Patent ID: 8894649

Claim:
An external fixation apparatus, comprising: a. a plurality of surgical pins, wherein each surgical pin has a first end for connecting to bone and an opposing second end; b. a plurality of ball collets, wherein each ball collet has an opening for receiving a surgical pin therethrough; c. a plurality of collet caps, wherein each collet cap has an opening for receiving a surgical pin therethrough; d. a drive screw having an upper end, a body, and a lower end; e. a connecting rod; f. a cap clamp having a first hole for receiving said upper end of said drive screw therethrough and a second hole for receiving said connecting rod therethrough; g. a movable clamp having a first hole for receiving said body of said drive screw therethrough, a second hole for receiving said connecting rod therethrough, and a first opening for receiving a surgical pin therethrough; h. a fixed clamp having a first hole for receiving said lower end of said drive screw therein, a second hole for receiving said connecting rod therethrough, and a first opening for receiving a surgical pin therethrough; and i. a drive knob having a hole for receiving said upper end of said drive screw therein; wherein said drive knob is secured to said drive screw for concomitant rotation therewith; j. wherein a first ball collet is pivotably mounted within said first opening of said movable clamp, wherein said first ball collet is secured within said first opening of said movable clamp by a first collet cap reversibly attached to said movable clamp, wherein a first surgical pin is pivotably mounted within said first ball collet; k. wherein a second ball collet is pivotably mounted within said first opening of said fixed clamp, wherein said second ball collet is secured within said first opening of said fixed clamp by a second collet cap reversibly attached to said fixed clamp, wherein a second surgical pin is pivotably mounted within said second ball collet; and l. wherein said drive knob is operable to rotate said drive screw and thereby move said movable clamp along the length of said body of said drive screw.