Orthopedic impactor

An orthopedic impactor, comprising:

• a motor operable to generate rotational motion;
• a means for converting the rotational motion to linear motion;
• an anvil including at least one impact surface;
• and
• a thrown mass having a first position located a distance from the at least one impact surface,
• wherein, during an operational cycle of the orthopedic impactor:
• the thrown mass accelerates, responsive to the linear motion and away from the first position, toward the anvil to impact the at least one impact surface with a first kinetic energy and impart a linear impact force on the anvil, and
• the thrown mass returns, responsive to the linear motion and toward the first position, with a second kinetic energy that is less than the first kinetic energy.

An orthopedic impactor, comprising:

• a motor configured to generate rotational motion;
• a linear motion converter operatively coupled to the motor and configured to convert the rotational motion into linear motion;
• a thrown mass operatively coupled to the linear motion converter and movable between a ready position and an impact position;
• an anvil including at least one impact surface positioned to receive impact from the thrown mass;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• control the motor to accelerate the thrown mass from the ready position toward the impact position with a first kinetic energy magnitude, and
• control the motor to return the thrown mass from the impact position toward the ready position with a second kinetic energy magnitude that is reduced relative to the first kinetic energy magnitude.