Embodiments of the invention include an external fixation system that includes at least one external fixation strut that is both acutely adjustable and precisely adjustable and related methods of adjustment. Acute adjustment may be accomplished using one or more mobile jaws that may be engaged with or disengage from a threaded rod of each external fixation strut. Precise adjustment of each external fixation strut may be accomplished after releasing a lock biased toward a locked position. When each external fixation strut's lock is released, a portion of each of the precise adjustment mechanism of each external fixation strut may be activated to increase and decrease the length of each of the at least one external fixation struts.

Length-adjustable strut assemblies for external fixation systems, and corresponding external fixation systems, are disclosed. The strut assemblies include an elongate first and second end members, an elongate intermediate member, and first and second adjustment mechanisms. The intermediate member comprises a threaded rod fixedly coupled within an axial cavity thereof, and is rotatably fixed and axially translatably within an axial cavity of the first end member. An end portion of the second end member is received within the axial cavity of the intermediate member, and the second end member comprises an axial cavity threadably coupled with the threaded rod. The first adjustment mechanism is configured to selectively axially fix the intermediate member relative to the first end member. The second adjustment mechanism is configured to selectively rotate the second end member with respect to the threaded rod to axially translate the second end member relative to the intermediate member.

A fixation system for immobilizing a skeletal structure is provided. It includes an internal fixation system having a rod-plate subsystem, a shaft subsystem, and a midfoot plate subsystem. It further includes an external fixation system adapted to connect to the internal fixation system and having a sole that provides a weight-bearing platform underneath a patient's foot to enable a patient to walk with the fixation system.

A bone distraction device having a ratchet and pawl assembly such that incremental rotation is allowed in one direction and prevented in the other, and further having a quick release mechanism such that the ratchet and pawl mechanism can be released to allow free rotation in both directions. The device has a pawl housing mounted onto a rod housing, the pawl housing having a sloping transition shoulder diminishing to transition onto the outer surface of the rod housing. In other embodiments, the device has a sleeve housing with an enlarged end telescopically mounted onto a rod housing, the enlarged end having a sloping transition shoulder diminishing to transition onto the outer surface of the sleeve housing.

A fracture reduction method and a parallel external fixator for fracture reduction for realizing the method, the fracture reduction method being used for existing six-chain ring-shaped parallel external fixators in minimally invasive fracture reduction or osteotomy of limbs. The parallel external fixator comprises two fixation rings, six struts and six markers, the fixation rings are arranged with a plurality of connecting holes, the struts are arranged with a spherical hinge, a driving joint (1302), a quick-mounting component and a universal hinge, the markers comprise marker balls and a pin shaft. The parallel external fixator can improve the treatment accuracy, reliability and operation convenience.

Length-adjustable strut assemblies for external fixation systems, and corresponding external fixation systems, are disclosed. The strut assemblies include an elongate first and second end members, an elongate intermediate member, and first and second adjustment mechanisms. The intermediate member comprises a threaded rod fixedly coupled within an axial cavity thereof, and is rotatably fixed and axially translatably within an axial cavity of the first end member. An end portion of the second end member is received within the axial cavity of the intermediate member, and the second end member comprises an axial cavity threadably coupled with the threaded rod. The first adjustment mechanism is configured to selectively axially fix the intermediate member relative to the first end member. The second adjustment mechanism is configured to selectively rotate the second end member with respect to the threaded rod to axially translate the second end member relative to the intermediate member.

Adjustable rail apparatuses and external bone and/or tissue fixation system including an adjustable rail apparatus is disclosed. The rail apparatuses comprise first and second external fixation beam elements with alignment grooves, and a joint coupling the first and second beam elements and configured to selectively adjust the relative angular and rotational arrangement of the first and second beam elements. The joint also comprises a first and second beam end housings rotationally fixed to the first and second external fixation beam elements, respectively. The joint also comprises first and second clamp members axially and rotationally fixed to the first and beam end housings, respectively. The joint also comprises first and second rotation end housings coupled with the first and second clamp members, respectively, the first and second rotation end housings being selectively rotatably adjusted with respect to the first and second clamp members, respectively, within fixed ranges of rotation.

The present invention presents various embodiments showing combination of a body, rods, platforms and pin (or wire) clamps for the relative fixation of separated bone segment. In some embodiments there is an overall linear arrangement of the assemblies. The rods are threaded and extend lengthwise throughout a substantial portion of the length of the body. Engaged with the threaded rods are one or more moveable platforms, with each moveable platform engaging one or more pin clamps. Preferably each moveable platform includes at least one tapped (generally threaded) hole and at least one smooth through-hole in each moveable platform, so that each moveable platform engages with one threaded rod via the tapped hole but can pass freely along the other threaded rod. Each body also typically bears at least one stationary platform, generally at or near one end of the device.

Apparatus and methods for distracting and/or compressing bone. An exemplary apparatus may comprise a rod having a thread. The apparatus also may comprise a first assembly and a second assembly each coupled, or configured to be coupled, to the rod and each configured to be attached to a respective pin extending into bone. The apparatus further may comprise a nut engaged, or configured to be engaged, with the thread and configured to be turned to drive the second assembly along the rod. In some embodiments, at least one of the assemblies may have at least two degrees of rotational freedom that can be eliminated by manipulating a single graspable member. In some embodiments, the rod and the second assembly may have anti-rotation features configured to interact with one another to permit travel of the second assembly along the rod while preventing rotation of the second assembly about the rod.

The present application provides external bone and tissue fixation systems and related methods. The fixation systems may include an elongate beam element defining an axis with an axially extending threaded track portion. The systems may also include at least one drivable fixation clamp assembly comprising a housing with a central bore, a driving housing rotatably coupled to the housing, a threaded driving member, and a clamp assembly rotatably coupled to the housing configured to clamp to at least one fixation member. The elongate beam element may extend axially through central bore of the housing. The driving member may be movable with respect to the central bore via rotation of the driving housing between engaged and disengaged states with the threaded track portion. Rotation of the driving member in the engaged state may axially translate the clamp assembly along the beam element.