Caracterización Mecánica del Fijador Multiaxial ATLAS para Fracturas de Huesos

Abstract

Mechanical properties of a new low-cost unilateral multiaxial external fixator (ATLAS) developed for our group are presented. This is a double-bar fixator assembled with six-degrees-of-freedom connectors so that the entire fixator allows six degrees of freedom between bone fragments. A computational and experimental procedure was developed to obtain the interfragmentary flexibility matrix of the fixator. This study was also undertaken with other three fixators, two imported and one national frequently used in our region. The stiffness of the new fixator was in the range of stiffnesses obtained for the others. Even with the double-bar configuration, which gives good stability and stiffness to the assembly, the ATLAS fixator allows six degrees of freedom between bone fragments, so that the surgeon can reduce the fracture accurately. From the biomechanical point of view, this fixator is ready for clinical evaluation.