Patent ID: 6860883
Filing Date: 2005-03-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A fixation apparatus for being fixed to a bone to keep the bone in a fixed position relative to the apparatus during a healing process therefor, the fixation apparatus comprising: at least one bone pin having a proximal end and a distal tip end configured for tightly gripping onto the bone; a pin positioner that supports the pin to allow a user to manipulate the positioner external of a patient's body for positioning the pin to be advanced into engagement with the bone; a pin holder of the positioner for carrying the pin and having a pin advance assembly operably connected to the pin to allow a user to shift the pin in an advancing direction to bring the distal tip end into gripping engagement with the bone, the pin advance assembly being integrated with the pin holder for staying with the positioner during the healing process; a housing of the pin holder mounted to the pin positioner and having an opening extending in the advancing direction; and a support member of the pin advance assembly through which the pin extends for being advanced therethrough with the support member disposed in the housing opening and the pin advance assembly being operable to shift the support member together with the pin in the housing opening in the advancing direction for advancing the pin therewith.