Method and apparatus for protecting modular implant connection

Abstract

Apparatus and methods of protecting modular implant connection portions are provided. A guard includes an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a cavity that covers a modular implant connection portion. The modular implant connection covered with the guard can facilitate test-fitting of other modular implant components and allows reaming of the tissue around the guard.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for protecting a modular implant connection portion comprising:
 a guard having an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a cavity, wherein at least a portion of the modular implant connection portion is received in the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guard further includes at least one grasping feature, wherein the grasping feature is selected from the group consisting of recessed dimples and ridges and further wherein the grasping feature is formed into the outer sidewall of the guard. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising an instrument mateable to the grasping feature to facilitate removal of the guard from the modular implant connection portion. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guard is formed of plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the guard is formed of polyethylene or PEEK. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an interior diameter of the guard varies from a distal end of the guard to a proximal end of the guard and an exterior cylindrical diameter of the guard remains constant from the distal end of the guard to the proximal end of the guard. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer sidewall of the guard is a cylindrical sidewall and the inner sidewall of the guard is a tapered sidewall. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guard further includes a top wall at its proximal end. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the guard top wall further defines an opening therein. 
     
     
         10 . A modular implant system comprising:
 a. a first implant including a first modular implant connection portion having a tapered exterior side wall; and   b. a guard having an outer cylindrical sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a cavity, wherein the first modular implant connection portion is at least partially received in the cavity to cover at least a portion of the first modular implant connection portion.   
     
     
         11 . The modular implant system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a second implant including a second modular implant connection portion having a tapered interior sidewall that mates with a tapered exterior sidewall of the first modular implant connection portion. 
     
     
         12 . The modular implant system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a trial implant defining a cylindrical interior sidewall that removably mates with the outer cylindrical sidewall of the guard. 
     
     
         13 . The modular implant system according to  claim 12 , wherein the trial implant is of a shape substantially similar to the second implant. 
     
     
         14 . The modular implant system according to  claim 13 , wherein the second implant includes a cavity capable of mating with at least a portion of the first modular implant connection portion. 
     
     
         15 . The modular implant system according to  claim 10 , wherein the inner sidewall of the guard is tapered or cylindrical. 
     
     
         16 . A method for implanting a modular implant system comprising:
 a. attaching a guard having a cylindrical exterior sidewall to a modular implant connection portion of a first member;   b. positioning the first member in a patient; and   c. attaching a second member to the first member, wherein the second member defines a cylindrical bore that receives at least a portion of the guard.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second member is selected from the group consisting of a reaming device and a trial body. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising reaming a portion of a tissue surrounding the first member with the reaming device while the reaming device is positioned on the guard. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the reaming is performed along a longitudinal axis of the bone to a depth equal to the length of the guard. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising positioning the trial body on the guard and relative to the first member, wherein the positioning provides a removable and unlocked fit between the trial body and the guard on the first member.