain the reduction, thus freeing surgeon's hands to apply the fixation, or to completely move out of the field of x-ray exposure.

Abstract: Distraction apparatus for maintaining fractured joints during healing, comprising a pair of pins (10) for insertion into bone at positions proximal to and distal to an injured joint, and a pair of stainless steel wire springs (15) which are adjustably attached to the pins to determine and resiliently maintain the relative spacing of the pin insertions into the bone thus to retain the components of the joint during the healing process.

Abstract: In a distraction apparatus for plastic reconstruction of hand, having a proximal support made as a cramp-shaped plate carrying two fixing pins, a distal support carrying distraction pins, and two distraction threaded rods on which the proximal support and the distal support are fitted, according to the invention, the fixing pins are arranged in a plane square with the planes of the cramp-shaped plate, while the distal support is made as a bar having perforations, wherein additional distraction threaded rods are fitted, the distraction pins being held with their distal ends to the proximal ends of the additional distraction threaded rods.

Abstract: A system and related method for ankle arthroscopy distraction includes both non-invasive external and invasive skeletal distractors which may be individually applied in a serial manner to provide ever increasing distraction forces as may be dictated by the required arthroscopic procedure. The angle of the distracted ankle may be selectively varied at anytime during any of the non-invasive or invasive distraction techniques without the need to halt the procedure, thereby obviating the need to reprep or to reposition or redrape the patient. The non-invasive distractor is of relatively simple and compact construction and is easily repositionable with changes in the angle of the ankle to allow ready and complete access for all surgical procedures.

Abstract: An improved four-legged distractor with multiplanar adjustability facilitates intervertebral bone grafting. The legs are slidably fixed to a rectangular frame so that the space between opposing legs and the space between adjacent legs may be varied. The bottom portion of each leg is offset so that a large space is created between the top portion of the legs to permit easy access to the operating space.

Abstract: Extrafocal fixing apparatus for transosteal syndesis of strains and compressions in orthopedics and traumatology which includes rectilinear and curved rod-like elements which can be coupled to one another through clamps which define seats for the removable accommodation of the rod-like elements to be mutually secured. The clamps have a single securing element which acts on the rod-like elements arranged in the seats. Mandrels are furthermore provided for supporting tensioned wires and supporting bars and are removably accommodatable in the seats of the clamps and can be secured through the securing elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an external splint which is particularly suitable for application to the pelvis, comprisng a central body consisting of a plurality of members which can be connected together telescopically and do not rotate with respect to each other about their own axes, two screw holding clamps anchored with ball joints to the free ends of the central body and a removable contractor/extender device. An articulated member 22-23, 22-47-23 or 22-50-51-23 consisting of two or more parts can be inserted between parts 20, 21 of the central body allowing the said parts 20, 21 to rotate in a single plane containing the longitudinal axes of parts 20, 21 and at right angles to the plane passing through axes 25, 26 of the seats for the pins of the contractor/extender device. This rotation takes place around at least one of the pivot pins 24 which couples together the parts of the said articulated member.

Abstract: A device for promoting the healing of bones has a pair of elongated carriers which support screws to be anchored in bone structure. The screws are movable longitudinally of the carriers by means of spindles. The carriers are joined to one another by a connector consisting of a rigid rod having a ball at either end. The balls are received in part-spherical sockets formed in the respective carriers and can be fixed relative to the carriers via screws.

Abstract: In a distraction apparatus for osteosynthesis of short tubular bones, including a support unit (1) made as a cramp-shaped plate (3) having a plurality of perforations (4), two fixing pins (10) being secured between the arms of the cramp-shaped plate (3); distraction units (2) incorporating a pin holder (18) and at least two distraction pins (19) installed therein, a distraction threaded rods (15) whose proximal ends are connected to the support unit (1), according to the invention, the fixing pins (10) of the support unit (1) are arranged parallel to each other and lie in a plane square with the planes of the cramp-shaped plate (3), and each of the distraction units (2) is installed on one distraction rod (15) with a possibility of relative motion along its longitudinal axis, while each of the distraction threaded rods (15) is located on the cramp-shaped plate (3) with a possibility of angular motion and the distraction pins (19) of each distraction unit (2) are cantileverly fixed in the pin holder (18).

Abstract: In a compression-distraction apparatus for osteosynthesis, including at least two supporting units (1), each incorporating at least two fixing pins (3) fitted in pin holders (2) which are made as a bolt (4) carrying plates (8) having open slots (10) for the pins (3) to fit and a set of spacer shims (9) and are fitted on a threaded rod (6) with a possibility of moving lengthwise its axis, according to the invention, the bolt (4) of the pin holder (2) has an axial hole (5) through which the main threaded rod (6) is free to pass, and the plates (8) and the spacer shims (9) are shaped as washers set on the bolt (4), the open slots (10) for the pins (3) to fit are made on the end surfaces of the plates (8) and pass along the chord of their circumference on the far side of hole (12) in the washer, and the pins (3) are curved and locked in place in the pin holder (2) in a criss-cross manner.

Abstract: An ankle joint distractor and method for spreading an ankle joint in preparation for arthroscopic surgery. The distractor comprises a pair of external fixation pins for transfixing bones adjacent the ankle joint so as to pass parallel to one another and directly through the bones from the medial side to the lateral side, and a pair of jack screws for attachment to the parallelly transfixed pins, the jackscrews being adapted to force the pins apart or together so as to distract or to compress the ankle joint while the pins are maintained in a generally parallel spaced apart relationship.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a vertebral column with damaged vertebrae comprises an adjustable arm on a guiding axis and a stationary arm attached to the guiding axis, each arm having a hollow receiving body adjustable in two planes for a lengthening rod, which can be connected with a tire-fond. Each arm (2, 4) has an intermediate jointed piece (5, 5a) with an intermediate jointed piece (5, 5a) with two joints (6, 7), each intermediate jointed piece (5, 5a) being connected in a hinged manner to a support (8) for the hollow receiving body which is designed as an attachable cylindrical piece (15) with a tangential drilled hole (16).

Abstract: A pedicle screw (1) for use in the monosegmental or multisegmental stabilization of the spinal column comprises a thread and a receiver portion. In order to facilitate the mounting and to reduce the stress of the screw and the threaded rods for connection therewith, a threaded shaft part (2) and a receiver part (3) are mutually connected in an articulated manner.

Abstract: A device for externally fixing bones and joints. The device is made of multiple connectable cylindrical sleeves, each housing a hollow cylindrical member. Both the cylindrical sleeves and their internal cylindrical members are provided with holes in their cylindrical walls, for insertion of bone-anchoring pins.

Abstract: Tensioning clamps for bone positioning wires of external fixation devices used in orthopedic surgery having clamping structure associated with tensioning guide device for being moved reciprocally therewith for clamping said bone positioning wire for movement with the tensioning guide device, and a clamp and tension indicator including annular washer springs in a cavity between compression surfaces, the distance between which is indicative of the amount of compression, is disclosed.

Abstract: A tension adjuster is mounted on and is part of an external fixation device comprising frame segments rigidly supporting fixation pins that pass through and immobilize fractured bones during rehabilitation. This tension adjuster securely attaches the fixation pins to the frame segments and adjustably applies tension along the fixation pins to more rigidly secure the fixation pins and to improve the immobilization of the fractured bones. The tension adjuster comprises a threaded slotted screw attached to the fixation pins and comprises a mounting nut having an aperture through which is drawn the threaded slotted tension screw while adjusting the tension along the fixation pins. A tapered pin extending into the aperture of the mounting nut and into a chamfered slot of the threaded slotted tension screw, guides the threaded slotted tension screw through the mounting nut during tension adjustments.

Abstract: An improved splint is described for setting a Colles' fracture. The splint includes first, second and third elements connected together. A metacarpal bar is carried on the first element and is movable therealong. Two pins pass through the metacarpal bar and extend into a bone of a patient of one side of a bone fracture. The second element is pivotally mounted on one end of the first element for movement about an axis which forms an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first element. The third element is pivotally mounted on the second element for movement about an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second element. The third element includes transverse openings through which two pins extend which are inserted into the bone of a patient on the opposite side of the bone fracture. In one embodiment the metacarpal bar can be rotated about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first element.

Abstract: A unilateral external fixation device comprises a distal frame and a proximal frame interconnected by a hinge formed of mating, partially spherical-shaped surfaces which permits relative movement of the distal frame and proximal frame. Each of the frames includes one or more pin clamps which mount half pins inserted with the proximal or distal segments of a fractured bone to immobilize the bone segments and permit reduction of the fracture. The focal point of the partially spherical-shaped surfaces of the hinge is positioned in direct alignment with the fracture, preferably in a vertical plane passing through the fracture transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bone, so that manipulation of one or both of the distal and proximal frames permits a relatively slight and precise movement of the bone segments connected thereto by the half pins to ensure proper reduction of the fracture.