Modular Orthopedic Clamps

Abstract

An orthopedic clamp to assist in reducing the displacement between bone ends of a fracture, and to position a fixation device, during open fracture reduction surgery is described. The clamp includes a holder to hold the fixation device against the bone. The clamp may also swivel in relation to the holder while the position of the fixation device remains unchanged. The clamp may be modular so that components thereof may be released and/or attached.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device to assist in surgery, comprising:
 a first tong that includes a distal end which is configured to engage a fractured bone;   a second tong that includes a distal end, and that is moveably coupled to the first tong;   a holder that is moveably coupled to the distal end of the second tong and that is configured to position a fixation plate between the holder and the fractured bone.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the holder includes a frame surrounding an opening which provides access to the fixation plate. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the frame is sized to engage edges of the fixation plate. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the frame includes two sides and two ends, and wherein the two sides form lips that engage two edges of the fixation plate. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the two ends form lips that engage two other edges of the fixation plate. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the holder is moveably coupled to the distal end of the second tong by a swivel. 
     
     
         7 . An orthopedic clamp for assisting with open fracture reduction surgery, comprising:
 a first tong that includes a distal end which is configured to engage a fractured bone;   a second tong that is movably coupled to the first tong and that includes a release mechanism;   a releasable portion that is releasably attached to the release mechanism, wherein the releasable portion includes a frame that is configured to position a fixation plate between the frame and the fractured bone.   
     
     
         8 . The orthopedic clamp of  claim 7 , wherein the frame is rotatable relative to the second tong. 
     
     
         9 . The orthopedic clamp of  claim 7 , wherein the frame comprises polyphenylsulfone, polyetherimide, polyether etherketone or a carbon fiber reinforced polyketone or polyether etherketone. 
     
     
         10 . The orthopedic clamp of  claim 7 , further comprising a swivel, attached between the frame and the second tong, wherein the swivel allows the frame to rotate relative to the second tong. 
     
     
         11 . The orthopedic clamp of  claim 7 , wherein the release mechanism includes a lever or flip switch assembly with an extendable and retractable pin that engages the frame. 
     
     
         12 . The orthopedic clamp of  claim 11 , wherein the frame includes a tab having a slot and a hole and the pin that has a first diameter that corresponds to the slot and a second diameter that corresponds to the hole. 
     
     
         13 . The orthopedic clamp of  claim 12 , wherein the release mechanism includes a tab having a width that corresponds to the width of the slot. 
     
     
         14 . The orthopedic clamp of  claim 11 , wherein the lever or flip switch assembly includes a housing attached to the second tong, and the pin is rotatable within the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The orthopedic clamp of  claim 12 , wherein the tab includes a bottom seat and the pin includes a third diameter that corresponds to the bottom seat. 
     
     
         16 . An orthopedic clamp for assisting with open fracture reduction surgery, comprising:
 a first tong that includes a proximal end having a handle and a distal end which is configured to engage a fractured bone or bone ends;   a second tong that includes a proximal end having a second handle, a mechanism rotatably attaching the second tong to the first tong, and a release mechanism, wherein the release mechanism includes a keyless chuck having a non-circular receptacle; and   a releasable portion that includes:
 a holder which comprises a radiolucent matter and which is configured to position a fixation plate between the holder and the fractured bone or bone ends; 
 a swivel that is connected to the holder and that allows the holder to rotate relative to the second tong; and 
 a pin that is connected to the swivel and that has a non-circular cross-section which releasably engages the receptacle. 
   
     
     
         17 . The orthopedic clamp of  claim 16 , wherein the release mechanism includes a secondary lock mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The orthopedic clamp of  claim 17 , wherein the holder includes a frame comprising a polyphenylsulfate, polyetherimide, polyether etherketone or a carbon fiber reinforced polyketone or polyether etherketone material. 
     
     
         19 . The orthopedic clamp of  claim 18 , wherein the frame surrounds an opening which provides access to the fixation plate. 
     
     
         20 . The orthopedic clamp of  claim 18 , wherein the frame includes one or more lips that engage one or more edges of the fixation plate.