Patent ID: 8632483

Claim:
A system for fixing a reduced bone fracture comprising a frame that is sized and configured to support a reduced bone fracture of an individual, a guide assembly on the frame including a bone fixing device guide that defines a guide path along which a bone fixing device can be advanced into a region of the reduced bone fracture, the guide assembly including a linkage system that couples the bone fixing device guide to the frame for articulation of the guide path among a plurality of desired orientations with respect to the reduced bone fracture wherein the linkage system includes a first link that articulates the bone fixing device guide in a first plane, including a mechanism that is sized and configured to mechanically interact with the first link to maintain a desired articulation in the first plane, and a second link that articulates the bone fixing device guide in a second plane different than the first plane, including a mechanism that is sized and configured to mechanically interact with the second link to maintain a desired articulation in the second plane without altering the desired articulation in the first plane, a guide bushing including an interior channel for passing a bone fixing device, the guide bushing being sized and configured to be handled separate from the guide assembly for insertion into the guide path of the bone fixing device guide at the instance of use and for separation from the guide path after use, and packaging that maintains the guide bushing in a sterile condition prior to insertion into the guide path.