METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AND ADJUSTING RELIABILITY OF FIXATION OF BONE FRAGMENTS Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: traumatology; orthopedics. SUBSTANCE: patient's bone fragments are joined together by means of externally fixable device. Strain gauges are placed into gap defined by three threaded rods of fixing device, in cross-sectional plane extending through joint between bone fragments. Next metered-out load is applied by moving supports along threaded rods. Bone fragment joint area with external fixing device applied thereon are subjected to X-raying to take roentgenogram. Roentgenograms thus-taken are processed by computer to definite contours of bone fragments joint section and to locate coordinates of its center, whereas readings of strain gauges are used to calculate value of resultant forces applied to each rod and to establish coordinates of point, at which forces are applied in joint section. Finally, by adjusting lengths of rods, traumatologist establishes required relationship or distance between point, at which resultant force is applied, and center of bone fragments joint section. EFFECT: higher efficiency. 3 dwg