Methods and systems for adjusting an external fixation frame

Abstract

A tool for implementing a correction plan in an external fixation frame having a plurality of adjustment elements or screws, for example, generally includes a driver, a motor, a controller, and a processor. The driver is adapted to engage and rotate each of the screws. The motor is coupled the driver and adapted to rotate the driver. The controller is connected to the motor and configured to control operation of the motor. The a processor adapted configured to: receive correction plan data; receive identification data including information for identifying at least one of the plurality of screws; determine movement of at least one of the plurality of the screws based on the correction plan data and the identification data; and send signals indicative of the determined movement to the controller in order to rotate at least one of the plurality of screws according to a predetermined correction plan.

1 . A tool for implementing a correction plan in an external fixation frame having a first fixation ring coupled to a second fixation ring by a plurality of adjustable-length struts, the tool comprising:
 a driver adapted to engage and rotate a portion of each of the adjustable-length struts to change a length of the adjustable-length struts;   a motor operatively coupled the driver and adapted to rotate the driver;   a controller operatively connected to the motor and configured to control operation of the motor;   a memory module configured to store correction plan data; and   a processor adapted and configured to (i) receive correction plan data from the memory module, (ii) receive identification data including information for identifying at least one of the adjustable-length struts, (iii) determine a desired length change of the at least one of the adjustable-length struts based on the received correction plan data and the identification data, and (iv) send a signal indicative of the desired length change to the controller in order to rotate the portion of the at least one of the adjustable-length struts according to the received correction plan data,   wherein, upon premature disengagement of the driver from the portion of the at least one of the adjustable-length struts prior to completion of the desired length change, the controller is configured to receive, from the processor, a signal indicative of the premature disengagement.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising an RFID reader adapted to receive a signal containing identification data originating from RFID tags attached to each of the plurality of adjustable-length struts. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a bus device adapted to establish communication and allow data transfer between the processor of the tool and an external processor. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 3 , wherein the bus device is a USB device. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising an angular position sensor coupled to at least one of the motor or the driver, the angular position sensor being adapted to measure an angular position of the driver. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 5 , wherein the angular position sensor includes a rotary encoder. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 5 , wherein the angular position sensor is disposed on a shaft of the motor. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 5 , wherein the angular position sensor is disposed on the driver. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the correction plan data includes adjustment times for adjusting the external fixation frame. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 9 , further comprising an alarm operably connected to the processor and adapted to be actuated at the adjustment times. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a display unit operably connected to the processor and adapted to display correction plan data. 
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 11 , wherein, following adjusting the at least one adjustable-length strut according to the desired length change, the display unit is configured to display an indication that the adjustment is completed.