Orthopedic tool for altering the connection between orthopedic components

Abstract

An orthopedic tool for loosening the connection between orthopedic components. In one embodiment, the orthopedic tool includes a housing and a wedge. The housing has a head, an upper portion, a lower portion, and an opening between the upper and lower portions. The wedge is positioned at least partially between the upper portion and the lower portion of the housing and is actuatable to move toward the head of the housing. When at least a portion of the head of the housing is placed in mating engagement with the junction between two assembled orthopedic components, advancement of the wedge towards the head results in separation of the upper portion and lower portion of the housing. Thus, as the wedge is advanced toward the head, the upper and lower portions of the housing are separated, which results in corresponding separation of the assembled orthopedic components.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An orthopedic tool for altering a connection between a pair of orthopedic components, comprising:
 an elongate housing that defines a longitudinal axis and includes
 an upper portion, 
 a lower portion at least partially separable from the upper portion, and 
 a head, 
 wherein the upper portion or the lower portion are configured to be respectively engagable with a corresponding one of the pair of orthopedic components; and 
   a wedge positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the wedge is configured to move distally along the longitudinal axis of the housing toward the head to separate the upper portion and the lower portion and to alter the connection between the pair of orthopedic components when the upper portion and the lower portion are respectively engaged to the corresponding orthopedic components.   
     
     
         22 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 21 , wherein the upper and lower portions respectively engage the corresponding orthopedic components adjacent to a junction surface defined by the pair of orthopedic components and wherein distal movement of the wedge separates the upper portion and the lower portion along the junction surface to loosen the connection between the pair of orthopedic components. 
     
     
         23 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 22 , including an upper tooth extending from the upper portion and a lower tooth extending from the lower portion, wherein the upper tooth and the lower tooth are configured to engage an indentation adjacent the junction surface. 
     
     
         24 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 22 , wherein the head includes a curved surface configured to engage the pair of orthopedic components adjacent to the junction surface. 
     
     
         25 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 24 , wherein a plurality of teeth extends from the curved surface, wherein the teeth are configured to engage an indentation adjacent the junction surface. 
     
     
         26 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 21 , including a handle connected to the wedge and configured such that movement of the handle results in corresponding movement of the wedge. 
     
     
         27 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 26 , wherein rotating the handle moves the wedge linearly along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         28 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 26 , wherein the handle includes one of a threaded shaft or a threaded bore and the wedge includes the other of the threaded shaft or the threaded bore and wherein the engagement of the threaded bore and the threaded shaft connects the handle to the wedge. 
     
     
         29 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 28 , wherein the threaded shaft and the threaded bore include a reverse threading. 
     
     
         30 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 21 , further comprising an impaction cap configured for attachment to the housing. 
     
     
         31 . An orthopedic tool for altering the connection between a pair of orthopedic components, comprising:
 a housing including an engagement means for engaging a pair of orthopedic components; and   a separation means for separating at least a portion of the engagement means to alter the connection between the assembled orthopedic components, wherein the separation means separates the engagement means when advanced distally towards the engagement means.   
     
     
         32 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 31 , wherein the engagement means includes an upper tooth extending from the housing and a lower tooth extending from the housing and adjacent to the upper tooth, and wherein the pair of orthopedic components define an indentation adjacent a junction surface defined by the pair of assembled orthopedic components, and wherein the upper tooth and the lower tooth are both configured to engage the indentation, and wherein movement of the upper tooth away from the lower tooth loosens the connection between the pair of assembled orthopedic components. 
     
     
         33 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 31 , wherein the wedge is positioned within the housing. 
     
     
         34 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 31 , wherein the engagement means includes a pin engaging a first portion of the housing and a slider engaging the second portion of the housing. 
     
     
         35 . An orthopedic tool for altering a connection between a pair of assembled orthopedic components, comprising:
 an elongate housing that defines a longitudinal axis and that includes
 an upper portion, 
 a lower portion at least partially separable from the upper portion, and 
 a head configured to engage both of the pair of orthopedic components adjacent to a junction surface defined by the pair of assembled orthopedic components; and 
   a wedge positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the wedge is actuatable to move distally along the longitudinal axis of the housing toward the head to separate the upper portion and the lower portion of the housing along the junction surface and to loosen the connection between the pair of assembled orthopedic components.   
     
     
         36 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 35 , comprising a handle having an externally threaded shaft portion configured to threadingly engage a threaded bore in the wedge, wherein rotation of the handle causes movement of the wedge and the movement of the wedge causes movement of the lower portion away from the upper portion to loosen the connection between the pair of assembled orthopedic components. 
     
     
         37 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 36 , wherein the shaft portion and the bore are in a reverse threading engagement. 
     
     
         38 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 35 , comprising an upper tooth extending from the upper portion of the housing and a lower tooth extending from the lower portion of the housing, wherein at least one of the pair of orthopedic components define an indentation adjacent the junction surface, and wherein the upper tooth and the lower tooth both engage the indentation and wherein movement of the upper tooth away from the lower tooth results in loosening of the connection between the pair of assembled orthopedic components. 
     
     
         39 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 35 , including an impaction cap configured for attachment to the housing, whereby the impaction cap receives an impaction force and transfers the impaction force substantially entirely to the housing. 
     
     
         40 . The orthopedic tool of  claim 35 , wherein the head portion further comprises a curved surface configured to engage both of the orthopedic components adjacent to the junction surface.