HK1243295A1 - Electric motor driven tool for orthopedic impacting - Google Patents

Abstract

An orthopedic impacting tool includes: an electric motor, an energy storage device, a striker and an anvil. The electric motor stores energy in the energy storage device, and then releases energy so that the striker exerts a controllable force on an adapter to create a precise impact for a surgical setting. The tool allows the forward or rearward impact to be used to enlarge the size or volume of the opening, or to help remove the broach, implant, or other surgical facility from the opening. The energy modulation control of the tool enables the surgeon to increase or decrease the impact energy. The light source and handle make the tool easy to handle.

Description

Motor-driven tool for orthopedic impacting

This application is a divisional application of chinese patent application No.201380023933.6 entitled "motor driven tool for orthopedic impact" filed on 6.11.2014.

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application No. 13/759,813 filed on 5.2.2010 and claiming priority therefrom in accordance with 35 u.s.c. § 120, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, the' 813 application is also a continuation of pending U.S. patent application No. 12/980,329 filed on 29.12.2010 and claiming priority therefrom in accordance with 35 u.s.c. § 120, and is also a continuation of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/603,320 filed on 26.2.2012 and claiming priority therefrom in accordance with 35 u.s.c. § 119, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is also a partial continuation of and claims priority from pending U.S. patent application No. 12/980,329 filed on 12/29/2010 and pending U.S. patent application No. 13/466,870 filed on 5/8/2012, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Further, the present application claims priority from pending U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/734,539 filed on 12/7/2012 and pending U.S. provisional patent application No. 14/2012, in accordance with 35u.s.c § 119, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to power tools for impact in orthopedic applications, and more particularly, to a motor driven tool for orthopedic impact that is capable of providing a controlled impact to a broach or other end effector.

Background

In the field of orthopedics, prosthetic devices such as artificial joints are typically implanted or placed within a patient by placing them within the patient's bone cavity. Often, a cavity must be formed prior to implantation or implantation of the prosthesis, and traditionally, the surgeon removes and/or impacts the bone to form the cavity. The prosthesis typically includes a prosthesis stem or other projection as the portion of the particular prosthesis inserted into the cavity.

The physician may form such a cavity using a broach that conforms to the shape of the prosthetic stem. A solution known in the art is to provide a handle with a broach, which the surgeon can hold while driving the broach into the implantation area. Unfortunately, this method is clumsy and unpredictable given the different skills held by particular physicians. This approach almost inevitably leads to inaccuracies in the location and structure of the cavity. Furthermore, in this method, the surgeon may feel exhausted due to the continuous tapping. Finally, this method runs the risk that the physician may damage the bone structure in non-planned areas.

Another technique for forming a cavity in a prosthesis is to pneumatically drive the broach, i.e., drive the broach by compressed air. The disadvantages of this method are: for example, portability of the impact tool is compromised by the presence of a lanyard air line, venting of air from the tool into the sterile field of operation, and the surgeon's fatigue in operating the tool. Further, as shown in the example of U.S. patent No. 5,057,112, this method does not allow precise control of the impact force or frequency, but instead, when actuated, operates more like a jackhammer. Secondly, accurate broaching of the cavity is made more difficult by the lack of any measurement for precise control.

A third technique relies on a computer controlled robotic arm to form the cavity. While this method overcomes the problems of fatigue and accuracy, it is very costly to construct and, in addition, eliminates tactile feedback that the surgeon can learn by manual methods.

A fourth technique is to compress the air on a single stroke basis using a linear compressor, relying on the authors' own prior disclosure, and then, after sufficient air pressure has been established, release the air through a valve onto the striker. This then causes the striker to travel down the guide tube and impact an anvil that holds the broach and/or other surgical tool. The present invention works very well, but does not provide a simple method of reversing the broach once it is stuck in soft tissue during the testing thereof. Further, the air pressure generates large forces in the gear assembly and linear motion converter components that cause premature wear of the components.

Accordingly, there is a need for an impact tool that overcomes the various disadvantages of the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above-described shortcomings in the prior art, a motor-driven orthopedic impacting tool is provided that is configured to incorporate all of the advantages of the prior art and to overcome the inherent disadvantages. The tool can be used by orthopedic surgeons for orthopedic impacting on the hip, knee, shoulder and the like. The tool is capable of holding a broach, chisel or other end effector and gently tapping the broach, chisel or other end effector into the cavity with a controlled percussive impact to better conform to the prosthesis or implant. Further, the control provided by the electrically operated broach, chisel, or other end effector can adjust the impact settings according to the particular bone type or other contour of the patient. Furthermore, the tool enables the prosthesis or implant to be correctly placed into or removed from the implantation cavity and helps to enhance the surgeon's existing skills in guiding instruments.

In an embodiment, a motor-driven orthopedic impacting tool includes: a power source (such as a battery), a motor, a control device, a housing, a method for converting rotational motion of the motor to linear motion (hereinafter referred to as a linear motion converter), at least one reduction gear, a striker, a pawl, and an energy storage device, which may include compressed air or vacuum. The tool may further comprise: an LED, a handle portion having at least one grip for proper grasping of the tool, an adapter configured to receive a surgical tool, a battery, and at least one sensor. At least some of the various components are preferably contained within a housing. The tool is capable of applying cyclic impact forces on a broach, chisel, or other end effector, or implant, and is capable of fine-tuning the impact force to multiple levels of impact force.

In further embodiments, the handle may be repositioned or may be folded back into the tool to present a built-in tool, wherein the surgeon pushes and pulls the tool in a direction that is collinear with the direction of the broach. This has the advantage of limiting the amount of torque that the surgeon can place on the tool while the tool is in operation. In a further refinement of the grip, there may be an additional grip for guiding the surgical instrument and improving stability during the impacting operation.

In further embodiments, a broach, osteotome, or other end effector may be rotated to multiple positions while maintaining axial alignment. This facilitates various anatomical demonstrations using the broach during surgery.

In a further embodiment, the energy storage device comprises a cavity that is at least partially under vacuum during at least a portion of the impact cycle.

In further embodiments, the linear motion converter uses one of a crank block, a linkage, a cam, a screw, a rack and pinion, a friction drive, or a belt and pulley.

In embodiments, the linear motion converter and the rotary motor may be replaced by a linear motor, a solenoid, or a voice coil motor.

In an embodiment, the tool further comprises a control device comprising an energy regulating element, and the energy regulating element may control the impact force of the tool and reduce or avoid damage caused by uncontrolled impacts. The energy may be adjusted electronically or mechanically. Furthermore, the energy conditioning element may be analog or have a fixed setting. The control device realizes the accurate control of the broaching tool machining operation.

In an embodiment, the anvil of the tool comprises at least one of the two impact points and a guide limiting the movement of the striker substantially in the axial direction. In operation, the striker continuously moves in the forward direction along the guide. A reversing mechanism may be used to change the point of impact of the firing pin and the force generated on the surgical tool. The use of such a reversing mechanism results in the application of a forward or rearward force on the anvil and/or broach or other surgical attachment. As used in this context, "forward direction" refers to movement of the firing pin toward the broach, osteotome, or patient, while "rearward direction" refers to movement of the firing pin away from the broach, osteotome, or patient. The option of bi-directional or uni-directional impact provides the surgeon with flexibility in cutting or compressing material within the implant cavity, and the choice of material to remove or compact is often critical in surgical procedures. Moreover, in the prior published use of the authors, it was found that the tool often gets stuck during the treatment process and that the reverse method of the tool is not sufficient to pull out the surgical facility. The new embodiment overcomes these limitations. In an embodiment, the impact points transmitting the forward or backward force are at least two separate and distinct points.

In an embodiment, the anvil and the adapter comprise a single element, and may also be integrated with each other.

In an embodiment, the tool is further capable of adjusting the frequency of the impact movement of the striker. By adjusting the frequency of the firing pin, the tool can apply a greater total time weighted percussive impact while maintaining the same impact amplitude. This enables the surgeon to control the cutting speed of the broach or osteotome. For example, during the entire movement of the broach or osteotome, the surgeon may select a faster cutting speed (high frequency impact) and then slow the cutting speed as the broach or osteotome approaches the desired depth. In a typical impactor, as shown in U.S. patent No. 6,938,705, varying the speed, as used in demolition operations, causes the impact force to vary, so that a constant (defined as +/-20%) impact energy can be maintained during variable speed operation.

In an embodiment, the direction of the impact is controlled by a biasing force placed on the tool by the user. For example, the tool may be biased in a forward direction to create a forward impact and the tool may be biased in a rearward direction to create a rearward impact.

In embodiments, the tool may have a light emitting element for illuminating the working area and accurately positioning the broach, chisel or other end effector at the appropriate location on the prosthesis or implant.

In embodiments, the tool may also include a feedback system that alerts the user when a bend or off-line orientation beyond a certain range of magnitudes is detected at the broach, chisel, or other end effector or implant interface.

In embodiments, the tool may further comprise a pawl holding the firing pin, and the pawl may be actuated by a mechanical or electrical means to increase the energy per impact from the tool to the surgical end effector. In an embodiment, the pawl is characterized in that: the holding force exerted by the pawl on the striker is reduced by 50% over 30% of the striker travel.

These, together with other aspects of the disclosure and various novel features which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the disclosure, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference must be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

Drawings

Advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following detailed description and appended claims when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are represented by like symbols and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an orthopedic impacting tool that uses a motor, a linear motion converter, and a vacuum as an energy storage device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary positions of a piston creating a vacuum;

FIG. 3 shows the striker being released and the striker moving in a forward direction to impact the anvil;

FIG. 4 shows the striker being released and the striker moving so that the anvil will be impacted in the opposite direction;

FIG. 5 shows the vacuum piston moving back toward the first position and resetting the striker;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tool using a compression chamber to generate an impact force;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tool for adjusting the impact energy of a striker using a valve;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tool in which the striker provides a surface for applying a rearward force on the anvil;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tool in which the striker applies a forward force to the anvil; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a comparison of force versus time curves between a hard impact and a modified impact using a compliant mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The best mode of carrying out the disclosure is set forth in accordance with preferred embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the drawings herein. The preferred embodiments described in detail herein for purposes of illustration are susceptible to various modifications. It is to be understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as expedient, but it is intended to cover such applications or embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "a" and "an" herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The present disclosure provides a motor driven orthopedic impacting tool with controllable percussion impact. The tool includes the ability to perform single or multiple impacts as well as to perform variable direction, variable force, and variable frequency impacts. In an embodiment, the impact force is adjustable. In another embodiment, a pawl may be provided that helps generate a higher energy impact. In another embodiment, the impact is transmitted to a broach, chisel, or other end effector coupled to the tool.

The tool may further comprise a housing. The housing may securely cover and retain at least one component of the tool. In an embodiment, the housing comprises: a motor, at least one reduction gear, a linear motion converter, an air chamber, a striker, a force adjuster, a control device, an anvil, a forward impact surface, and a different surface for rearward impact.

The tool may further comprise: a handle portion having at least one grip for properly and securely holding the tool in use, and an adapter, a battery, a position sensor, an orientation sensor, and a torque sensor. The tool may further include a light emitting element, such as an LED, that provides illumination in the work area where the surgeon employs the tool. The anvil may be coupled to a broach, osteotome, or other end effector by using an adapter that may have a quick connect mechanism to facilitate rapid changes to different broach sizes. The anvil may further include a locking rotation feature to allow the broach to be presented and configured in different anatomical configurations without changing the orientation of the tool in the surgeon's hand.

Referring now to fig. 1-5, in an embodiment, linear motion converter 12 includes a slider-crank mechanism operatively coupled to motor 8 and reduction gear 7. The tool further comprises a vacuum chamber 23 containing a piston 24, which piston 24 is actuated by the linear motion converter 12. It will be apparent that the piston 24 may be actuated in more than one direction. A vacuum is created in vacuum chamber 23 by movement of piston 24 away from striker 25. The vacuum created in vacuum chamber 23 is defined to a pressure of less than 9psia for at least a portion of the operating cycle.

In an embodiment, the motor 8 of the tool moves the linear motion converter 12, which creates a vacuum on the face of the striker 25 and creates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum cavity 23, as shown in fig. 2. The plunger 24 continues to move, increasing the size of the vacuum lumen 23 until the plunger 24 strikes the forward portion of the striker 25 (i.e., the portion of the striker proximal to the end effector or patient), which causes the striker 25 to be pulled out of its pawl 10 and the striker 25 to be rapidly accelerated toward the end of the tool proximal to the end effector or patient. In embodiments, the detent may be mechanical, electrical or a combination of the above, in the figures the detent is preferably a magnet. The characteristics of the pawl 10 are: once the pawl 10 is released or overcome, the holding force of the pawl 10 against the striker 25 is reduced by at least 50% within the first 30% of the movement of the striker. The impact of the striker 25 on the anvil 14 transmits force to the adapter 1 and to a broach, chisel or other orthopedic instrument.

In an embodiment, the direction of the force on the anvil is controlled by the force applied by a user (such as a surgeon) on the tool and stroke limiter 13. It has been determined that prior art tools sometimes become stuck in the cavity and that the striker impact mentioned in the above paragraph may not be sufficient to remove the tool. In this embodiment, the striker 25 does not impact the anvil 14 when the tool is pulled away from the cavity, but instead impacts the alternate surface, thereby transmitting a rearward force to the anvil 14. Which in the exemplary embodiment is shown as an actuating pin 27. The actuator pin 27 transmits force to the lever arm 17, which lever arm 17 transmits a rearward force to the anvil 14, and in particular to the anvil cancellation impact surface 26. An unexpected benefit of this embodiment is the ease of removal of tools and instruments stuck within the surgical cavity, while combining all the benefits of existing tools in terms of precisely controllable impacts. Thus, further advantages of the tool were found: it can be seen that the surgeon may control the direction of the impact by the bias he or she places on the tool, which may reduce the likelihood of a broach, chisel, or other end effector becoming stuck within the patient or surgical cavity.

In a further embodiment, an electromagnet may be incorporated with the pawl 10 and may be released at an appropriate point in the operating cycle to cause the striker 25 to impact the anvil 14. Once the striker 25 is released from the pawl 10, air pressure on the rearward side of the striker 25 causes it to move forward to impact the anvil 14 or other striker surface. The resulting force may be transmitted through an end of the anvil 14 located adjacent the anvil forward impact surface 16 and, optionally, through an adapter 1 to which a broach, chisel, or other end effector for inserting or removing implants or prostheses may be attached.

The striker guide 11 may also have a striker guide vent 20, which striker guide vent 20 allows air in front of the striker 25 to escape, thereby increasing the impact force of the striker 25 on the anvil 14. The striker guide vent holes 20 allow venting within the cavity of the tool body, thereby creating independent air circulation, preventing air from escaping from the tool and achieving a better tool seal. The position and size of the striker guide vent 20 may also be used to adjust the impact force. Further, it has been unexpectedly found that the addition of the striker guide vent 20 increases the impact force of the striker 25 on the anvil 14.

In an embodiment, as the piston 24 continues on its stroke, the piston 24 moves in a rearward direction, which moves it into contact with the rear striker face 28 of the striker 25 and moves the striker 25 toward the rear of the tool. This causes the pawl 10 to lock or hold the striker 25 in place for the next impact. The piston 24 completes its rearward stroke and preferably actuates the sensor 22, which sensor 22 signals the motor 8 to stop so that the piston 24 rests at or near the bottom dead center of the vacuum chamber 23. The vacuum chamber 23 preferably has a pressure relief valve or check valve 9 or other small opening, which pressure relief valve or check valve 9 or other small opening is in the embodiment part of the piston 24. The valve 9 may also be located at other points in the vacuum chamber 23 and allow any air that collects in the vacuum chamber 23 to be expelled out of the vacuum chamber 23 during each cycle. In a further embodiment, the valve effect may be replaced by a cup seal instead of an O-ring seal. This ensures that near atmospheric pressure occurs in the vacuum chamber 23 at the beginning of the operating cycle, thereby ensuring that each impact utilizes the same amount of energy, which is important for orthopedic impacts, at least for one reason to ensure a substantially constant force and impact rate over multiple impact situations. Thus, over one complete cycle, both forward and backward impact forces may be applied to the broach, chisel or other end effector, or implant/prosthesis.

In a further embodiment, the motor 8 of the tool causes the linear motion converter 12 to move the plunger 24 until the plunger 24 moves a sufficient distance to cause the forward portion of the plunger to impact a portion of the striker and overcome the pawl 10 holding the striker in the rearward position. Upon release of the striker from the pawl 10, the vacuum in vacuum chamber 23 forces the striker, accelerating it, sliding it axially downward from the chamber into the tool housing and striking the anvil forward impact surface 16. In fig. 3, the anvil forward impact surface 16 causes the anvil 14 and/or tool holder to move forward, while in fig. 4, the anvil retraction impact surface 26 causes the anvil 14 and/or tool holder to move backward. The resulting force may be transmitted through an end of the anvil 14 near the anvil forward impact surface 16, optionally through an adapter 1 to which a broach, chisel, or other end effector for inserting or removing implants or prostheses may be attached.

In another embodiment, a compressed air chamber 5 may be used in conjunction with the piston 6 and striker 4 to generate the impact force, as shown in fig. 6-9. In this embodiment, the motor 8 of the tool causes the linear motion converter 12 to move the piston 6 until sufficient pressure is generated within the compressed air chamber 5, which compressed air chamber 5 is disposed between the distal end of the piston 6 and the proximal end of the striker 4 to overcome the detent 10 holding the striker 4 in the rearward position and/or the inertia or friction holding the striker 4 in the rearward position. Once sufficient pressure is reached, the air passage 19 is opened and air pressure accelerates the striker 4, which striker 4 slides axially downward from the cavity and strikes the anvil 14. The cross-sectional area of the air passage 19 is preferably less than 50% of the cross-sectional area of the striker 4, thereby reducing the amount of retention force required by the pawl 10. The resulting force is transmitted through the end of the anvil 14 located near the anvil forward impact surface 16 and, optionally, through the adapter 1 to which a broach, chisel or other device for inserting or removing implants or prostheses may be attached.

As the piston 6 continues on its stroke, the piston 6 moves in the rearward direction, creating a slight vacuum in the compressed air chamber 5. This vacuum may be transmitted through air passage 19 to the back of striker 4, creating a return force on striker 4 that moves striker 4 in a rearward direction, i.e., away from the point of impact of striker 4 on anvil forward impact surface 16. If the adapter 1 is attached to an anvil 14, the force may be transmitted through the adapter 1, which may have attached thereto a broach, chisel, or other end effector for inserting or removing implants or prostheses.

Further, when the tool is pulled out of the cavity, the striker 4 does not impact the anvil 14, but instead impacts the alternate surface, thereby transmitting a rearward force to the anvil 14. Which in the exemplary embodiment is shown as an actuating pin 27. The actuator pin 27 transmits force to the lever arm 17, which lever arm 17 transmits a rearward force to the anvil 14, and in particular to the anvil retraction stroke surface 26.

The tool may further facilitate a controlled continued impact that is dependent on the position of the start switch (which may be operatively coupled to a power source or motor, for example). For such a follow-on impact, after the start switch is actuated, the tool may complete a cycle at a rate proportional to the position of the start switch, depending on the position of the start switch. Thus, the surgeon has easy control over the creation or shaping of the surgical field with a single percussive impact or follow-on impact mode of operation.

A sensor 22 operatively coupled to the control device 21 may be provided to assist in adjusting the preferred cyclic operation of the linear motion converter 12. For example, sensor 22 may communicate at least one position to control device 21 to cause linear motion converter 12 to stop at or near a position where at least 75% of the full power stroke is available for the next cycle. This position is referred to as the rest position. This has been found to be advantageous over existing tools, allowing the user to ensure that the tool impacts at the same energy level during each cycle. Without this level of control, the repeatability of single cycle impact is limited, thereby reducing the surgeon's confidence in the tool.

The tool is further capable of fine tuning the magnitude of the impact energy per cycle by, for example, the energy control element 18. By controlling the impact energy, the tool can avoid damage caused by uncontrolled impacts or impacts of excessive energy. For example, for an elderly patient with osteoporosis, the user may lower the impact settings, or may increase the impact settings for a more elastic or intact motor bone structure.

In an embodiment, the energy control element 18 preferably comprises a selectable release arrangement on the pawl 10 holding the striker 25. It will be apparent that with an increase in the pressure required to pull the striker 25 from the pawl 10, the striker will also impact the anvil 14 with greater energy. In another embodiment, the pawl 10 may include an electrically controlled element. The electrically controlled element can be released at different points in the cycle, thereby limiting the size of the vacuum chamber 23, which vacuum chamber 23 acts on the striker 25. In an embodiment, the electrically controlled element is an electromagnet.

In another embodiment, the vacuum chamber 23 or the compressed air chamber 5 may comprise an energy control element 18, the energy control element 18 taking the form of an adjustable leak, such as an adjustable valve. This gap reduces the amount of energy that accelerates the striker 4 or 25, thereby reducing the impact energy on the anvil 14. For an adjustable miss, adjusting the miss to a maximum may minimize the impact energy of the striker 4 or 25, while adjusting the miss to close (zero miss) may maximize the impact energy of the striker 4 or 25.

The tool may further comprise a flexible device interposed between the device 4 or 25 and the surgical end effector with the purpose of distributing the impact force over a longer period of time, thereby achieving the same total energy per impact, but with a reduced force. This can be seen from the results of the two load cell test on the instrument shown in figure 10. This type of flexible device may limit peak forces during an impact to prevent such peaks from fracturing the patient. In a further embodiment, the flexible means may be adjustable, and in a further embodiment, the flexible means may be interposed between the striker 4 or 25 and the anvil 14 or surgical tool. In this or other ways, the tool helps to keep axial broaching and implant placement consistent. Preferably, the flexible means increases the impact time of the striker to at least 4 milliseconds, preferably 10 milliseconds. This is in contrast to the impact of very high impact forces due to the higher strength of the striker 4 or 25 and anvil 14 (both made of steel, for example). Preferably, the flexible means comprises an elastic material, such as urethane, rubber, or other elastic material that recovers well upon impact and exerts minimal damping of the total energy.

In further embodiments, adapter 1 may include a coupling arrangement or other adjustment means to allow the surgeon to modify the position of a broach, chisel, or other end effector without the need to rotate the tool. In embodiments, the adapter 1 may receive a broach for anterior or posterior joint replacement by a biasing mechanism or by a rotational or pivotal coupling between the tool and the patient. Adapter 1 may thereby maintain the broach or surgical end effector in a direction parallel or collinear with the body of the tool and striker 25. Adapter 1 may also include clamps, accessories, or any other fastener that can securely hold a broach, chisel, or other end effector during operation of the tool.

In use, the surgeon holds or grasps the tool steady by the handle grips and illuminates the work area with light emitted by the LEDs, and then accurately positions the broach, chisel, or other end effector attached to the tool in the proper position on the prosthesis or implant. The reciprocating movement of the tool against the broach, chisel or other end effector effects the shaping of the cavity and the insertion or removal of the prosthesis.

The tools disclosed herein provide a number of advantages over the prior art. The tool facilitates controlled impingement of the surgical field, which minimizes unnecessary trauma to the patient's body and achieves precise shaping of the implant or prosthetic base. The tool also enables the surgeon to modulate the impact direction, impact force and impact frequency, improving the surgeon's ability to manipulate the tool. Flexible control adjustment of the force and impact settings enables the surgeon to set the impact force according to the patient's particular bone type or other profile. Improved efficiency and reduced linear motion converter load enable the use of smaller batteries and reduced component costs. Thus, the tool enables the prosthesis or implant to be properly placed into or removed from the implantation chamber.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed herein, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims (20)

1. A portable battery-powered surgical impactor for impacting an object with repeatable, controllable impact forces to urge operation of a surgical facility in opposite directions, said impactor comprising:

a rotation driving mechanism;

a linear motion converter that converts an output of the rotary drive mechanism into linear motion;

an integrated battery source that powers a rotational drive mechanism of the portable impactor;

an energy storage device that receives energy from the linear motion converter;

a striker operable to impact at least two different impact surfaces based on the repeatable controllable impact force imparted to the striker to provide the repeatable controllable impact force to an adapter, the repeatable controllable impact force provided to a first impact surface urging the adapter in a first direction, the repeatable controllable impact force provided to a second impact surface urging the adapter in a direction opposite the first direction; and

a control circuit operable to control energy storage and release to the energy storage device to deliver the repeatable controllable impact force to the adapter, the adapter configured to receive a surgical instrument to engage the object.

2. The impactor of claim 1, wherein the selection of the at least two impact surfaces is based on a user biasing force applied to the impactor.

3. The impactor of claim 2, wherein a user bias force in the direction of the object causes the striker to impact the first impact surface.

4. The impactor of claim 2, wherein a user bias force in a direction away from the object causes the striker to impact the second impact surface.

5. The impactor of claim 1, wherein the energy storage mechanism includes a cavity that operates for a portion of a storage cycle at less than 9 psia.

6. The impactor of claim 1, wherein the energy storage mechanism operates at a pressure of at least 50 psia.

7. The impactor of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device includes a cavity that is under at least a partial vacuum when the striker impacts a first surface to push the surgical instrument in the first direction.

8. The impactor of claim 1, further comprising:

a pawl mechanism that retains the striker in the first position until the pawl mechanism is released to enable the energy storage mechanism to release energy onto the striker.

9. The impactor of claim 1, wherein the energy storage mechanism is a compressed air storage cavity.

10. The impactor of claim 1, further comprising:

an energy adjustment mechanism that adjusts the impact energy that the striker transmits to the adapter as a function of patient contour.

11. The impactor of claim 1, further comprising a stroke limiter, the stroke limiter limiting the stroke of the adapter to less than 50% of the striker stroke.

12. The impactor of claim 1, wherein the striker is operatively coupled to the adapter by an anvil having the at least two impact surfaces.

13. The impactor of claim 1, further comprising:

a flexible insert for distributing impact forces to the at least two different impact surfaces over a period of time.

14. The impactor of claim 13, wherein the flexible member is formed from an elastic material.

15. The impactor of claim 1, wherein the adapter is configured to releasably connect to the surgical facility.

16. The impactor as defined in claim 1, wherein the striker is guided along a guide portion having an opening therein for venting during operation.

17. The impactor of claim 11, further comprising:

a sensor operably coupled to the control circuit to adjust the linear motion converter to a preferred cyclic operation.

18. The impactor as defined in claim 17, wherein the sensor detects a position of the linear power converter to limit a stroke to a power that is less than a percentage of full power.

19. A portable battery-powered surgical impactor for impacting an object with repeatable, controllable impact forces to urge operation of a surgical facility in opposite directions, said impactor comprising:

a rotation driving mechanism;

means for converting the output of the rotary drive mechanism into linear motion;

an integrated battery source that powers a drive mechanism of the portable impactor;

a control circuit that controls energy storage and release of an energy storage device by the transfer device to produce the repeatable controllable impact force;

a facility base that receives a surgical facility; and

a striker operable to impact at least two different impact surfaces based on the repeatable controllable impact force imparted to the striker to provide the repeatable controllable impact force to the facility base, the repeatable controllable impact force provided to a first impact surface urging the facility base in a first direction, the repeatable controllable impact force provided to a second impact surface urging the facility base in a direction opposite the first direction.

20. The impactor of claim 19, wherein a user bias force in a direction away from the object causes the striker to impact the second impact surface.