US 12,440,241 B2
Controller module for strut adjustment
Chulho Pak, Mahwah, NJ (US); Subash K. Mannanal, Mahwah, NJ (US); Peter Sterrantino, Palisades Park, NJ (US); Noah Roberson, Mahwah, NJ (US); Anup Kumar, Gurgaon (IN); and Andrew J. Nelson, New City, NY (US)
Assigned to Stryker European Operations Limited, Carrigtwohill (IE)
Filed by Stryker European Operations Limited, Carrigtwohill (IE)
Filed on Dec. 19, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/545,044.
Application 18/545,044 is a continuation of application No. 18/160,780, filed on Jan. 27, 2023, granted, now 11,896,267.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/310,174, filed on Feb. 15, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0115294 A1, Apr. 11, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/66 (2006.01); A61B 17/62 (2006.01); A61B 17/64 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/62 (2013.01) [A61B 17/66 (2013.01); A61B 17/645 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An external fixation system comprising:
a first fixation plate;
a second fixation plate;
a plurality of struts, each strut having a first joint proximate a first end of the strut, a second joint proximate a second end of the strut opposite the first end, and an actuator configured to change an effective length of the strut; and
a plurality of controller modules, each controller module configured to couple to a corresponding strut;
wherein in an assembled condition of the external fixation system, the plurality of struts couple the first fixation plate to the second fixation plate;
wherein the external fixation system has a manual mode of operation in which there is no coupling between any of the plurality of controller modules and any of the plurality of struts, and manual actuation of one of the actuators is configured to change the effective length of the corresponding strut; and
wherein the external fixation system has an automated mode of operation in which each of the controller modules is coupled to the corresponding strut, and motorized actuation of one of the actuators is configured to change the effective length of the corresponding strut,
wherein the actuator of each strut includes a strut gear,
wherein each controller module includes a controller gear and a collar, the collar having two prongs defining an open space therebetween, the open space of the collar being sized and shaped to receive a portion of the corresponding strut therein so that, in the automated mode of operation, the controller gear interfaces with the strut gear.