Assembly tool

Abstract

An instrument for assembling an implant on a neck. The implant and neck being coupled via a taper having a taper axis. The instrument includes a frame having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the frame including a retaining member adapted to engage a portion of the neck and a connector adapted to engage a corresponding feature of the stem. The instrument also includes a force applier retained in the proximal portion of the frame. The force applier includes a screw having a screw axis that is coaxial with the taper axis, wherein the screw is adapted to engage the implant. As the screw is turned, the force applier applies a force on the implant while the neck is held in place by the frame, thereby causing the tapers of the implant and neck to engage.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for assembling a taper between a neck of a stem and an implant, the taper having a taper axis and the stem having a stem axis, the method comprising:
 using an assembly instrument, the assembly instrument including a frame having a distal portion, proximal portion, and a middle portion having a body axis that is coaxial with the stem axis, the distal portion of the frame including a retaining member, the instrument having a force applier, the force applier having an axis that is coaxial with the taper axis, wherein the force applier axis is not coaxial or parallel with the stem axis;   inserting the neck into the retaining member of the frame;   inserting the implant into the proximal portion of the frame; and   applying a force to the implant along the force applier axis while the retaining member of the frame holds the neck in place, thereby assembling the tapers.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the force applier is a screw and an actuator coupled to the screw, wherein the actuator is adapted to enable a user to turn the screw. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the frame includes a carriage, the carriage including a through hole for receiving the screw. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the carriage is adjustable along a longitudinal axis and an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the proximal portion further includes a foot coupled to the force applier and the head, such that as the force applier is activated, the foot engages the head. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the distal portion of the frame further includes a threaded bolt adapted to engage a threaded bore on the stem. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the bracket includes a protective insert to stabilize and maintain alignment of the frame.