Abstract: A portable bone distraction apparatus comprises a frame having a pair of relatively moveable parts which are respectively connectable to the bone parts on opposite sides of a break and tissue condition sensors positionable on opposite sides of a break. The sensors determine tissue conditions such as temperature or oxygen content. The apparatus includes a microprocessor control circuit which governs rate and frequency of distractions with automatic termination or reduction of the rate and/or frequency of distraction if sensed conditions proximate the break exceed predetermined programmed values.

Abstract: A dynamic external axial splint for use in rehabilitating a fractured bone comprises a pair of spaced clamps for bone screws or bolts anchored to the respective fragments of the fractured bone. A central body releasably and universally connects and locks these spaced clamps via ball-joints having provision for selective retention of a wide variety of angular relations, between the central body and the central axis of each of the spaced clamps. The central body comprises first and second end members and a third or intermediate member, affording on the one hand, longitudinally and adjustably fixed lap of one end member with the intermediate member, and also affording limited resiliently snubbed and axially guided displaceability as between the intermediate member and the other end member, thus rendering the two end members and the respective bone-fragment anchorages clamped to the end members subject to the same axially guided and resiliently snubbed action.

Abstract: The invention relates to a unilateral external bone fixation device which can be readily adapted for carrying out either bone transport or bone lengthening procedures, the device comprising a non-rotatable rigid shaft 11 having a central bore 12 extending therethrough, and being longitudinally displaceable along the central axis of the device, and a plurality of clamp carrier housings 13, 14 15 co-axially supported along the length of the shaft 11, one of the housings 14 being fixed to the shaft so as to be movable therewith, each said housing having connected thereto an orthopedic pin clamp assembly, a lead screw 19 housed within the bore of the shaft 11, and having a thread mating with a thread in the shaft bore, arranged and constructed so that upon rotation of the lead screw 19, the shaft 11 is displaced longitudinally along with the housing 14, to in turn cause an adjustment in the axial distances between the confronting ends of the housing 14 and at least one of the housings 13,15.

Abstract: An external fixator for osteosynthesis features application to the fixation of fractures of small bones such as those of the hand or foot. A small central unit contains two ball joints which are releasably clamped via a single actuation. Bone fasteners, such as bone pins or bone screws are releasably clamped, via a single actuation at each of two clamping units, and each of the clamping units is adjustably clamped to a carrier rod within a wide range of selected positions, which extends to the smallest of offsets from the central double-ball joint unit, by reason of the fact that the ball of each ball joint is the inner end of one of the respective carrier rods.

Abstract: An osteosynthetic force transmitting and positioning apparatus has two force transmitting members one of which is slidably telescoped into the other and each of which or at least one of which is connected or is connectable to one or more connecting components for bone screws, bone pins and/or other types of fasteners which secure the connectors to discrete bones, to fragments of bones or to osteosynthetic plates. The connections between the force transmitting members and the connecting components are such that the orientation of the fasteners can be altered in the direction of any one of three axes which are disposed at right angles to each other. Such connections can include fulcra, hinges, pivots, pin-and-hole couplings or others.

Abstract: An orthopaedic system is provided which includes a plurality of support members, a plurality of rods interconnecting the support members, a plurality of pins attached to the support members for passing through bone of a patient, and an automatic drive device to control an adjustment mechanism of the rods to adjust the rod length of the rods to alter the relative positions of the support members. The drive device includes at least one motor for incrementally adjusting the adjustment mechanism of at least one of the rods and a controller device for providing pulses to the motor and for storing information regarding the number of stepwise adjustments of the rod length by the motor.

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: An orthopaedic system is provided which includes a plurality of support members, a plurality of rods interconnecting the support members, a plurality of pins attached to the support members for passing through bone of a patient, and an automatic drive mechanism to control an adjustment mechanism of the rods to adjust the rod length of the rods to alter the relative positions of the support members. The drive mechanism includes at least one motor for incrementally adjusting the adjustment mechanism of at least one of the rods and a controller mechanism for providing pulses to the motor and for storing information regarding the number of stepwise adjustments of the rod length by the motor. An internal orthopaedic system is also disclosed in which a telescoping rod driven by an internal drive screw is placed internal to the bone of a patient and driven by means of either a flexible drive shaft connected to a motor and controller assembly or an internal motor and controller assembly.

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: The present invention discloses a means for providing tension to bones dug the healing process that is non-invasive. In the preferred embodiment, the disclosed means for placing bones under tension comprises a first collar and a second collar. Each collar is controllably moved cyclically between a body member embracing condition and a body member releasing condition in such manner that when one collar is in one condition the other is in the other condition. A firm grip is therewith always maintained on the body member while allowing the circulation thereof.

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: 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: 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: An orthopaedic system is provided which includes a plurality of support members, a plurality of rods interconnecting the support members, a plurality of pins attached to the support members for passing through bone of a patient, and an automatic drive mechanism to control an adjustment mechanism of the rods to adjust the rod length of the rods to alter the relative positions of the support members. The drive mechanism includes at least one motor for incrementally adjusting the adjustment mechanism of at least one of the rods and a controller mechanism for providing pulses to the motor and for storing information regarding the number of stepwise adjustments of the rod length by the motor.

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).