Single lock external fixation clamp arrangement and method

Abstract

A clamping device for an external fixation system includes a post component having a yaw axis, a first clamp secured to the post component and rotatable about the yaw axis, and a second clamp secured to the post component and rotatable about the yaw axis relative to the first clamp. The device includes a tightening component configured in a manner that an action of tightening the tightening component simultaneously locks both the first and second clamps in a gripping arrangement and substantially eliminates their relative rotation about the yaw axis. Interdigitating components can be spaced apart by high spring rate biasing elements that so as to allow for smooth adjustment of the clamping device components relative to each other until the appropriate position is achieved and until after a sufficiently high clamping load has been applied.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A clamping device for an external fixation system, comprising:
 a post defining a yaw axis;   a first bar clamp received on the post, the first bar clamp being configured to receive and secure a first bar of the external fixation system;   a second bar clamp received on the post, the second bar clamp being configured to receive and secure a second bar of the external fixation system, a bar disposed within jaws of the first bar clamp or the second bar clamp defining a roll axis, and the clamping device being configured to rotate about the roll axis when a bar is received within the jaws of the first bar clamp or the second bar clamp; and   a pin clamp disposed between the first and second bar clamps on the post, the pin clamp being configured to receive and secure at least one pin of the external fixation system,   wherein the first bar clamp, the second bar clamp, and the pin clamp are configured to rotate relative to each other about the yaw axis.   
     
     
         3 . The clamping device of  claim 2 , further comprising a first saddle received on the post between the first bar clamp and the pin clamp, the first saddle comprising a concave portion mated with and moveable relative to a convex portion of the first bar clamp. 
     
     
         4 . The clamping device of  claim 3 , wherein the concave portion of the first saddle and the convex portion of the first bar clamp each have friction enhancing features, the friction enhancing features selectively interdigitating with each other to restrict rotation of the first bar clamp relative to the first saddle. 
     
     
         5 . The clamping device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the concave portion of the first saddle comprises a concave cylindrical surface facing the first bar clamp and defining a pitch axis; and   the first bar clamp comprises:
 a first outer jaw; and 
 a first inner jaw, the convex portion of the first bar clamp comprising an outer convex cylindrical surface of the first inner jaw, the first outer and inner jaws together forming an opening for receiving the first bar of the external fixation system, the concave cylindrical surface of the first saddle interfacing with the convex cylindrical surface of the first inner jaw, the first bar clamp being rotatable relative to the first saddle and the post about the pitch axis. 
   
     
     
         6 . The clamping device of  claim 5 , wherein the concave cylindrical surface of the first saddle and the convex cylindrical surface of the first inner jaw each have friction enhancing features; the friction enhancing features selectively interdigitating with each other to restrict rotation of the first bar clamp relative to the first saddle about the pitch axis. 
     
     
         7 . The clamping device of  claim 3 , wherein the first saddle comprises a pin clamp interfacing portion facing and configured to engage a first saddle interfacing portion of the pin clamp. 
     
     
         8 . The clamping device of  claim 7 , wherein the pin clamp interfacing portion of the first saddle and the first saddle interfacing portion of the pin clamp each have friction enhancing features, the friction enhancing features selectively interdigitating with each other to restrict rotation of the first saddle relative to the pin clamp about the yaw axis. 
     
     
         9 . The clamping device of  claim 2 , further comprising a second saddle received on the post between the second bar clamp and the pin clamp, the second saddle comprising a concave portion mated with and moveable relative to a convex portion of the second bar clamp. 
     
     
         10 . The clamping device of  claim 9 , wherein the concave portion of the second saddle and the convex portion of the second bar clamp each have friction enhancing features, the friction enhancing features selectively interdigitating with each other to restrict rotation of the second bar clamp relative to the second saddle. 
     
     
         11 . The clamping device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the concave portion of the second saddle comprises a concave cylindrical surface facing the second bar clamp and defining a pitch axis; and   the second bar clamp comprises:
 a second outer jaw; and 
 a second inner jaw, the convex portion of the second bar clamp comprising an outer convex cylindrical surface of the second inner jaw, the second outer and inner jaws together forming an opening for receiving the second bar of the external fixation system, the concave cylindrical surface of the second saddle interfacing with the convex cylindrical surface of the second inner jaw, the second bar clamp being rotatable relative to the second saddle and the post about the pitch axis. 
   
     
     
         12 . The clamping device of  claim 11 , wherein the concave cylindrical surface of the second saddle and the convex cylindrical surface of the second inner jaw each have friction enhancing features, the friction enhancing features selectively interdigitating with each other to restrict rotation of the second bar clamp relative to the second saddle. 
     
     
         13 . The clamping device of  claim 9 , wherein the second saddle comprises a pin clamp interfacing portion facing and configured to engage a second saddle interfacing portion of the pin clamp. 
     
     
         14 . The clamping device of  claim 7 , wherein the pin clamp interfacing portion of the second saddle and the second saddle interfacing portion of the pin clamp each have friction enhancing features; the friction enhancing features selectively interdigitating with each other to restrict rotation of the second saddle relative to the pin clamp about the yaw axis. 
     
     
         15 . The clamping device of  claim 2 , further comprising a pitch axis, the pitch axis being an axis about which the first bar clamp or the second bar clamp rotate relative to a respective saddle disposed between the respective bar clamp and the pin clamp, the pitch axis being defined by a concave cylindrical portion of the respective saddle. 
     
     
         16 . The clamping device of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the first bar clamp comprises:
 a first outer jaw; and 
 a first inner jaw, the first outer and inner jaws together forming an opening for receiving the first bar of the external fixation system, and 
   wherein the second bar clamp comprises:
 a second outer jaw; and 
 a second inner jaw, the second outer and inner jaws together forming an opening for receiving the second bar of the external fixation system. 
   
     
     
         17 . The clamping device of  claim 2 , wherein the pin clamp comprises two jaws, each of the two jaws comprising an inner clamp face, the inner clamp faces of the two jaws facing one another and configured to receive and capture the at least one pin of the external fixation system. 
     
     
         18 . The clamping device of  claim 17 , wherein each of the inner clamp faces of the two jaws of the pin clamp comprises at least one groove, the at least one grooves of each of the inner clamp faces being aligned with one another and together configured to receive and capture the at least one pin of the external fixation system. 
     
     
         19 . The clamping device of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one groove of each of the inner clamp faces of the two jaws of the pin clamp comprises one of four, six or eight grooves. 
     
     
         20 . The clamping device of  claim 19 , wherein each of the inner clamp faces of the two jaws of the pin clamp comprises a central notch, the central notches being generally perpendicular to the at least one grooves. 
     
     
         21 . The clamping device of  claim 20 , wherein the central notches extend completely across each of the inner clamp faces of the two jaws of the pin clamp.