Patent ID: 8777995
Filing Date: 2014-07-15
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A bone fixation device, comprising: a housing having a through hole including a first section having a first diameter, a second section adjacent to the first section having a diameter increasing from a point adjacent to the first section to a second diameter larger than the first diameter, and a third section adjacent to the second diameter having a substantially constant diameter; a rod insertable through the through hole; and a locking mechanism operably associated with the housing, the locking mechanism allowing movement of the rod relative to the housing in a first direction in response to a force applied to the rod in the first direction and inhibiting movement of the rod relative to the housing in a second direction in response to a force applied to the rod in the second direction, the locking mechanism including a split ring repositionable in the through hole, the split ring having a diameter greater than the first diameter and smaller than the second diameter, such that when the rod is translated in the first direction the split ring moves toward the third section and expands to permit the rod to translate in the first direction, the locking mechanism further including a spring element in the through hole to urge the split ring toward the first section, such that when the rod is translated in the second direction the split ring is urged toward the first section and is compressed around the rod disposed in the through hole to inhibit movement of the rod in the second direction.