Patent ID: 7938829

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 comprising a first component having a first flat surface and a first substantially curved concave surface and a second component having a second flat surface and a second substantially curved concave surface, the first flat surface being engageable with the second flat surface, wherein the first and second components are independent of and disposed between the first and second adjustable jaw pairs and are pivotable relative to each other about the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first and second adjustable jaw pairs are pivotable relative to the respective first and second components, the first adjustable jaw pair disposed so as to pivot about a first transverse pivot axis, 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 second transverse pivot axis, the second transverse pivot axis being displaced from the first location in a second direction different than the first direction, wherein the substantially curved concave surfaces are each configured to engage against a respective one of the first and second adjustable jaw pairs and selectively limit movement of the first adjustable jaw pair and the second adjustable jaw pair about the respective first and second transverse pivot axes.