HALF PINS FOR EXTERNAL FIXATORS
The invention is a half pin for use in conjunction with external fixators, in which the half pin has a thin hydroxyapatite coating over a substantial portion thereof, a not-sharp hole-finding tip, and a variable pitch pattern in the threaded portion of the half pin. The hydroxyapatite coating must be thin—40-70 microns, deposited by plasma spray—and with limited porosity and pore size, and must extend not only over all the threads of the half pin but also a substantial portion of the unthreaded shaft proximal to the threaded end. The invention also includes a pin cube for use in association with the coated half pins. Wires may also be coated with the hydroxyapatite coating.
1 . An apparatus for orienting a bone fixation pin relative to an external fixator ring, the apparatus comprising:
a jig defining a first through hole configured to receive said a bone fixation pin therethrough, said jig defining a second through hole configured to cooperate with said first through hole to concurrently receive and align said a bone fixation pin through said first through hole and said second through hole, said jig defining a third through hole configured to receive said a bone fixation pin therethrough, said jig defining a fourth through hole configured to cooperate with said third through hole, alternatively to said first through hole and said second through hole, to concurrently receive and align said a bone fixation pin through said third through hole and said fourth through hole.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a threaded member,
wherein said jig defines a fifth through hole, and said threaded member extends through said fifth through hole into abutment with said bone fixation pin.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said jig comprises a first face portion defining said first through hole and said third through hole, said jig comprises a second face portion defining said second through hole and said fourth through hole, and said jig comprises a third face potion defining said fifth through hole.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said jig is generally cuboidal.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said threaded member comprises at least one of a bolt and a screw.
6 . An apparatus for fixating a bone, the apparatus comprising:
an external fixator ring defining a plurality of apertures;
a bone fixation pin; and
a jig coupled to said external fixator ring through at least one of said apertures,
wherein said jig defines a first through hole configured to receive said a bone fixation pin therethrough, said jig defines a second through hole configured to cooperate with said first through hole to concurrently receive and align said a bone fixation pin through said first through hole and said second through hole, said jig defines a third through hole configured to receive said a bone fixation pin therethrough, and said jig defines a fourth through hole configured to cooperate with said third through hole, alternatively to said first through hole and said second through hole, to concurrently receive and align said a bone fixation pin through said third through hole and said fourth through hole.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising:
a threaded member,
wherein said jig defines a fifth through hole, and said threaded member extends through said fifth through hole into abutment with said bone fixation pin.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said jig comprises a first face portion defining said first through hole and said third through hole, said jig comprises a second face portion defining said second through hole and said fourth through hole, and said jig comprises a third face potion defining said fifth through hole.
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said jig is generally cuboidal.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said threaded member comprises at least one of a bolt and a screw.
11 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one of said apertures comprises an arcuately extending slot.
12 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the at least one of said apertures comprises an arcuately extending slot.
13 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the at least one of said apertures comprises an arcuately extending slot.
14 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of said apertures comprises an arcuately extending slot.
15 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one of said apertures comprises an arcuately extending slot.
16 . An apparatus for fixating a bone, the apparatus comprising:
an external fixator ring;
a bone fixation pin; and
a means for defining a first plurality of through holes and a second plurality of through holes configured to alternatively receive said bone fixation pin therethrough in a first respective orientation relative to said external fixator ring and a second respective orientation relative to said external fixator ring.