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 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 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, 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.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the implant is an insert. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the implant is a head. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the force applier is a screw and the applying the force includes turning the screw. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the instrument further includes a handle coupled to the screw and turning the screw includes turning the handle to turn the screw. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the proximal portion of the frame includes a foot coupled to a distal portion of the screw and as the screw is turned, the screw moves along the force applier axis.