Method and apparatus for preparing and implantation of medical implants
AssigneeLittle Engine, LLC
InventorsFranz W. Kellar, Harold L. Crowder, Michael D. Bissette
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for implanting a medical implant into bone includes: an implant having at least one predetermined natural frequency; and an instrument, comprising: a housing; a coupler carried by the housing and configured to be mechanically connected to a medical implant; and a forcing mechanism carried by the housing and operable to apply a cyclic excitation force at the predetermined natural frequency.
Claims17
An apparatus for implanting a medical implant into bone, comprising:
- an implant having at least one predetermined natural frequency;
- and
- an instrument, comprising:
- a housing;
- a coupler carried by the housing and configured to be mechanically connected to a medical implant;
- and
- a forcing mechanism carried by the housing and operable to apply a cyclic excitation force at the predetermined natural frequency.
A method for implanting a medical implant into bone at a bond interface, the method comprising:
- providing a medical implant having at least one predetermined natural frequency;
- mechanically connecting a coupler of an instrument to the medical implant;
- inserting the medical implant into an opening formed in the bone;
- while inserting the medical implant, using the instrument to apply a cyclic excitation force at the predetermined natural frequency to the exposed portion of the medical implant such that the medical implant vibrates and transfers surface energy to the bond interface, wherein a surface energy concentration is selected to overcome surface friction between the medical implant and the bone.
An apparatus for forming a recess into bone, comprising:
- a cutting tool having at least one tooth, the cutting tool having at least one predetermined natural frequency;
- and
- an instrument, comprising:
- a housing;
- a coupler carried by the housing and configured to be mechanically connected to a medical implant;
- and
- a forcing mechanism carried by the housing and operable to apply a cyclic excitation force at the predetermined natural frequency.
A method for forming a recess into bone, the method comprising:
- mechanically connecting a coupler of an instrument to a cutting tool having at least one tooth;
- contacting the cutting tool with a bone;
- while contacting the bone, using the instrument to apply a cyclic excitation force to the cutting tool such that the cutting tool forms a recess in the bone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.