Patent ID: 11944352
Assignee: nan
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 14:
15. A method for using an extracorporeal link for connecting percutaneous bone fasteners, the method comprising:
(a) selecting an element, wherein
(i) the element comprises a plurality of transverse holes,
(ii) the plurality of transverse holes are located about the element,
(iii) each transverse hole in the plurality of transverse holes is capable of allowing a bone fastener to pass through the transverse hole in the plurality of transverse holes to secure to one or more bone segments, and
(iv) the element is configured in a first configuration;

(b) restraining the element in a second configuration, wherein the element is restrained using external force;
(c) positioning the element near one or more bone segments;
(d) while the element is positioned and restrained, passing a plurality of bone fasteners through the plurality of transverse holes; and
(e) releasing the element from the external force, wherein
(i) responsive to releasing the element from the external force, the element moves toward the first configuration,
(ii) the movement toward the first configuration applies moments and forces to the plurality of bone fasteners, and
(iii) the moments and forces being applied to the plurality of bone fasteners act through the skin to transport, compress, or distract the one or more bone segments.