DYNAMIC COMPRESSION PLATING SYSTEM
CoLink® Mini
With Tapered Compression Slot
Low Profile, Anatomic Design, Type II Anodized
Comprehensive Plating System Designed to Address a Variety of Fractures and Fusions
CoLink® Mini With Tapered Compression Slot
Surgical Technique
BONE PREPARATION
Align the bones to be fused in the desired position and hold them in place with a temporary K-Wire. The provided Reduction Forceps can be used to maintain alignment and compression of the fracture or osteotomy during temporary fixation.
PLATE SELECTION
Use the supplied Plate Trials to determine Plate selection. Once selected, position the Plate in the desired location. If additional contouring is needed, use the supplied Plate Benders. Take care not to bend across a Plate hole. Temporarily fix the Plate with Olive Wires using the middle and distal holes in the Plate.
ASSOCIATED DRILL GUIDES
A) Locking Drill Guide towers are provided for the on-axis Locking Screws.
B) For more efficient on-axis hole preparation, use the Speed Drill Guide.
C) Non-Locking Drill Guide is provided for placing Non-Locking Screws off-axis.
D) For dynamic compression in the Compression Slot Hole only, use the Compression Slot Drill Guide. [See “Compression Guide” below)
E) Variable Angle Non-Locking Drill Guide is provided for placing Variable Angle Locking Screws off-axis with 30° of variability.
Drill Guide / Depth Gauge Options
Determine Screw length from the calibrated Drill markings to the top of the Drill Guide or via supplied Depth Gauge.
The Laser marked Drills can be used with Drill Guides to measure Screw lengths.
Non-Locking & Speed Drill Guides
Non-locking Drill Guide uses calibrated Drill for screw length measurement, or use the supplied Depth Gauge.
Locking Drill Guides
Locking Drill Guide uses calibrated Drill for screw length measurement, or use the supplied Depth Gauge.
Variable Angle Drill Guides
Variable Angle Drill Guide. Use the supplied Depth Gauge for screw length measurement.
INITIAL SCREW INSERTION
The initial Screw should be inserted into the most proximal hole. It is recommended to use a Non-Locking Screw to help reduce the plate down to the bone. Use the associated NL Drill Guide and Drill Bit to drill to desired depth. Measure with the Depth Gauge to determine Screw length. Insert the appropriate Screw size. 2.4mm or 2.7mm diameter Locking, Non-Locking, and 2.7mm Variable Angle Locking Screws are available to use with the Plates.
COMPRESSION SCREW PREP & INSERTION
For dynamic compression, use the Compression Slot Drill Guide and Drill to drill the Screw hole in the Compression Slot. The arrow laser marked on the Compression Slot Drill Guide handle indicates the direction of compression. Be sure to hold the Compression Slot Drill Guide against the slot wall opposite of the compression direction for proper eccentric drilling. After drilling, measure for the proper Screw depth. Start the Non-Locking Screw in the Compression Slot drill hole until the head of the Screw touches the plate, then remove the distal Olive Wire and temporary fixation K-Wire. Once the Olive Wire and K-Wire are removed, continue to seat the Non-Locking Screw until the Screw head is seated flush with the Plate inside the Compression Slot. Approximately 1mm of dynamic compression can be achieved using the Compression Slot ramp.
INSERT REMAINING SCREWS
Once compression has been achieved, finish inserting the remaining screws. Close by preferred methods.
REMOVAL TECHNIQUE
For removal, use the supplied CoLink® Mini instrument set to first remove the plate screws and finally remove the plate from the bone.