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. The retaining member includes a pair of moveable arms extending from the distal portion of the frame, the pair of moveable arms adapted to engage a pair of recesses on opposing sides of the neck. 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 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for assembling a taper between a neck and an implant, the taper having a taper axis, the method comprising:
 using an assembly instrument, the assembly instrument including a frame having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the frame including a retaining member, wherein the retaining member includes a pair of moveable arms extending from the distal portion of the frame, the pair of moveable arms adapted to engage a pair of recesses on opposing sides of the neck, the instrument further including a force applier retained in the proximal portion of the frame, the force applier having an axis that is coaxial with the taper 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.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , 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. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein inserting the neck into the retaining member of the frame includes inserting the pair of arms into the pair of recesses. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 claim  55 , further comprising utilizing a locking screw to lock the pair of arms into position. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the frame includes a middle portion having a body which is adapted to slideably retain the proximal portion. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the body includes a pair of channels adapted to slidably retain the pair of arms.