Patent ID: 9017387
Filing Date: 2015-04-28
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for use in a patient, comprising: a main central member having all rounded edges and no threads; said main central member having a shape of an open-ended cylindrical tube; said open-ended cylindrical tube being provided with an open upper section extending parallel to and co-extensive with a central elongated axis of said main central member; an externally threaded rod member for passing through said main central member without contacting said main central member; a first generally C-shaped one-piece lock nut member having all rounded edges, a partially cylindrical knurled outer surface, a slot, a mouth of said slot, and an internally axial bore portion; the first generally C-shaped one-piece lock nut member being removably and selectively connectable to a first end of the main central member; first connection means connecting the first generally C-shaped one-piece lock nut member directly to the main central member preventing separation thereof; a second generally C-shaped one-piece lock nut member having all rounded edges, a partially cylindrical knurled outer surface, a slot, a mouth of said slot, and an internally axial bore portion; the second generally C-shaped one-piece lock nut member being removably and selectively connectable to a second end of the main central member; second connection means connecting the second generally C-shaped one-piece lock nut member directly to the main central member preventing separation thereof; an anchoring device extending perpendicularly from the main central member; the anchoring device permitting anchoring the apparatus to an external or internal body part member; the anchoring device includes an enlarged top portion and is rotationally connected to the main central member with a predetermined clearance between said rod member and an uppermost surface of said enlarged top portion of said anchoring device; each one-piece lock nut member is fabricated and designed to threadedly tighten into a locked position by turning same by a predetermined amount which is less than one complete rotation thereof, and said locked position being such that said mouth of said slot is configured to be directed away from soft tissue in a patient; the anchoring device is provided with means to threadedly affix the anchoring device to the body part member; the main central member and the first and second generally C-shaped one-piece lock nuts are shaped and dimensioned to permit passage therethrough of said externally threaded rod member; the first and second generally C-shaped one-piece lock nuts and the first and second connection means are shaped and dimensioned to permit passage therethrough of said external threaded rod member, and to permit selective and releasable attachment of the apparatus to the externally threaded rod member; and all sharp edges and corners of the apparatus are eliminated by rounding all edges and corners.