Assembly tool for a prosthesis
AssigneeZimmer, Inc.
InventorsTerry W. Wagner, Matthew L. Mroczkowski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An assembly tool for assembling components of an implant can include a finger assembly, a handle assembly, and a crossbar assembly. The finger assembly can include first and second fingers oriented parallel to each other, and sized and shaped to releasably engage first and second components of the implant during assembly. The handle assembly can include first and second handles pivotally connected to each other and configured to control movement of the first and second fingers. The crossbar assembly can be configured to maintain the first and second fingers substantially parallel to each other during movement of the first and second fingers. The assembly tool can be used for assembling a bearing assembly to an ulnar component of an elbow prosthesis.
Claims21
An assembly tool for assembling components of an implant, the assembly tool comprising:
- a finger assembly comprising a first finger sized and shaped to releasably engage a first component of the implant and a second finger sized and shaped to releasably engage a second component of the implant, the first and second fingers oriented substantially parallel to each other;
- a handle assembly comprising a first handle pivotally connected to a second handle, the handle assembly configured to control movement of the first and second fingers when the first and second handles are actuated;
- and
- a crossbar assembly connected to the finger assembly and the handle assembly, and configured to maintain the first and second fingers substantially parallel to each other during movement of the first and second fingers by actuation of the first and second handles.
(canceled)
An assembly tool for assembling a multi-component implant, the assembly tool comprising:
- a first finger including a first attachment feature configured to releasably secure a first component of the implant to the first finger;
- a second finger including a second attachment feature configured to releasably secure a second component of the implant to the second finger, wherein the first and second fingers are oriented substantially parallel to each other;
- a handle assembly comprising a first handle pivotally connected to a second handle, the handle assembly configured to control movement of the first and second fingers when the first and second handles are actuated;
- a first finger extension extending from the first finger and connected to the second handle;
- a second finger extension extending from the second finger and connected to the first handle;
- and
- a crossbar assembly comprising a first crossbar pivotally connected to a second crossbar , the crossbar assembly configured to maintain the first and second fingers substantially parallel to each other throughout movement of the first and second fingers by actuation of the first and second handles.
A method of assembling a multi-component implant using an assembly tool, the method comprising:
- mounting a first component of the implant onto a first finger of the assembly tool such that the first finger releasably engages the first component to the assembly tool;
- mounting a second component of the implant onto a second finger of the assembly tool such that the second finger releasably engages the second component to the assembly tool;
- moving the first and second fingers towards each other and into a compressed position to attach the first component to the second component;
- maintaining a substantially parallel relationship between the first and second fingers throughout movement of the first and second fingers;
- and
- releasing the first and second fingers from the compressed position back to a relaxed position.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.