DEVICE FOR ALIGNING FRACTURED BONE

DISPOSITIF POUR ALIGNER LES OS FRACTURES

English Abstract

A fractured bone alignment device comprising an L-
shaped lever and a sliding member, the L-shaped lever
comprised of an elongated handle component and a
perpendicular limb-engaging component; the sliding member
having an aperture proximate one end; said aperture
adapted to be received on said elongated handle for
movement of said sliding member along the length of said
handle relative to said perpendicular component in the
same plane and on the said side of said handle as said
perpendicular component; said aperture being slightly
longer in length than the width of said elongated handle
to create a sliding lock.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED
AS FOLLOWS:
1. A fractured bone alignment device comprising:
an L-shaped lever;
a sliding member;
the L-shaped lever comprised of an elongated handle component
and a perpendicular limb-engaging component;
the elongated handle having a four sided cross-section;
the sliding member having an aperture proximate one end;
the sliding member having a four sided cross-section;
said aperture adapted to be received on said elongated handle for
movement of said sliding member along the length of said handle relative
to said perpendicular component in the same plane and on the said side of
said handle as said perpendicular component when the sliding member is
perpendicular to the elongated handle,
the cross-section of the aperture of the sliding member is slightly
greater than the cross-section of the elongated handle;
the sliding member fixedly engaging the elongated handle member
when force is applied obliquely to the sliding member.
2. The device according to claim 1 constructed of 3/4 rectangular steel
tubing.
3. The device according to claim 1 constructed of radiolucent plastic.

Description

2085U5~
DEVICE FOR ALIGNING FRACTURED BONE
Technical Field
This invention relates to the field of devices for
the alignment of fractured long bones, and particularly
to the alignment of closed fractures.
Backctround of the Invent ' ~n
The alignment of closed fractures of long bones
often requires the treating surgeon to rely on X-ray
images to achieve the optimal positioning of the
fractured fragments of bone. Physical manipulation of
the fractured limb may require the application of a
significant amount of force as well as the exposure of
the operator s hands to irradiation. Protection of the
operator from such exposure, as well as the ability to
perform such manipulation from a number of different
angles and to maintain observation of the fractured bone
fragments during the process of alignment are desirable.
The fractured bone alignment device of the present
invention provides an instrument that will withstand the
forces applied to achieve positioning of the bone
fragments in preparation for intramedullary nailing. The
- ----~----- -.~~~~yG ~l w,15 aevice allows the treating
surgeon to stand outside the field of radiation when said
device is used in conjunction with image intensification
or X-ray. The device can be rotated on different aspects
of the fractured limb, allowing the manipulation of said
limb from many different angles. The radiolucent version

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of the present invention allows the treating surgeon to
maintain constant visual contact with the bone fragments
during the alignment procedure.
In addition, the fractured bone alignment device of
this invention is simple in design, consisting solely of
two rugged components which are easily and inexpensively
constructed. Said components are readily washed free of
blood and other body fluids and are easily sterilized and
stored, further advantages of the present invention are
its ease of use and efficiency of operation.
Summary of the Invention
An embodiment of the device of the present invention
comprises an L-shaped lever and a sliding member. The L-
shaped lever is comprised of an elongated angle component
and a shorter, perpendicular limb-engaging component.
The sliding member has an aperture proximate one end
through which the elongated handle is received, thereby :.
allowing the sliding member to move along the length of
said handle relative to the perpendicular component.
Movement occurs in the same plane and on the same side of
said handle as the perpendicular component. When a
fractured limb is engaged in the device and positive
pressure is applied to said handle, pressure on the
sliding member creates a sliding lock which holds the
device in a fixed position during alignment of fractured
bone fragments.

208505 ~l
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Alternate embodiments of the present invention
include the above device constructed of 3/4~~ rectangular
steel or radiolucent plastic material.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the L-shaped
lever, consisting of an elongated handle component and a
shorter, perpendicular component.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sliding member
of the present invention, comprising an aperture
proximate one end.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, shown in operative
configuration.
Figure 4 is a view of a lower limb with a single
fracture in the femur, yielding two bone portions.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, shown in operative
configuration with a fractured lower limb.
Figure 6 is a view of a fractured lower limb
following manipulation with the present invention,
yielding alignment of the two portions of bone.
Detailed Describtion of the Invention
Referring to Figure 1, the device is comprised of an
L-shaped lever with an elongated handle component 10 and
a shorter, perpendicular limb-engaging component 20.

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208507
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Referring to Figure 2, the sliding member is adapted
to be received on said handle component by means of an
aperture 30 proximate one end; said aperture being
slightly longer in length than the width of said
elongated handle to create a sliding lock.
Referring to Figure 3, the sliding member is
received on the elongated handle component 10 of the L
shaped lever and is able to move laterally along the
length of said handle 10, in the same plane and in the
same direction as the perpendicular component 20.
Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the device is shown
as used to set a femur herein shown as having one
fracture providing bone portions 40a and 40b. The
fractured limb is engaged between the perpendicular
component 20 and the sliding member of the device. Said
sliding member is moved into a position directly adjacent
to the surface of the fractured limb by sliding it along
said elongated handle 10. Positive force is applied to
said handle 10 by grasping it outside the range of
irradiation. The resulting pressure on the sliding
member produces a sliding lock which holds said member
firmly in place for the duration of the femoral reduction
process. Through skilled manipulation of the sliding
lock device the portions of bone 40a, 40b are brought
into alignment.

Representative Drawing