Adjustment instrument with tactile feedback

1. A tool for actuating one or more of a plurality of struts of an external fixation frame comprising:

a handle portion; and

a driving portion coupled to the handle portion, the driving portion having an inner engagement portion configured to directly couple to a movable portion of each of the struts, an outer engagement portion configured to directly couple to a non-movable portion of each of the struts, and a feedback mechanism coupled to the inner and outer engagement portions;

wherein in a first partially engaged condition of the tool, rotation of the inner engagement portion with respect to the outer engagement portion does not cause the feedback mechanism to rotate with respect to the outer engagement portion; and

wherein in a second fully engaged condition of the tool, rotation of the inner engagement portion with respect to the outer engagement portion does cause the feedback mechanism to rotate with respect to the outer engagement portion so that the feedback mechanism provides audible or tactile feedback regarding an amount of rotation of the inner engagement portion with respect to the outer engagement portion,

wherein the inner engagement portion is at least partially received within the outer engagement portion.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the movable portion of each strut is a rotatable portion, and the feedback mechanism is rotatable with respect to both the inner and outer engagement portions.

3. The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a plunger having an inner portion positioned at least partially within the inner engagement portion, and an outer portion positioned at least partially between the inner engagement portion and the outer engagement portions, the plunger being axially translatable with respect to the inner and outer engagement portions.

4. The tool of claim 3 , wherein the feedback mechanism has a first mating structure and the outer portion of the plunger has a second mating structure corresponding to the first mating structure.

5. The tool of claim 4 , wherein the plunger has a first axial position in the partially engaged condition of the tool in which the first mating structure is disengaged with the second mating structure, and a second axial position in the fully engaged condition of the tool in which the first mating structure is engaged with the second mating structure, the plunger being rotationally fixed with respect to the feedback mechanism when the plunger is in the second axial position.

6. The tool of claim 5 , wherein the outer engagement portion includes at least one ball detent mechanism and the feedback mechanism includes a plurality of recesses configured to engage the at least one ball detent mechanism.

7. The tool of claim 4 , wherein the first mating structure of the feedback mechanism and the second feedback structure of the outer portion of the plunger are both grooves.

8. An external fixation frame system comprising:

a first ring;

a second ring;

at least three struts configured to couple the first ring to the second ring, each strut having a rotatable head portion and a counter torque portion; and

an adjustment tool including a handle portion, a driver portion having an inner engagement portion for directly engaging the head portion of the strut, an outer engagement portion for directly engaging the counter torque portion of the strut, and a feedback mechanism rotatably coupled to the inner and outer engagement portions,

wherein in a first partially engaged condition of the tool, rotation of the inner engagement portion with respect to the outer engagement portion does not cause the feedback mechanism to rotate with respect to the outer engagement portion; and

wherein in a second fully engaged condition of the tool, rotation of the inner engagement portion with respect to the outer engagement portion does cause the feedback mechanism to rotate with respect to the outer engagement portion so that the feedback mechanism provides audible or tactile feedback regarding an amount of rotation of the inner engagement portion with respect to the outer engagement portion,

wherein the inner engagement portion is at least partially received within the outer engagement portion.

9. The external fixation frame system of claim 8 , wherein the tool is devoid of motors and electronic components.

10. The external fixation frame system of claim 8 , wherein the tool further comprises a plunger having an inner portion positioned at least partially within the inner engagement portion, and an outer portion positioned at least partially between the inner engagement portion and the outer engagement portions, the plunger being axially translatable with respect to the inner and outer engagement portions.

11. The external fixation frame system of claim 10 , wherein the feedback mechanism has a first mating structure and the outer portion of the plunger has a second mating structure corresponding to the first mating structure.

12. The external fixation frame system of claim 11 , wherein the plunger has a first axial position in the partially engaged condition of the tool in which the first mating structure is disengaged with the second mating structure, and a second axial position in the fully engaged condition of the tool in which the first mating structure is engaged with the second mating structure, the plunger being rotationally fixed with respect to the feedback mechanism when the plunger is in the second axial position.

13. The external fixation frame system of claim 12 , wherein the outer engagement portion includes at least one ball detent mechanism and the feedback mechanism includes a plurality of recesses configured to engage the at least one ball detent mechanism.

14. The external fixation frame system of claim 11 , wherein the first mating structure of the feedback mechanism and the second feedback structure of the outer portion of the plunger are both grooves.