Tubular External Fixator – AO ⌀11 mm System
The AO-type Tubular External Fixator (11 mm System) is a highly modular, robust external fixation solution engineered for stabilizing complex fractures — especially in long bones like the tibia, femur, and pelvis. Its design delivers superior mechanical strength, surgical flexibility, and reliable support even under challenging clinical conditions.
Key Advantages & Features
- High Load-bearing Capacity: Utilizes 11 mm tubular rods (available in lightweight aluminum or radiolucent carbon fiber) for enhanced mechanical stability, making it ideal for larger bone segments.
- Modular & Versatile Design: Compatible with a wide array of clamps and connecting components — including rod-pin clamps, rod-rod clamps, and multipin clamps — to build delta, unilateral, or bilateral frame configurations.
- Schanz Screw Compatibility: Works with 5 mm and 6 mm self-tapping or self-drilling Schanz screws, providing strong bone anchorage.
- Configurable for Multiple Scenarios: Supports open fractures, polytrauma cases, and septic bone situations.
- Proven Stability: Modular external fixator systems like this allow for secure constructs that can be adjusted post-operatively, with good stiffness in multiple planes.
- Durable Clamps: Made of high-grade aluminum with locking mechanisms, offering both snap-on and open clamp options for pin-to-rod and rod-to-rod connections.
- Wide Length Range: Rod lengths available from 150 mm to 400 mm, enabling precise frame customization for different anatomies.
Clinical Applications
- Trauma Stabilization: Perfect for open fractures, especially in the lower extremity, where wound access and soft tissue management are critical.
- Polytrauma & Emergency Use: Provides a fast, reliable external fixator option in acute settings where internal fixation is not immediately feasible.
- Infection Cases: Well-suited for septic non-union thanks to its external configuration and adjustability.
- Definitive or Temporary Fixation: Can be used as a temporary stabilizer or maintained as a definitive external frame, depending on patient needs.
Biomechanical & Surgical Insights
- Frame Construction: According to AO principles, a modular external fixator with rod-to-rod connections offers good stiffness, especially when building delta or multi-planar frames.
- Safe Pin Placement: Surgeons can insert pins via safe corridors, minimizing soft tissue damage while ensuring frame rigidity.
- Post-Operative Adjustment: The system’s modularity allows for intra- and post-surgical adjustments, and the addition of neutralization rods can further enhance stability.
| Component | Dimension and Features |
|---|---|
| Rod Diameter | 11 mm |
| Rod Material | Aluminum or Carbon Fiber |
| Rod Lengths | 150 mm, 200 mm, 250 mm, 300 mm, 350 mm, 400 mm |
| Clamp Types | Open & Snap-on for rod-pin / rod-rod; multipin clamps |
| Schanz Screw Compatibility | 5 mm and 6 mm self-tapping/self-drilling |
| Supported Configurations | Delta, unilateral, bilateral, multi-plane |
