System and method for inserting an implant

Abstract

An implant includes a body configured to be implanted at least partially within a bone canal. The body has a proximal end, a longitudinal axis and a cavity located at the proximal end. The cavity is configured to mate with an insertion tool and defines a cavity axis that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implant.

1 . An implant, comprising:
 a body configured to be implanted at least partially within a bone canal, the body having a proximal end, a longitudinal axis and a cavity located at the proximal end, wherein the cavity is configured to mate with an insertion tool, and the cavity defines a cavity axis that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implant.   
   
   
       2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity axis and the longitudinal axis intersect to form an offset angle of between 5 degrees and 55 degrees. 
   
   
       3 . The implant of  claim 2 , wherein the offset angle is about 40 degrees. 
   
   
       4 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a neck extending from the body, and wherein the cavity is located laterally relative to the neck. 
   
   
       5 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity includes at least one feature configured to mate with the distal tip of an insertion tool. 
   
   
       6 . The implant of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one feature includes at least one of a dimple and a shoulder. 
   
   
       7 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is generally circular when viewed in a cross-section taken perpendicular to the cavity axis. 
   
   
       8 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the bone canal is the femoral canal and the implant is a hip implant. 
   
   
       9 . An implant system, comprising:
 an implant comprising a body having a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and a cavity, the cavity having a cavity axis that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of implant; and   a tool for assisting in the implantation of the implant having a distal end configured to mate with the cavity.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the tool has a distal portion and further comprising a cantilevered spring arm that extends from the distal portion of the tool, the arm being configured to frictionally engage the cavity of the implant when the arm is at least partially disposed therein. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the cavity has a dimple, and the arm includes a feature configured to be at least partially disposed within the dimple when the distal end of the tool is engaged with the cavity. 
   
   
       12 . An implant system, comprising:
 an implant comprising a body having a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and a cavity; and   a tool for assisting in the implantation of the implant comprising a distal end configured to mate with the cavity, the distal end having an axis that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body when the tool is mated with the implant.   
   
   
       13 . A method of implanting an implant at least partially within a bone, the bone having a bone axis, comprising the steps of:
 providing a system comprising
 an implant comprising a body, the body having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis and a cavity located at the proximal end, wherein the cavity defines a cavity axis that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implant, and 
 a tool for assisting in the implantation of the implant comprising a shaft having a distal end configured to mate with the cavity and a proximal end, the proximal end including a strike plate attached thereto; 
   creating a void in a bone;   introducing the distal end of the implant into the void, whereat the longitudinal axis of the implant is not aligned with the bone axis;   engaging the distal end of the tool into the cavity of the implant;   striking the strike plate to thereby rotate the longitudinal axis of the implant toward the bone axis until the longitudinal axis of the implant is substantially aligned with the bone axis; and   disengaging the distal end of the tool from the cavity of the implant.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the providing step comprises providing a tool that has a distal portion that includes a cantilevered spring arm that extends from the distal portion, and the arm being configured to frictionally engage the cavity of the implant when at least partially disposed therein, and wherein the engaging step comprises engaging the arm with the cavity. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the providing step comprises providing an implant that includes a dimple within the cavity, and providing a tool that includes a raised surface on a distal end of the cantilevered spring arm configured to at least partially engage the dimple when the distal end of the tool is engaged with the cavity, and wherein the engaging step comprises engaging the raised surface with the dimple. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the cantilevered spring arm and the cavity of the implant are configured to permit disengagement of the tool and the implant when a force ranging from approximately one-quarter of a pound to five pounds is exerted proximally along the longitudinal axis of the tool. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the bone axis is a long bone axis. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the implant is a hip implant, the long bone axis is the femoral axis, and the creating step comprises the step of sparing the greater trochanter. 
   
   
       19 . A method of implanting an implant at least partially within tissue, wherein the tissue includes an implant target position having a target axis and a tissue feature that intersects the target axis, comprising the steps of:
 providing a system comprising
 an implant comprising a body, the body having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis and a cavity located at the proximal end, wherein the cavity defines a cavity axis that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implant, and 
 a tool for assisting in the implantation of the implant comprising a shaft having a distal end configured to mate with the cavity and a proximal end; 
   creating a pathway from a tissue surface to a target position within the tissue;   inserting the distal end of the implant into the pathway;   engaging the distal end of the tool with the cavity of the implant;   manipulating the tool to move the implant to the target position without impinging on the tissue feature; and   disengaging the distal end of the tool from the cavity of the implant.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the manipulating step comprises one of rotating or translating the implant. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the target axis is the femoral axis of the femur, the tissue feature is the greater trochanter, 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the tool includes a strike plate attached at the proximal end of the tool, and the manipulating step comprises impacting the strike plate.