Patent ID: 8906021
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A telescopic strut for use with an external fixator comprising: an axially extending rod having a series of circumferential grooves on an outer surface of the rod; a tubular element extending along a first axis for receiving the rod, the tubular element having a first end including a plurality of holes formed in a wall of the tubular element and a second end having a pin extending therethrough along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis of the tubular element and fixed to the tubular element second end, the pin having end portions extending beyond an outer surface of the tubular element; a plurality of balls for extending through the holes in the tubular element first end; a sleeve having an eccentric bore therethrough mounted around the tubular element first end for contacting the balls, the bore having a major diameter allowing the balls to be located outside the grooves of the rod and a minor diameter causing the balls to be held within the grooves on the rod, the sleeve having a circumferential groove portion extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, the groove portion having two axially extending slot portions located at opposite ends of the circumferential groove portion; a coupling element having a tubular member defining opposite side walls slidably mounted on an outer surface of the tubular element second end, the coupling element tubular member opposite side walls having two diametrically opposed elongated axially extending slots for receiving the pin at the tubular element second end and an adjustment element mounted on an outer surface of the coupling element tubular member for movement in the axial direction thereon the adjustment element having a surface for contacting the end portions of the pin serving as a stop to limit the travel of the pin in the elongated axially extending slots.