Wire tensioner tip

1 . A wire tensioner tip, comprising:

a ring having a first face, a second face, and a plurality of notches defined in an outer edge;

an extension body having a first extension and a second extension spaced apart to define a ring slot, the first extension having an inner flat that abuts the first ring face and the second extension having an inner flat that abuts the opposing second ring face so that the ring slot has a width equal to or greater than a ring thickness;

an engagement body disposed at least partially within the ring slot, wherein the engagement body is fixed to the extension body so as to be non-pivoting with respect to the extension body and is configured to engage an outer surface of the ring positioned within the ring slot, the engagement body including a central protrusion and at least one side protrusion sized to seat within one of the plurality of notches in the outer edge of the ring to prevent rotational and lateral movement of the ring relative to the engagement body; and

a coupling extension projecting from the extension body and configured to couple the extension body to a wire tensioner.

2 . The wire tensioner tip of claim 1 , wherein the engagement body includes one or more projections.

3 . The wire tensioner tip of claim 2 , wherein the one or more projections comprise a plurality of teeth extending from a surface of the engagement body.

4 . The wire tensioner tip of claim 2 , wherein the engagement body includes a central projection extending from a center of the engagement body.

5 . The wire tensioner tip of claim 2 , wherein the engagement body includes a first side projection extending from a first end of the engagement body and a second side projection extending from a second end of the engagement body.

6 . The wire tensioner tip of claim 1 , wherein the engagement body has a substantially rectangular shape.

7 . The wire tensioner tip of claim 1 , wherein the engagement body has a substantially triangular shape.

8 . The wire tensioner tip of claim 1 , wherein the extension body and the coupling extension define a wire receiving channel extending therethrough.

9 . The wire tensioner tip of claim 8 , wherein the wire receiving channel is aligned with a horizontal axis of the extension body.

10 . The wire tensioner tip of claim 1 , wherein the first extension defines a slot extending from a first end into the first extension.

11 . The wire tensioner tip of claim 1 , wherein the first extension has a first length and the second extension has a second length less than the first length.

12 . The wire tensioner tip of claim 1 , wherein the coupling extension comprises a boss.

13 . A wire tensioner, comprising:

a tensioning body comprising a handle portion and a tensioner, wherein the handle portion includes a first handle and a second handle configured to actuate the tensioner, and wherein the tensioner is configured to apply a force to a wire inserted into the tensioner; and

a tensioner tip coupled to the tensioning body, comprising:

a tip body having a first extension and a second extension spaced apart to define a ring slot;

an engagement body disposed at least partially within the ring slot of a ring having an outer surface and a plurality of notches defined in an outer edge, wherein the engagement body includes a rectangular block with a central protrusion and side protrusions that are sized to seat in one of the plurality of notches for straight and angled engagements, the engagement body being fixed to the tip body and thereby non-pivoting with respect to the tip body and is configured to engage the outer surface of the ring when positioned within the ring slot.

14 . The wire tensioner of claim 13 , wherein the tensioner tip is removable from the tensioner.

15 . The wire tensioner of claim 13 , wherein the engagement body includes one or more projections.

16 . The wire tensioner of claim 13 , wherein the tensioner tip and the tensioner define a channel sized and configured to receive a wire therethrough.

17 . A system, comprising:

a circular fixator comprising at least one ring defining an elongated slot extending through its thickness with a plurality of notches formed in the ring adjacent the slot;

a wire fixation element sized and configured to be positioned within the slot of the circular fixator; and

a wire tensioner comprising:

a tensioning body comprising a handle portion and a tensioner, wherein the handle portion includes a first handle and a second handle configured to actuate the tensioner, and wherein the tensioner is configured to apply a force to a wire inserted into the tensioner; and

a tensioner tip coupled to the tensioning body, comprising:

a tip body having a first extension and a second extension spaced apart to define a ring slot sized and configured to receive the at least one ring; and

an engagement body disposed at least partially within the ring slot, wherein the engagement body includes a rectangular block with a central protrusion and side protrusions that are sized to seat in one of the plurality of notches for straight and angled engagements, the engagement body being fixed to the tip body and thereby non-pivoting with respect to the tip body and is configured to engage the outer surface of the ring when positioned within the ring slot.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the tensioner tip is removable from the tensioning body.

19 . A method, comprising:

coupling a wire to a first fastener and a second fastener, wherein the wire extends through at least a first bone, and wherein each of the first fastener and the second fastener are coupled to a ring of a circular fixator having an elongated slot extending through its thickness with a plurality of notches formed in the ring adjacent the slot;

tightening the first fastener to lock a first end of the wire in a fixed position;

coupling a wire tensioner to a second end of the wire, wherein the wire tensioner comprises:

a tensioning body including a tensioner defining a channel sized and configured to receive the wire therethrough; and

a tensioner tip coupled to the tensioning body, comprising:

a tip body having a first extension and a second extension spaced apart to define a ring slot sized and configured to receive the ring therein; and

an engagement body disposed at least partially within the ring slot, wherein the engagement body includes a rectangular block with a central protrusion and side protrusions that are sized to seat in one of the plurality of notches for straight and angled engagements, the engagement body being fixed to the tip body and thereby non-pivoting with respect to the tip body and is configured to engage the outer surface of the ring when positioned within the ring slot;

tensioning the wire, wherein the tensioner is configured to apply a tensioning force to the wire; and

tightening the second fastener to lock the second end of the wire in a fixed position.