Apparatus for implantation and extraction of osteal prostheses

Claim 2

An adaptor for connecting an ultrasonic device to a prosthesis including a ball having a given diameter at an exposed end thereof and a lower portion of the prosthesis, said adaptor comprising: a base portion having an external circumference, said base portion being provided with a first recess having a diameter for receiving the ball, the external circumference of said base portion being provided with at least a second recess to provide clearance for the lower portion of the prosthesis; a plurality of cap screws provided in corresponding apertures in said base portion for causing a high compression interference between an upper portion of the ball of the prosthesis and an internal surface of said first recess, a face of each of said cap screws contacting a lower edge of the ball at a point below a midpoint of the diameter of the ball; and a connector for connecting said adaptor to the ultrasonic device, wherein said first recess has a first longitudinal axis extending through an external opening thereof, said connector has a second axis of propagation of ultrasonic energy, and said first axis extends within about 45° of normal to said second axis.

Claim 3

The adaptor of claim 1, wherein said cap screws are spaced an equal distance from one another around said external circumference of said base portion.

Claim 4

The adaptor of claim 1, wherein said base portion defines a third recess and a fourth recess to permit variable positioning of said base portion on the prosthesis while providing clearance for the lower portion of the prosthesis, said second, third, and fourth recesses being spaced an equal distance from one another around said external circumference of said base portion.

Claim 5

The adaptor of claim 1, wherein said connector comprises a bore supporting a plurality of threads.

Claim 6

An adapter for connecting an ultrasonic device to a prosthesis, the prosthesis of the type comprising a proximal body including a ball of a giving radius of curvature defining a generally spherical surface, said proximal body exposed outside of the bone, and a distal stem extending within the bone, said adapter comprising: a body defining an external aperture which opens into an internal recess defined by an arcuate inner surface, said recess being sized to receive the prosthesis ball and having a longitudinal axis that extends through said external aperture, said inner surface having a radius of curvature substantially equal to that of the prosthesis ball so as to contact a portion of the surface of the prosthesis ball; at least one engagement element being configured to engage a portion of the surface of the ball opposite of said body inner surface and being adapted to connect to said body to compress the ball against said inner surface; and a connector being configured to couple said body to the ultrasonic device, said connector having an axis of ultrasonic energy propagation which extends within about 65° of normal to said recess longitudinal axis.

Claim 7

An adapter for connecting an ultrasonic device to a prosthesis, the prosthesis of the type comprising a proximal body including a ball of a giving radius of curvature defining a generally spherical surface, said proximal body exposed outside of the bone, and a distal stem extending within the bone, said adapter comprising: a body defining an external aperture which opens into an internal recess defined by an arcuate inner surface, said recess being sized to receive the prosthesis ball and having a longitudinal axis that extends through said external aperture, said inner surface having a radius of curvature substantially equal to that of the prosthesis ball so as to contact a portion of the surface of the prosthesis ball; at least one engagement element being configured to engage a portion of the surface of the ball opposite of said body inner surface and being adapted to connect to said body to compress the ball against said inner surface; and a connector being configured to couple said body to the ultrasonic device, said connector having an axis of ultrasonic energy propagation which extends within about 65° of normal to said recess longitudinal axis.

Claim 8

The adapter of claim 5, wherein said engagement element comprises a cap screw provided in a corresponding aperture in said body.

Claim 9

The adapter of claim 5, wherein said adapter comprises a plurality of engagement elements spaced an equal distance from one another around an external circumference of said base.

Claim 12

A method as recited in claim 8 wherein the object comprises the prosthesis to be implanted, and further comprising: discontinuing the ultrasonic vibrations; and leaving the prosthesis in the cavity so formed.

Claim 13

A method as recited in claim 9 comprising ultrasonically vibrating a prosthesis having a plurality of teeth on at least a portion of the surface of the prosthesis left in the cavity.

Claim 14

A method as recited in claim 10 wherein the teeth are spaced apart at a distance appropriate for ingrowth of cancellous bone.

Claim 15

A method as recited in claim 11 wherein the teeth are spaced apart at a distance in the range of from 50 to 400 micrometers.

Claim 18

The method of claim 13, wherein said step of driving the prosthesis into the bone comprises applying a driving force to the proximal body of the prosthesis in a direction generally parallel to said first axis.

Claim 19

The method of claim 13, wherein the ultrasonic energy is applied simultaneously with said driving force.

Claim 20

The method of claim 13, wherein said ultrasonic energy is insufficient for significantly disrupting cortical bone.

Claim 21

The method of claim 13, wherein said second axis deviates from a perpendicular to said first axis by no more than 45°.

Claim 22

The method of claim 13, wherein said second axis is generally perpendicular to said first axis.

Claim 25

The method of claim 19, wherein said second axis deviates from a perpendicular to said first axis by no more than about 45°.

Claim 26

The method of claim 20, wherein said second axis is generally perpendicular to said first axis.

Claim 27

The method of claim 19, wherein said step of coupling said ultrasonic transducer to said implantation tool comprises coupling a broach to said ultrasonic transducer.

Claim 28

The method of claim 22, wherein said broach comprises rasp-like teeth.