Patent ID: 7918853

Claim:
Apparatus for treating bone fractures comprising a first bone portion and a second bone portion, the apparatus comprising: (a) a stabilizing structure for connection to an outer surface of the first bone portion, the stabilizing structure comprising a barrel defining a transverse aperture; (b) a fastening assembly comprising an engaging member and a compression member, (i) the engaging member comprising a channel and a first cooperation structure to cooperate with the compression member, and wherein the compression member nests partially within the channel of the engaging member; (ii) wherein the engaging member and the compression member at least partially extend through the transverse aperture of the barrel, and the engaging member and the compression member are adapted to slide within the transverse aperture as a unit; (iii) wherein the engaging member engages the second bone portion and the compression member contacts the second bone portion; and (c) an adjustable stop at least partially positioned in the transverse aperture such that a portion of the adjustable stop can contact a portion of the fastening assembly to limit the sliding of the fastening assembly, wherein the position of the adjustable stop is adjustable to alter the limitation on the sliding of the fastening assembly.