Acetabular cup positioning apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus suitable for positioning a prosthetic acetabular cup within an acetabulum, said cup having a recessed surface dimensioned to mate with a prosthetic femoral head, said apparatus comprising: A. a pusher ball, for pressing the acetabular cup into the acetabulum, said pusher ball including an outer surface adapted to generally mate with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup; B. a pusher arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said pusher ball; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; C. a positioner flange having first and second major opposite surfaces; D. a positioner arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said flange; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; and E. means for removably engaging said flange with said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm to face said first major surface of said flange with said pusher ball along said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm, said removable engaging means comprising an edge surface connecting said first and second major surfaces of said flange and a portion of said edge surface extending from a first location on the periphery of said major surfaces generally to the center of said major surfaces and back to a second location on the periphery of said major surfaces to define a slot dimensioned to receive a part of said intermediate portion of said pusher arm; and F. adjustable means for releasably affixing: (1) said flange faced with said pusher ball to define a predetermined angle between said intermediate straight portions of said pusher arm and said positioner arm; and (2) said outer surface of said pusher ball generally mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup, so that said positioner flange and said positioner arm can be released and removed from said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm while said pusher ball remains mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup to maintain uninterrupted pressure on said acetabular cup.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said adjustable affixing means comprises: A. said pusher ball further including a lip; B. an elastomeric collar dimensioned to be received within said lip of said pusher ball with a major surface of said collar projecting from said lip in a plane generally parallel with said first major surface of said flange when said first major surface of said flange is faced with said pusher ball; and C. means for releasably pressing said first major surface of said flange against said major surface of said elastomeric collar to force said elastomeric collar outwards from said lip and against said recessed surface of said acetabular cup to releasably secure said acetabular cup to said pusher ball.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said releasable pressing means comprises: A. a threaded part of said intermediate portion of said pusher arm located between said part of said intermediate portion to be received within said slot and said second end portion of said pusher arm; and B. a retainer nut having a threaded portion receiving and mating with said threaded part so that said retainer nut can contact said second major surface of said flange and press said first major surface of said flange against said major surface of said elastomeric collar and force said elastomeric collar radially outwards.

Claim 5

The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: A. an anteversion pin; and B. means for affixing said anteversion pin with said second end portion of said positioner arm to define a predetermined angle between said anteversion pin and said intermediate portion of said pusher arm when said flange is affixed to said pusher arm.

Claim 6

Apparatus suitable for positioning a prosthetic acetabular cup within an acetabulum, said cup having a recessed surface dimensioned to mate with a prosthetic femoral head, said apparatus comprising: A. a pusher ball, for pressing the acetabular cup into the acetabulum, said pusher ball including an outer surface adapted to generally mate with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup; B. a pusher arm-including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said pusher ball; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; C. a positioner flange having first and second major opposite surfaces; D. a positioner arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said flange; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; and E. means for removably engaging said flange with said pusher arm to face said first major surface of said flange with said pusher ball along said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm, said removable engaging means comprising an edge surface connecting said first and second major surfaces of said flange and a portion of said edge surface extending from a first location on the periphery of said major surfaces generally to the center of said major surfaces and back to a second location on the periphery of said major surfaces to define a slot dimensioned to receive a part of said intermediate portion of said pusher arm; and F. adjustable means for releasably affixing: (1) said flange faced with said pusher ball to define a predetermined angle between said intermediate straight portions of said pusher arm and said positioner arm; and (2) said outer surface of said pusher ball generally mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup, so that said positioner flange and said positioner arm can be released and removed from said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm while said pusher ball remains mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup to maintain uninterrupted pressure on said acetabular cup.

Claim 7

Apparatus suitable for positioning a prosthetic acetabular cup within an acetabulum, said cup having a recessed surface dimensioned to mate with a prosthetic femoral head, said apparatus comprising: A. a pusher ball, for pressing the acetabular cup into the acetabulum, said pusher ball including an outer surface adapted to generally mate with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup; B. a pusher arm-including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said pusher ball; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; C. a positioner flange having first and second major opposite surfaces; D. a positioner arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said flange; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; and E. means for removably engaging said flange with said pusher arm to face said first major surface of said flange with said pusher ball along said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm, said removable engaging means comprising an edge surface connecting said first and second major surfaces of said flange and a portion of said edge surface extending from a first location on the periphery of said major surfaces generally to the center of said major surfaces and back to a second location on the periphery of said major surfaces to define a slot dimensioned to receive a part of said intermediate portion of said pusher arm; and F. adjustable means for releasably affixing: (1) said flange faced with said pusher ball to define a predetermined angle between said intermediate straight portions of said pusher arm and said positioner arm; and (2) said outer surface of said pusher ball generally mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup, so that said positioner flange and said positioner arm can be released and removed from said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm while said pusher ball remains mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup to maintain uninterrupted pressure on said acetabular cup.

Claim 8

Apparatus suitable for positioning a prosthetic acetabular cup within an acetabulum, said cup having a recessed surface dimensioned to mate with a prosthetic femoral head, said apparatus comprising: A. a pusher ball, for pressing the acetabular cup into the acetabulum, said pusher ball including an outer surface adapted to generally mate with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup; B. a pusher arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said pusher ball; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; C. a positioner flange having first and second major opposite surfaces; D. a positioner arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said flange;: (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; and E. means for removably engaging said flange with said pusher arm to face said first major surface of said flange with said pusher ball along said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm; and F. adjustable means for releasably affixing said flange faced with said pusher ball to define a predetermined angle between said intermediate straight portions of said pusher arm and said positioner arm and for releasably affixing said outer surface of said pusher ball generally mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup, so that said positioner flange and said positioner arm can be released and removed from said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm while said pusher ball remains mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup to maintain uninterrupted pressure on said acetabular cup, said adjustable affixing means comprising: (1) said pusher ball further including a lip; (2) an elastomeric collar dimensioned to be received within said lip of said pusher ball with a major surface of said collar projecting from said lip in a plane generally parallel with said first major surface of said flange when said first major surface of said flange is faced with said pusher ball; and (3) means for releasably pressing said first major surface of said flange against said major surface of said elastomeric collar to force said elastomeric collar outwards from said lip and against said recessed surface of said acetabular cup to releasably secure said acetabular cup to said pusher ball.

Claim 9

Apparatus suitable for positioning a prosthetic acetabular cup within an acetabulum, said cup having a recessed surface dimensioned to mate with a prosthetic femoral head, said apparatus comprising: A. a pusher ball, for pressing the acetabular cup into the acetabulum, said pusher ball including an outer surface adapted to generally mate with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup; B. a pusher arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said pusher ball; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; C. a positioner flange having first and second major opposite surfaces; D. a positioner arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said flange;: (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; and E. means for removably engaging said flange with said pusher arm to face said first major surface of said flange with said pusher ball along said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm; and F. adjustable means for releasably affixing said flange faced with said pusher ball to define a predetermined angle between said intermediate straight portions of said pusher arm and said positioner arm and for releasably affixing said outer surface of said pusher ball generally mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup, so that said positioner flange and said positioner arm can be released and removed from said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm while said pusher ball remains mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup to maintain uninterrupted pressure on said acetabular cup, said adjustable affixing means comprising: (1) said pusher ball further including a lip; (2) an elastomeric collar dimensioned to be received within said lip of said pusher ball with a major surface of said collar projecting from said lip in a plane generally parallel with said first major surface of said flange when said first major surface of said flange is faced with said pusher ball; and (3) means for releasably pressing said first major surface of said flange against said major surface of said elastomeric collar to force said elastomeric collar outwards from said lip and against said recessed surface of said acetabular cup to releasably secure said acetabular cup to said pusher ball.

Claim 10

The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said releasable pressing means comprises: A. a threaded part of said intermediate portion of said pusher arm located between said part of said intermediate portion to be received within said slot and said second end portion of said pusher arm; and B. a retainer nut having a threaded portion receiving and mating with said threaded part so that said retainer nut can contact said second major surface of said flange and press said first major surface of said flange against said major surface of said elastomeric collar and force said elastomeric collar radially outwards.

Claim 11

Apparatus suitable for positioning a prosthetic acetabular cup within an acetabulum, said cup having a recessed surface dimensioned to mate with a prosthetic femoral head, said apparatus comprising: A. a pusher ball, for pressing the acetabular cup into the acetabulum, said pusher ball including an outer surface adapted to generally mate with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup; B. a pusher arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said pusher ball; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; C. a positioner flange having first and second major opposite surfaces; D. a positioner arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said flange; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; and E. means for removably engaging said flange with said pusher arm to face said first major surface of said flange with said pusher ball along said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm; F. adjustable means for releasably affixing: (1) said flange faced with said pusher ball to define a predetermined angle between said intermediate straight portions of said pusher arm and said positioner arm; and (2) said outer surface of said pusher ball generally mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup, so that said positioner flange and said positioner arm can be released and removed from said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm-while said pusher ball remains mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup to maintain uninterrupted pressure on said acetabular cup; G. an anteversion pin; and H. means for affixing said anteversion pin with said second end portion of said positioner arm to define a predetermined angle between said anteversion pin and said intermediate portion of said pusher arm when said flange is affixed to said pusher arm.

Claim 12

Apparatus suitable for positioning a prosthetic acetabular cup within an acetabulum, said cup having a recessed surface dimensioned to mate with a prosthetic femoral head, said apparatus comprising: A. a pusher ball, for pressing the acetabular cup into the acetabulum, said pusher ball including an outer surface adapted to generally mate with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup; B. a pusher arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said pusher ball; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; C. a positioner flange having first and second major opposite surfaces; D. a positioner arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said flange; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; and E. means for removably engaging said flange with said pusher arm to face said first major surface of said flange with said pusher ball along said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm; F. adjustable means for releasably affixing: (1) said flange faced with said pusher ball to define a predetermined angle between said intermediate straight portions of said pusher arm and said positioner arm; and (2) said outer surface of said pusher ball generally mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup, so that said positioner flange and said positioner arm can be released and removed from said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm-while said pusher ball remains mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup to maintain uninterrupted pressure on said acetabular cup; G. an anteversion pin; and H. means for affixing said anteversion pin with said second end portion of said positioner arm to define a predetermined angle between said anteversion pin and said intermediate portion of said pusher arm when said flange is affixed to said pusher arm.

Claim 13

Apparatus suitable for positioning a prosthetic acetabular cup within an acetabulum, said cup having a recessed surface dimensioned to mate with a prosthetic femoral head, said apparatus comprising: A. a pusher ball, for pressing the acetabular cup into the acetabulum, said pusher ball including an outer surface adapted to generally mate with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup; B. a pusher arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said pusher ball; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; C. a positioner flange having first and second major opposite surfaces; D. a positioner arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said flange; (2) an intermediate straight portion; (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; and (4) means for visualizing said acetabular cup when said pusher ball is affixed generally mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup; E. means for removably engaging said flange with said pusher arm to face said first major surface of said flange with said pusher ball along said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm; and F. adjustable means for releasably affixing: (1) said flange faced with said pusher ball to define a predetermined angle between said intermediate straight portions of said pusher arm and said positioner arm; and (2) said outer surface of said pusher ball generally mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup, so that said positioner flange and said positioner arm can be released and removed from said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm while said pusher ball remains mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup to maintain uninterrupted pressure on said acetabular cup.

Claim 14

Apparatus suitable for positioning a prosthetic acetabular cup within an acetabulum, said cup having a recessed surface dimensioned to mate with a prosthetic femoral head, said apparatus comprising: A. a pusher ball, for pressing the acetabular cup into the acetabulum, said pusher ball including an outer surface adapted to generally mate with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup; B. a pusher arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said pusher ball; (2) an intermediate straight portion; and (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; C. a positioner flange having first and second major opposite surfaces; D. a positioner arm including: (1) a first end portion affixed to said flange; (2) an intermediate straight portion; (3) a second end portion opposite said first end portion; and (4) means for visualizing said acetabular cup when said pusher ball is affixed generally mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup; E. means for removably engaging said flange with said pusher arm to face said first major surface of said flange with said pusher ball along said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm; and F. adjustable means for releasably affixing: (1) said flange faced with said pusher ball to define a predetermined angle between said intermediate straight portions of said pusher arm and said positioner arm; and (2) said outer surface of said pusher ball generally mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup, so that said positioner flange and said positioner arm can be released and removed from said intermediate straight portion of said pusher arm while said pusher ball remains mated with said recessed surface of said acetabular cup to maintain uninterrupted pressure on said acetabular cup.