Connector for fractured tubular bones

Claim 2

A supporting device for fractured tubular bones having a longitudinally extending interior cavity, comprising an elongated rod-shaped element adapted to be inserTed with clearance into the cavity and having a trailing end portion and a leading end portion; an expander element provided on said leading end portion; an elongated supporting tube dimensioned to fit over said rod-shaped element and adapted to be inserted into the cavity by sliding over said rear end portion and onto said rodshaped element; an expansible element; cooperating coupling portions on said expansible element and on the front end of said tube for releasably connecting said expansible element to said tube so that said expansible element abuts against said expander element when said tube is slid over said rod-shaped element; and moving means for moving said rod-shaped element in said tube axially of the same and rearwardly away from said first end so as to draw said expander element into and thereby expand said expansible element.

Claim 3

A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said coupling portions are mating screw threads.

Claim 4

A device as defined in claim 1, said moving means comprising a nut having internal screw threads; and further comprising an extension rod having a diameter not exceeding that of said rod-shaped element and connectable with said trailing end portion of the latter, said extension rod and said trailing end portion having external screw threads adapted to mesh with said internal screw threads.

Claim 5

A device as defined in claim 1, wherein at least some of said elements and means are of rust-free steel.

Claim 6

A supporting device for fractured tubular bones having a longitudinally extending curved interior cavity, comprising an elongated curved supporting tube element adapted for insertion into said cavity longitudinally thereof and having a leading end portion; an expansible element provided on said leading end portion; an expander element for expanding said expansible element; a rod-shaped element dimensioned to be receivable in said tube element and having a front portion, a rear portion, and an intermediate portion with at least the latter having a cross-section dimensioned to permit angular displacement of said rod-shaped element in said tube element; cooperating coupling portions on said expander element and front portion for effecting coupling of said expander element to said rod-shaped element in response to angular displacement of the latter; and moving means for moving said rod-shaped element in said tube rearwardly of said leading end portion so as to effect expansion of said expansible element with said expander element.

Claim 7

A supporting device for fractured tubular bones having a longitudinally extending curved interior cavity, comprising an elongated curved supporting tube element adapted for insertion into said cavity longitudinally thereof and having a leading end portion; an expansible element provided on said leading end portion; an expander element for expanding said expansible element; a rod-shaped element dimensioned to be receivable in said tube element and having a front portion, a rear portion, and an intermediate portion with at least the latter having a cross-section dimensioned to permit angular displacement of said rod-shaped element in said tube element; cooperating coupling portions on said expander element and front portion for effecting coupling of said expander element to said rod-shaped element in response to angular displacement of the latter; and moving means for moving said rod-shaped element in said tube rearwardly of said leading end portion so as to effect expansion of said expansible element with said expander element.

Claim 8

A device as defined in claim 5, said expander element having an opening, and said coupling portions being transverse projections on said front portion and engaging surfaces in the region of said opening, said engaging surfaces being engageable with said projections when said front portion is inserted into said opening and said rod-shaped element is angularly displaced.

Claim 9

A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said projections are diametrically opposite one another.

Claim 10

A device as defined in claim 7, said expander element being provided in the region of said opening with a pair of diametrally opposite recesses each bounded in part by one of said engaging surfaces.

Claim 11

A device as defined in claim 8, said opening having one end into which said front portion is insertable, and an other end bounded by an endface extending transversely to the axis of said opening; and wherein said recesses are provided in said endface.