Patent ID: 8523858

Claim:
A clamp for external fixation having a longitudinal axis comprising: a longitudinal bore passing through the clamp; a first clamp assembly comprising first and second vise plates having two first recesses and two second recesses, respectively, the first vise plate comprising a first contacting surface, the second vise plate comprising a second contacting surface, the first and second contacting surfaces being configured to directly contact one another in a clamping position, the first recesses being positioned and shaped so that, when the first and second vise plates contact one another in the clamping position, first and second bone fixation element receiving cavities are formed on opposite sides of the longitudinal bore, each of the second recesses being adjacent to a corresponding one of the first recesses and shaped so that, when the first and second vise plates are in the clamping position, first and second insertion channels are formed adjacent to the first and second bone fixation element receiving cavities, respectively, each of the first and second insertion channels extending along a channel axis from the corresponding one of the first and second bone fixation element receiving cavities to open to an exterior of the first clamp assembly, the channel axes of the first and second insertion channels being angled with respect to the longitudinal axis; a second clamp assembly comprising a third and fourth receiving portions, each of the third and fourth receiving portions being sized and configured to receive a bone fixation element therein; and a shaft positioned through the longitudinal bore, the shaft connecting the first and second clamp assemblies.