Patent ID: 7252669

Claim:
An end cap for the exposed ends of the pins and rods of an external fixator device, in combination comprising: a) a fixator device forming an exoskeletal brace for use on a limb of a patient, said fixator device having at least one connecting rod, a plurality of spaced connecting clamps on said connecting rod, and a plurality of fixation pins extending through each of said connecting clamps, said fixation pins having free ends away from said connecting clamps, said connecting rod having first and second opposing ends; b) a separate end cap releasably positioned on said free ends of fixation pins for each connecting clamp leaving a space between end caps; c) wherein each said end cap is oval shaped and made of a compressible material and having first and second opposing conically shaped ends and a first and second opposing side surface, said first side surface being generally disposed away from said fixation pins and said second side surface being generally disposed toward said fixation pins, said second side surface having a cavity therein and each of said first and second opposing ends terminating in a planar surface at right angles to a central axis of said end cap; and, d) pliable material filling said cavity, wherein said ends of said fixation pins are press fitted into said pliable material to permit the free ends of the fixation pins to be covered, whereby each said end cap before mounting on said free ends of said fixation pins is a solid compressible member containing a filling of pliable material ready for press fitting onto said fixation pins.