Patent ID: 8361073

Claim:
An articulation element for an external fixation apparatus for treating a patient, the element having a longitudinal axis, said element comprising: a first adjustable jaw pair configured to apply clamping pressure to capture a first rigid element of the external fixation apparatus; a second adjustable jaw pair configured to apply clamping pressure to capture a second rigid element of the external fixation apparatus; and a coupling mechanism disposed between the first and second jaw pairs so as to allow the first jaw pair to rotate relative to the second jaw pair about the longitudinal axis, the coupling mechanism being disposed at a first location on the longitudinal axis, and having a first substantially curved surface interfacing with at least one jaw of the first jaw pair the first adjustable jaw pair disposed so as to pivot about a constrained first transverse pivot axis that is angled relative to a first rigid element captured by the first adjustable jaw pair, the first transverse pivot axis being displaced from the first location in a first direction along the longitudinal axis, the second adjustable jaw pair disposed so as to pivot about a constrained second transverse pivot axis that is angled relative to a second rigid element captured by the second adjustable pair, the second transverse pivot axis being displaced from the first location in a second direction different than the first direction.