Patent ID: 8888777
Filing Date: 2014-11-18
Classification: A61B,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An articulation element for an external fixation apparatus for treating a patient, the element having a longitudinal axis, the articulation element comprising: a first clamp mechanism comprising a first socket and a first adjustable jaw pair received within the first socket, the first adjustable jaw pair being disposed at a first location along the longitudinal axis and configured to capture a first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus; a second clamp mechanism comprising a second socket and a second adjustable jaw pair received within the second socket, the second adjustable jaw pair being disposed along the longitudinal axis and configured to apply clamping pressure to capture a second rigid element of the external fixation apparatus; and a coupling mechanism coupling the first clamp mechanism and the first adjustable jaw pair to the second clamp mechanism and the second adjustable jaw pair, the coupling mechanism being disposed between the first and second adjustable jaw pairs and arranged so that the first adjustable jaw pair is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the second clamp mechanism and the second adjustable jaw pair, the coupling mechanism comprising a first curved surface interfacing with a second curved surface of at least one jaw of the first jaw pair, the first adjustable jaw pair being pivotable relative to the second clamp mechanism and the second adjustable jaw pair about a constrained first transverse pivot axis that is angled relative to a first rigid element captured by the first adjustable jaw pair, and the coupling mechanism comprising a first component and a second component independent of and disposed between the first and second adjustable jaw pairs, the first and second components being rotatable relative to each other about the longitudinal axis, the first and second adjustable jaw pairs being pivotable relative to the respective first and second components.