Abstract: A surgical tool for driving a K-wire into bone fragment or bone with gentle but forceful precision is described. The tool provides for the driving of the K-wire with a slap hammer action while rotating the wire. The tool is of simple construction.

Abstract: An improved instrument for removing thermoplastic bone cement by applying a heater tip of heating wire to the cement to melt the bone cement inserting the hot heater tip into the bone cement, allowing it to cool embedded in the bone cement and to pull the instrument and, through the embedded heater tip, pull the bone cement from the bone.

Abstract: A pneumatic inertia tool for applying a cyclic percussive force to an orthopedic article via a reciprocating shuttle comprising a passageway extending between a first port and a second port. The shuttle travels within the passageway and strikes an anvil, imparting its momentum to the orthopedic article. The mass of the shuttle and its velocity at impact are selected to fix a bone relative to the orthopedic article via the existing inertia of the bone. The shuttle reciprocates within the passageway by alternating pressure and vacuum forces applied at the first port and at the second port.

Abstract: A tool driver having a shaft with a longitudinal axis and opposite ends. A boss is positioned at one of the ends. A tool collet is positioned at the other of the ends. The boss has a bore extending axially thereof forming debris cavity. An actuator on the shaft. A pair of oppositely disposed pins on the actuator. The pins are movable in relation to the boss in response to movement of the actuator. The actuator and the pins move as a unit axially of the boss between an at rest position and a static position. The pins are movable between an extended position and a retracted position as the actuator moves between an at rest position and a static position, whereby a tool can be positioned on the tool driver when the actuator is in its static position and held in operable position on the tool driver when the actuator is in its at rest position.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided surgical instrumentation for implanting an orthopedic prosthesis comprising a handle having opposed longitudinal ends and a head assembly situated at one end of the handle. The head assembly includes an external impact surface for transmitting force to an orthopedic instrument or prosthesis. A spring and sliding shaft arrangement are disposed within the head assembly for dampening the force from the impact surface. The head assembly is adjustable for varying the force absorbed by the spring and sliding shaft arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a modular ball head from a prosthesis stem by heat expanding the modular ball head and subjecting it to an impact force in a direction such that it is removed from the prosthesis stem. A housing receives the modular ball head therein while the prosthesis stem is still within a patient's femur. A heater within the housing heats the modular ball head. An impact hammer comprised of a mass slideably mounted on a rod is attached to the housing and has an anvil stop at one end. The housing is thermally insulated to retain heat while protecting an operator and the patient from burns. The heat generated is controlled as to amount and duration.

Abstract: The acetabular cup positioner of this invention provides for a sighting guide which is removable connected to the shaft of the cup positioner by a tapered locking configuration. The taper lock provides for a secure connection of the sighting guide to the shaft of the cup positioner which enhances the accuracy of the device. The taper lock provides such a strong lock that in order to provide for its removal, the cup positioner of the invention includes a slaphammer carrier on the shaft of the guide which may be employed by the surgeon to remove the guide from the positioner without undue effort.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a pre-placed prosthetic appliance anchored in place in a bone recess by a cement mantle and conditioning the recess for receipt of a replacement appliance. The preplaced appliance is first pulled from the mantle of hardened cement holding it within the recess, thus leaving a cavity within the mantle. A screw threaded post having nuts threadably engaged therewith at longitudinally spaced locations is then anchored within the cavity with a new mass of cement. Thereafter, the post is threadably disengaged from the nuts, leaving the nuts in place within the new mass of cement. A pulling tool is then successively engaged with the nuts and tensioned to incrementally remove the mantle from the recess.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a pre-placed prosthetic joint from a bone cavity and conditioning the cavity for receipt of a replacement joint. The pre-placed joint is first pulled from the mantle of hardened cement holding it within the cavity, thus leaving a cavity within the mantle. A mass of fluid cement is then placed within the cement cavity, after which a pulling tool is inserted into the fluid cement and the fluid cement is permitted to cure to bond with the hardened cement and form an integral mass. The pulling tool has helical screw thread on it, with means to connect a slap-hammer to its proximal end, so that its insertion into the fluid cement defines a threaded passageway. The pulling tool is then partly removed from the passageway by unscrewing it. Tension is then applied to the pulling tool to remove the tool and the cement mantle surrounding it from the bone cavity. The tool is then reinserted and the process is repeated as many times as desired until all of the cement mantle is removed.

Abstract: The invention shows knock-out instruments for the shanks of hipjoint prostheses, the said instrument consisting of a shank (1) with a coupling-part for a sliding hammer (not shown) as well as of an extension-piece (3) which may be applied in the knock-out direction. The extension-piece (3) is connected rigidly to the shank and stands away from it like a foot at an angle .alpha. of between 20.degree. and 60.degree.. The extension-piece exhibits a recess (8) which may be slid from one side over the neck of a hipjoint prosthesis and encircles it over an angle of up to 180.degree., the width inside the recess measured across the 180.degree. being greater by a clearance than the smallest diameter of the neck of the prosthesis, measured in the same direction.

Abstract: A cement plug received within a bone recess is extracted by forming a bore within the plug, tapping the bore to form internal screw threads therein, engaging the threads with a pulling tool, and applying tension to the tool to extract the plug. The bore is formed through means of a rod inserted into the plug while in a fluid state and/or a drill bit having a tubular guide received therearound to maintain the bit in generally aligned condition with the bone recess and limit the depth to which the bit penetrates the plug. The degree to which the bore is tapped and engaged by the pulling tool is controlled to avoid exceeding the extent of the bore and the screw threads formed therein. One embodiment employs a self-tapping extraction rod which serves both as a tap to form the screw threads and as the pulling tool to apply tension to extract the plug. Another embodiment employs a tap which is separate from the pulling tool.

Abstract: A tool driver having a body with a longitudinal axis and opposite ends. A boss is positioned at one of the ends. A tool collet is positioned at the other of the ends. A plunger is positioned within a bore in the body. The body has a pair of oppositely disposed pins, at least one of the pins being movable in relation to said body in response to movement of the plunger. An actuator is positioned on and connected to the plunger. The actuator and plunger move as a unit axially of said body between an at rest position and a static position. One pin is movable between an extended position and a retracted position as the plunger and actuator move between an at rest position and a static position, whereby a tool can be positioned on the tool driver when the plunger and actuator are in their static position and held in operable position on the tool driver when the plunger and actuator are in their at rest position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a pre-placed prosthetic joint from a bone cavity and conditioning the cavity for receipt of a replacement joint. The pre-placed joint is first pulled from the mantle of hardened cement holding it within the cavity, thus leaving a cavity within the mantle. A mass of fluid cement is then placed within the cement cavity, after which a pulling appliance is inserted into the fluid cement and the fluid cement is permitted to cure to bond the appliance to the mantle. Tension is then applied to the pulling appliance to remove the appliance and the cement mantle from the bone cavity as a unit. The fluid cement partially dissolves and softens the hardened cement mantle so that an integral cement mass is formed upon curing of the fluid cement. The pulling appliance is of a screw-like configuration, with means to connect a slap-hammer to its proximal end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a pre-placed prosthetic appliance anchored in place in a bone recess by a cement mantle and conditioning the recess for receipt of a replacement appliance. The preplaced appliance is first pulled from the mantle of hardened cement holding it within the recess, thus leaving a cavity within the mantle. A screw threaded post having nuts threadably engaged therewith at longitudinally spaced locations is then anchored within the cavity with a new mass of cement. Thereafter, the post is threadably disengaged from the nuts, leaving the nuts in place within the new mass of cement. A pulling tool is then successively engaged with the nuts and tensioned to incrementally remove the mantle from the recess.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a pre-placed prosthetic joint from a bone cavity and conditioning the cavity for receipt of a replacement joint. The pre-placed joint is first pulled from the mantle of hardened cement holding it within the cavity, thus leaving a cavity within the mantle. A mass of fluid cement is then placed within the cement cavity, after which a pulling tool is inserted into the fluid cement and the fluid cement is permitted to cure to bond with the hardened cement and form an integral mass. The pulling tool has helical screw thread on it, with means to connect a slap-hammer to its proximal end, so that its insertion into the fluid cement defines a threaded passageway. The pulling tool is then partly removed from the passageway by unscrewing it. Tension is then applied to the pulling tool to remove the tool and the cement mantle surrounding it from the bone cavity. The tool is then reinserted and the process is repeated as many times as desired until all of the cement mantle is removed.

Abstract: A pneumatically driven orthopedic broach inserter comprising a continuously reciprocating piston which strikes a proximal anvil during each cycle. The impact of the piston with the proximal anvil drives the broach out of a bone. To drive the broach into the bone, a surgeon pushes on the power broach inserter, bringing a distal anvil into the path of the piston, and creating a forward action which dominates over the on-going reverse action produced by the piston striking the proximal anvil. The piston is provided with a low-friction sleeve so that completely oilless operation is possible. A fast-acting chuck having a key and a wedge is provided whereby broaches of different size can be quickly attached to the power broach inserter.

Abstract: A mantle of cement having an elongate cavity formed therein is removed from adhered condition within a bone recess by successively breaking away sections of the mantle with a plurality of elongate screw threaded pulling elements proportioned to engage a limited length of a screw threaded mass of cement received in the cavity. The apparatus of the invention is provided in kit form with sufficient elements to enable the full length of the mantle to be removed in successive steps. The kit may also include a cement injection syringe and vent tube to fill the cavity of the mantle with a mass of cement, a die to form a screw threaded passage in the mass of cement, and a slap hammer connectable to the pulling elements.

Abstract: A surgical prothesis insertion and removal tool is provided which is particularly adapted for removing a variety of different prostheses by clamping to the stems thereof. The device hereof employs a force transmitting member, such as a slide hammer, which is mounted to a coupling member. The coupling member includes an opening adapted to receive a stem of the prosthesis therein, and preferably includes a series of differently sized sleeves which conform to respective stems of different prostheses. The coupling member is configured to clamp around the sleeve and stem, enabling the slide hammer to act to lift the coupling member and thereby remove the prostheses from a bone in which it had been originally placed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a pre-placed prosthetic joint from a bone cavity and conditioning the cavity for receipt of a replacement joint. The pre-placed joint is first pulled from the mantle of hardened cement holding it within the cavity, thus leaving a cavity within the mantle. A mass of fluid cement is then placed within the cement cavity, after which a pulling appliance is inserted into the fluid cement and the fluid cement is permitted to cure to bond the appliance to the mantle. Tension is then applied to the pulling appliance to remove the appliance and the cement mantle from the bone cavity as a unit. The fluid cement partially dissolves and softens the hardened cement mantle so that an integral cement mass is formed upon curing of the fluid cement. The pulling appliance is of a screw-like configuration, with means to connect a slap-hammer to its proximal end.

Abstract: A femoral stem surgical instrument system includes a handle component and an impact component, either one of which is selectively coupled with a femoral stem through a recess in the femoral stem, the recess providing separate facilities for the appropriate coupling of either of the components with the femoral stem, with each of the separate facilities being protected against damage when the other of the facilities is in use.