Wingman Tool-less External Fixator Clamp

Overview

The Wingman is a modular external fixation clamp that is applied entirely by hand. Wing-shaped handles give the surgeon the torque needed to tighten the clamp, and a snap-in retention prevents unintended unlocking — no wrench or other instrument is required.

A single clamp accepts a Ø5 mm pin and up to two Ø11 mm rods, so the same part serves for pin-to-rod and rod-to-rod connections.

Key features

• Tool-less application — no additional instruments needed
• Wing-shaped handles for high tightening torque
• Snap-in retention against unintended unlocking
• One clamp for Ø5 mm pins and up to two Ø11 mm rods
• Designed for injection moulding and mass production; can also be 3D printed

Our contribution

Design and development of the modular fixation clamp.

The idea is a tool-less modular fixation clamp that is always ready to use, without the need for additional instruments. That not only reduces costs, it also makes the clamp faster to apply — see the study below. The design can be 3D printed but, more importantly, injection moulded and mass produced: the ideal product to increase the resilience of the trauma care system in times of crisis and catastrophe.

Biomechanical evaluation

Surgeons from BG Klinikum Hamburg, the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and the Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg compared the Wingman with the established AO external fixator. Christian Lutz of Bluewater Medical is a co-author.

• 24 surgeons — residents, fellows and attendings — each built both systems on a synthetic femur
• 16 of 24 surgeons applied the Wingman faster than the AO system
• Identical failure rate under a 150 N load: 1 of 24 constructs per system
• No significant difference in construct deformation

Comparison of a Novel Tool-less External Fixator Clamp with an Established System Regarding Handling and Stability
Frese J, Barth T, Münch M, Keller J, Johann M, Lutz C, Schulz A-P. Journal of Military and Veterans’ Health, 2024; 32(4).