Patent ID: 8323282
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An accessory device for an external orthopedic fixator used to stabilize a patient's foot and ankle, where the fixator has an external frame made up of a plurality of frame components which surround the lower leg and ankle of a patient with one or more transfixation wires fixed thereto, the accessory device comprising: a walking plate having an upper surface used for supporting the sole of a patient's foot and having an oppositely arranged lower surface and an intermediate thickness, the walking plate having a plurality of connector elements mounted thereon, the connector elements having exposed upper extents extending upwardly from the upper surface of the foot plate, the upper extents being matingly engageable with at least one of the frame components of the fixator for securing the walking plate to the fixator and for supporting the patient's foot, the walking plate also having a peripheral outer edge which includes a connector region; a flexible shroud having an overall width and height, an exterior and an interior and a longitudinal seam which allows the shroud to be wrapped about the fixator with the fixator being received within the interior of the shroud, the shroud width and height being sufficient to conceal the fixator when the fixator is so received; wherein the connector elements which are provided on the walking plate are threaded bolts which have exposed threaded extents which protrude upwardly from the upper surface of the walking plate, and wherein at least one of the frame components of the fixator which is used for securing the walking plate to the fixator and for supporting the patient's foot comprises at least one fixator support collar having a plurality of openings therein, the openings being spaced in alignment with the exposed extents of the threaded bolts for receiving the bolts to thereby attach the walking plate to the fixator support collar; wherein the walking plate has a plurality of precisely located holes communicating the upper and lower surfaces thereof for receiving the connector elements, the holes being precisely drilled at dimensions measured from four or more different fixator support collars to fit at least three different walking plates, the location of the holes being predetermined to accept a variety of different manufacturer's fixator components of various sizes and spacings without having to inventory a number of different walking plates, or drill additional holes or make other on-site modifications to the walking plate; and wherein the holes which communicate the upper and lower surfaces of the walking plate terminate in counterbores on the plate lower surface, the counterbores being sized to receive the heads of connecting bolts in recessed fashion.