Patent ID: 9295492
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A fixation clamp for use in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements, comprising at least one clamping assembly having at least one reception to accommodate a fixation element along a longitudinal axis of the reception and at least one locking element extending through a bore in the clamping assemblies for blocking the position of the clamping assemblies in a defined angular position, a washer arranged between a head portion of the locking element and one clamping assembly, wherein the washer comprises a central through opening having a first diameter centered around a middle axis, the through opening surrounded by an area recessed from an outer surface of the washer which extends transverse to the middle axis, the recessed area having a cross-section larger than the first diameter, wherein said locking element extends through said through opening, the washer having a cutout defining parallel planar sidewalls extending radially to said middle axis of said through opening such that said washer is mountable and demountable in an essential radial direction to the middle axis of the locking element, wherein the cutout has a smaller distance between its sidewalls than the diameter of the through opening, wherein the locking element has a first circular cross-section below its head portion adapted to fit through the through opening of the washer but larger than the opening of the cutout and comprises at least one pair of planar surfaces oriented in parallel one to the other and having a distance one from the other being smaller than the distance between the planar sidewalls of the cutout of the washer, the distance between the planar sidewalls of the washer being larger than the distance between the locking element planar surfaces prior to engagement therewith, the locking element having a second cross-section extending between the head portion and the first circular cross-section, the second cross-section larger than the first circular cross-section and adapted to be received in the washer recessed area.