Method and apparatus for performing a minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

A method and apparatus for performing a minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty. The apparatus may include a provisional femoral head allowing for radial placement thereof on a provisional femoral neck.

1 . A provisional femoral head, comprising: 
 a spherical body having a generally cylindrical internal aperture formed in a distal end of said spherical body, said internal aperture sized to accommodate a provisional femoral neck, said spherical body further including a first clamp aperture sized to receive a first blade end of a clamp.    
     
     
         2 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 1 , wherein said spherical body includes a cutout intersecting said internal aperture.  
     
     
         3 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 2 , wherein said cutout is sized whereby a provisional femoral neck can traverse said cutout to be positioned within said internal aperture.  
     
     
         4 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 1 , wherein said cylindrical internal aperture defines a curved interior wall of said spherical body.  
     
     
         5 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 4 , further including a recess formed in said interior wall, said recess sized to accommodate a projection on the provisional femoral neck, whereby the provisional femoral head and the provisional femoral neck are engaged in an interference engagement.  
     
     
         6 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 5 , wherein said interference engagement comprises a snap-fit engagement.  
     
     
         7 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 5 , wherein said recess extends at least partially circumferentially around said curved interior wall.  
     
     
         8 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 5 , wherein said projection extends at least partially circumferentially around the provisional femoral neck.  
     
     
         9 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 1 , further comprising an extension portion extending from said spherical body and further defining said cylindrical internal aperture.  
     
     
         10 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 9 , wherein said extension portion comprises a substantially cylindrical extension portion.  
     
     
         11 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 1 , further comprising a second clamp aperture sized to receive a second blade end of said clamp, said first and said second clamp apertures extending through an exterior wall of said spherical body, said first and said second clamp apertures forming a first opposing pair of clamp apertures into which said first and said second blades of said clamp can be positioned to secure the provisional femoral head to said clamp.  
     
     
         12 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 11 , further comprising a third clamp aperture and a fourth clamp aperture, said third and said fourth clamp apertures forming a second opposing pair of clamp apertures.  
     
     
         13 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 1 , further comprising a vent aperture fluidly connecting said internal aperture and a proximal end of said spherical body.  
     
     
         14 . A provisional femoral head, comprising: 
 a spherical body having a generally cylindrical internal aperture formed in a distal end of said spherical body, said internal aperture sized to accommodate a provisional femoral neck, said spherical body further including a first clamp aperture sized to receive a first blade end of a clamp and a second clamp aperture sized to receive a second blade end of said clamp, said first and said second clamp apertures extending through an exterior wall of said spherical body, said first and said second clamp apertures forming a first opposing pair of clamp apertures into which said first and said second blades of said clamp can be positioned to secure the provisional femoral head to said clamp.    
     
     
         15 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 14 , further comprising a third clamp aperture and a fourth clamp aperture, said third and said fourth clamp apertures forming a second opposing pair of clamp apertures.  
     
     
         16 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 14 , wherein said spherical body includes a cutout intersecting said internal aperture.  
     
     
         17 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 16 , wherein said cutout is sized whereby a provisional femoral neck can traverse said cutout to be positioned within said internal aperture.  
     
     
         18 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 14 , wherein said cylindrical internal aperture defines a curved interior wall of said spherical body.  
     
     
         19 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 18 , further including a recess formed in said interior wall, said recess sized to accommodate a projection on the provisional femoral neck, whereby the provisional femoral head and the provisional femoral neck are engaged in an interference engagement.  
     
     
         20 . The provisional femoral head of  claim 14 , further comprising a vent aperture fluidly connecting said internal aperture and a proximal end of said spherical body.