Patent ID: 8323281

Claim:
A device for external fixation of a joint, the joint having an anatomic pivot axis about which first and second skeletal elements are disposed, the device comprising: a first pin block for connection to the first skeletal element; a second pin block for connection to the second skeletal element; and a connection assembly for connection to the first and second pin blocks, wherein the connection assembly is releasably attached to at least one of the first and second pin blocks to allow the device to be locked in an original position when the connection assembly is attached to the first and second pin blocks, and to allow the device to be unlocked when the connection assembly is detached from at least one of the first and second pin blocks, wherein the connection assembly is formed of a plurality of parts that are coupled to one another and maintained in locked, fixed positions relative to one another when: (1) the connection assembly is attached to the device and the device is locked in the original position and also when: (2) the connection assembly is detached from the at least one of the first and second pin blocks, thereby allowing the device to be locked back into the original position, after detachment of the connection assembly from the at least one of the first and second pin blocks, by reattachment of the connection assembly to both the first and second pin blocks.