# US 10,368,996 B2 · Assembly tool

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- Number: US 10,368,996 B2
- Document ID: US10368996B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/995,649
- Filed: 2016-01-14
- Published: 2016-07-21
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2015-01-15
- Assignees: Depuy Ireland Unlimited Company
- Applicants: Depuy Synthes Products, Inc.
- Inventors: Vineetha Gheevarughese; Larry McCleary
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10368996B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/3094: {Designing or manufacturing processes}
- A61F 2/36: Femoral heads {; Femoral endoprostheses}
- A61F 2/3609: {Femoral heads or necks; Connections of endoprosthetic heads or necks to endoprosthetic femoral shafts (A61F2/3601 takes precedence)}
- A61F 2/3662: {Femoral shafts}
- A61F 2/4607: {of hip femoral endoprostheses}
- A61F 2/4637: {for connecting or disconnecting two parts of a prosthesis}
- B23P 19/02: for connecting objects by press fit or for detaching same (B23P19/10 takes precedence)
- A61F 2002/30332: {Conically- or frustoconically-shaped protrusion and recess}
- A61F 2002/30471: {connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type}
- A61F 2002/30553: {for adjusting a position by translation along an axis}
- A61F 2002/3625: {Necks}
- A61F 2002/3627: {with lateral apertures, holes or openings}
- A61F 2002/365: {Connections of heads to necks}
- A61F 2002/3652: {Connections of necks to shafts}
- A61F 2002/4627: {with linear motion along or rotating motion about the instrument axis or the implantation direction, e.g. telescopic, along a guiding rod, screwing inside the instrument}
- A61F 2002/4629: {connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection}
- A61F 2002/4638: {Tools for performing screwing, e.g. nut or screwdrivers, or particular adaptations therefor}
- A61F 2002/4687: {Mechanical guides for implantation instruments}
- A61F 2240/001: Designing or manufacturing processes
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q)

## Abstract

An instrument for assembling an implant on a neck. The implant and neck being coupled via a taper having a taper axis. The instrument includes a frame having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the frame including a retaining member adapted to engage a portion of the neck and a connector adapted to engage a corresponding feature of the stem. The instrument also includes a force applier retained in the proximal portion of the frame. The force applier includes a screw having a screw axis that is coaxial with the taper axis, wherein the screw is adapted to engage the implant. As the screw is turned, the force applier applies a force on the implant while the neck is held in place by the frame, thereby causing the tapers of the implant and neck to engage.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An instrument for assembling an implant on a neck of a stem, the stem having a stem axis, the implant and neck each having a taper, such that the implant and neck are coupled via the implant and neck tapers, such that when the tapers are coupled, there is a taper axis, the instrument comprising:
a frame having a distal portion, a middle portion having a body axis that is coaxial with the stem axis when being used with the implant and neck, and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the frame including a retaining member adapted to engage a portion of the neck and a connector adapted to engage a corresponding feature of the stem;
a force applier retained in the proximal portion of the frame, having, when being used with the implant and neck, an axis that is coaxial with the taper axis, wherein the force applier is adapted to engage the implant, wherein the force applier axis is not coaxial or parallel with the stem axis;
wherein as the force applier is activated, the force applier applies a force on the implant while the neck is held in place by the frame, thereby causing the tapers of the implant and neck to engage;
wherein the middle portion includes a carriage that is adjustably positionable on the body axis in a first direction, the carriage slidably retaining the proximal portion such that the proximal portion is movable in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The instrument of claim 1, wherein the force applier is a screw and an actuator coupled to the screw, wherein the actuator is adapted to enable a user to turn the screw.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The instrument of claim 1, wherein the force applier further includes a foot adapted to engage a head of the implant, such that as the force applier is activated, the foot engages the head.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The instrument of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a threaded bolt and the corresponding feature on the stem is a threaded bore, such that the threaded bolt is adapted to engage the threaded bore on the stem.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The instrument of claim 1, wherein the retaining member includes a bracket, the bracket extending toward the neck, when the instrument is in use with the neck and implant, wherein the bracket includes a protective insert to stabilize and maintain alignment of the frame.

### Claim 6

A system for hip orthopaedic surgery comprising:
a stem having a neck, the stem having a stem axis;
a head, wherein one of the neck and the head have a male taper and the other of the neck and the head have a corresponding female taper, wherein when the male and female tapers are engaged, there is a taper axis; and
an instrument for assembling the male and female tapers, the instrument including a frame having a distal portion and a proximal portion and a middle portion, the middle portion having a body axis that is coaxial with the stem axis, the distal portion of the frame including a retaining member adapted to engage a portion of the neck, the instrument further including a force applier retained in the proximal portion of the frame, having an axis that is coaxial with the taper axis, wherein the force applier is adapted to engage the head, wherein as the force applier is activated, the force applier applies a force on the head while the neck is held in place by the frame, thereby causing the tapers of the head and neck to engage and wherein the force applier axis is not coaxial or parallel with the stem axis;
wherein the middle portion includes a carriage that is adjustably positionable on the body axis in a first direction, the carriage slidably retaining the proximal portion such that the proximal portion is movable in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, wherein the force applier is a screw and an actuator coupled to the screw, wherein the actuator is adapted to enable a user to turn the screw.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the force applier further includes a foot adapted to engage the head, such that as the force applier is activated, the foot engages the head.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the distal portion of the frame further includes a threaded bolt adapted to engage a threaded bore on the stem.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the retaining member includes a bracket, the bracket extending toward the neck, the bracket includes a protective insert to stabilize and maintain alignment of the frame.