External compression frame for stabilizing unstable pelvic fractures

Claim 2

A compression frame for fixing the pelvis when treating pelvic fractures, said frame, when in an upright position, comprising two substantially vertical bars (1,2) and two substantially horizontal transverse bars (3,4), the vertical bars having lower end portions attached to the pelvis and upper end portions connected to end portions of one (3) of the transverse bars, a second (4) of the transverse bars being adjustable in length and being connected to the vertical bars (1 and 2) so as to form a trapezoidal configuration, articulation means (5-8) for interconnecting said vertical bars and said transverse bars, said articulation means having first and second fixture elements with through bores for receiving respective ones of said bars, said fixture elements being so anchored to the bars that a displacement of the fixture elements in the longitudinal direction of the bars is not possible, said fixture elements while so anchored allowing relative angular movement between the vertical and transverse bars connected by said fixture elements so that the angle between the bars and the compression force exerted by the bars on the pelvis are adjustable.

Claim 3

A compression frame as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the articulation means which connect the bars of the frame are fastened to the bars by means such as pins and screw bolts anchored in recesses or holes provided in the bars.

Claim 4

A compression frame as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the articulation means interconnecting the bars enable an adjustment of the angles between the bars, each of said articulation means including glide bearings having main parts abutting each other along slide surface (24), and clamping elements (17) for the fixation of the bearing parts.

Claim 5

A compression frame as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second transverse bar (4) consists of two part-bars (9,10) interconnected by means of a thread system, e.g., screw and nut, so that relative rotation of the system parts to each other causes a change of the length of the second bar (4).

Claim 6

A compression frame as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the second transverse bar (4) consists of two-part bars (9, 10), and means including threadedly engaged parts for interconnecting the two-part bars so that relative rotation between the threaded parts causes a change of the length of the second bar (4).

Claim 7

A compression frame for fixing the pelvis when treating pelvic fractures, the frame being connectable to connector elements anchored to a pelvis being treated, said compression frame comprising: a first pair of bars having first end portions connectable to connector elements anchored to the pelvis; a first transverse bar extending between said first pair of bars and interconnected to second end portions of said first pair of bars; a second transverse bar extending between said first pair of bars and interconnected to portions of said first pair of bars spaced intermediate said first and said second end portions; a plurality of articulation means for interconnecting said first and said second transverse bars with said first pair of bars, each of said articulation means having a first fixture element with a through bore formed therein receiving one of the bars, first means for interconnecting said first fixture element with said one bar so that said first fixture element is connected to and fixed in position with respect to said one of the interconnected bars, a second fixture element with a through bore formed therein receiving a second of the interconnected bars, second means for interconnecting said second fixture element with said second bar so that said second fixture element is connected to and fixed in position with respect to said second of the interconnected bars, and means independent from said first and said second means for interconnecting said first and said second fixture elements so as to permit relative movement therebetween to thereby vary the angular relationships between the interconnected bars; and said second transverse bar being adjustable in length to thereby vary the distance between the first end portions of said first pair of bars whereby the compressive force exerted by said frame on the pelvis is controlled.

Claim 8

A compression frame for fixing the pelvis when treating pelvic fractures, the frame being connectable to connector elements anchored to a pelvis being treated, said compression frame comprising: a first pair of bars having first end portions connectable to connector elements anchored to the pelvis; a first transverse bar extending between said first pair of bars and interconnected to second end portions of said first pair of bars; a second transverse bar extending between said first pair of bars and interconnected to portions of said first pair of bars spaced intermediate said first and said second end portions; a plurality of articulation means for interconnecting said first and said second transverse bars with said first pair of bars, each of said articulation means having a first fixture element with a through bore formed therein receiving one of the bars, first means for interconnecting said first fixture element with said one bar so that said first fixture element is connected to and fixed in position with respect to said one of the interconnected bars, a second fixture element with a through bore formed therein receiving a second of the interconnected bars, second means for interconnecting said second fixture element with said second bar so that said second fixture element is connected to and fixed in position with respect to said second of the interconnected bars, and means independent from said first and said second means for interconnecting said first and said second fixture elements so as to permit relative movement therebetween to thereby vary the angular relationships between the interconnected bars; and said second transverse bar being adjustable in length to thereby vary the distance between the first end portions of said first pair of bars whereby the compressive force exerted by said frame on the pelvis is controlled.

Claim 9

A compression frame according to claim 6, wherein said second transverse bar comprises: a first part having one end portion articulated by one of said articulation means to one of said first pair of bars and a threaded end portion extending towards a second of said first pair of bars; a second part having one end portion articulated by another of said articulation means to the second of said first pair of bars and a second end portion extending towards said one of said first pair of bars; and means carried by said second part for engaging the threaded end portion of said first part to thereby fix the length of said second transverse bar.