Patent ID: 8491582

Claim:
A bone compression and distraction apparatus comprising: A body having an elongated tubular member defining a cavity with a first end and a second end, wherein an assembly slot extends along the length thereof between the first end and the second end; A worm screw extending through the body within the cavity and spaced apart from the body having a first end, a second end, and a central region: a right hand thread extending from the central region toward the first end; a left hand thread extending from the central region toward the second end; at least one end of the worm screw extending beyond the first end of the body and terminating at a ratchet end; and the worm screw configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis extending therethrough while being precluded from translating within the cavity of the body; A first pin attachment member threaded onto the worm screw on the side having the right hand thread and having an arm extending through the assembly slot in the body with the arm having a pin coupling member; and A second pin attachment member spaced apart from the first pin attachment and threaded onto the worm screw on the side having the left hand thread and having an arm extending through the assembly slot in the body with the arm having a pin coupling member; Whereupon rotation of the worm screw causes the first pin attachment member and the second pin attachment member to move in opposing directions along the assembly slot of the body.