Patent ID: 6746448
Filing Date: 2004-06-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An external fixator for a bone fracture in or adjacent a long bone, the external fixator comprising:a main body adapted for external fixation to the long bone, the main body extending along a longitudinal axis generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the long bone, the longitudinal axis of the long bone and the longitudinal axis of the main body together defining a reference plane; an outrigger connected to the main body for extending over the bone fracture and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body, the outrigger extending from a proximal end connected to the main body to a distal end, such that the outrigger cantilevers over the bone fracture when the main body is fixed to the long bone; a first bone fastener support adjustably attachable to the outrigger for adjustable movement along the outrigger in a first bone fastener support movement direction, the outrigger being formed such that the first bone fastener support movement direction is sloped at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the reference plane, such that movement of the first bone fastener support in the first bone fastener support movement direction changes the elevation of the first bone fastener support relative to the reference plane and the bone fracture; and a first bone fastener supported by the first bone fastener support for attachment into a bone fragment to fix the bone fragment relative to the long bone for a healing duration.