Patent ID: 6908469

Claim:
An orthopedic device for separating first and second bone segments, the device comprising: a first footplate comprising: a bone attachment portion having a bone contacting surface defining a first plane, and an actuator engaging portion; a second footplate comprising: a bone attachment portion having a bone contacting surface defining a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane, and an actuator attachment portion, and an actuator having a longitudinal axis and configured and adapted to be attached to the first bone segment using the first footplate and to the second bone segment using the second footplate, wherein the second plane is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the actuator attachment portion lies at a predetermined distance from the second plane. 2 .The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined distance is in a range from between about 1 millimeter (mm) to about 25 mm.