Patent Description:
Joint arthroplasty is a well-known surgical procedure by which a diseased and/or damaged natural joint is replaced by a prosthetic joint. For example, in a hip arthroplasty surgical procedure, a patient's natural hip ball and socket joint is partially or totally replaced by a prosthetic hip joint. A typical prosthetic hip joint includes an acetabular cup component and a femoral head component. An acetabular cup component generally includes an outer shell configured to engage the acetabulum of the patient and an inner bearing or liner coupled to the shell and configured to engage the femoral head. The femoral head component and inner liner of the acetabular component form a ball and socket joint that approximates the natural hip joint.

To facilitate the replacement of the natural joint with a prosthetic hip joint, orthopaedic surgeons may use a variety of orthopaedic surgical instruments such as, for example, reamers, drill guides, drills, positioners, insertion tools and/or other surgical instruments. The acetabular component is typically inserted into the patient's acetabulum using an acetabular prosthetic component inserter. Poor alignment of the acetabular prosthetic component relative to the patient's bony anatomy can result in component loosening and/or dislocation over time and use of the prosthetic hip joint. <CIT> provides a patient specific alignment guide according to the preamble of claim <NUM> and <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> represent other examples of alignment guides.

According to one aspect, an inclination guide for use with an implant insertion tool during a surgical procedure includes a unitary body having a clip configured to be coupled to a mounting surface of the implant insertion tool, an elongated riser extending from the clip to a first joint, and an elongated indicator extending from the first joint of the elongated riser to a distal end, wherein the clip defines an interior volume and an imaginary tool axis that extends through the interior volume, wherein the elongated riser extends from the clip away from the imaginary tool axis to a first joint, wherein the elongated indicator and the imaginary tool axis define an indication angle, wherein the indication angle is predetermined and fixed.

In an embodiment, the unitary body is a molded polymeric body. The unitary body may be formed from polyphenylsulfone (PPSU). In another embodiment, the unitary body may be formed from a metallic material.

In an embodiment, the clip includes a first curved arm that extends away from the elongated riser to a first end and a second curved arm that extends away from the elongated riser to a second end. The first curved arm and the second curved arm cooperate to define the interior volume. The first end and the second end cooperate to define a slot that provides access to the interior volume.

In an embodiment, a first rounded ledge is included on the first end of the first curved arm and a second rounded ledge is included on the second end of the second curved arm. Each of the first rounded ledge and the second rounded ledge curves away from the slot.

In an embodiment, wherein each of the first end of the first curved arm and the second end of the second curved arm have a chamfered edge. The chamfered edges are configured to engage the implant insertion tool and to urge the slot open when engaged with the implant insertion tool.

In an embodiment, the the first curved arm and the second curved arm may define a plano-concave interior surface configured to engage a cylindrical mounting surface of the implant insertion tool. In another embodiment, the first curved arm and the second curved arm may define a tapered concave interior surface configured to engage a conical frustum mounting surface of the implant insertion tool.

In an embodiment, the clip includes interior surface that confronts the mounting surface of the implant insertion tool while the clip is coupled to the mounting surface. The interior surface includes three contact points, and each of the three contact points is configured to engage the mounting surface of the implant insertion tool.

In an embodiment, the clip includes a first tooth and a second tooth that extend inwardly into the interior volume from an interior surface of the clip toward the imaginary tool axis. The first tooth and the second tooth are configured to engage a respective groove of the mounting surface. The mounting surface may include a plurality of ridges parallel to the imaginary tool axis. Each pair of ridges is separated by a groove.

In an embodiment, the clip includes a first curved arm that extends away from the elongated riser to a first end and a second curved arm that extends away from the elongated riser to a second end. The first curved arm and the second curved arm cooperate to define the interior volume. The first end and the second end cooperate to define a slot that provides access to the interior volume. The first tooth is on the first end of the first curved arm, and the second tooth is on the second end of the second curved arm.

According to information useful as background only, there is provided, a method of performing an orthopaedic surgical procedure on a surgically-prepared acetabulum of a patient's hip includes attaching an inclination guide, that is separate from an implant insertion tool, to the implant insertion tool by passing a portion of the implant insertion tool through a slot in a clip of the inclination guide, inserting a distal end of the implant insertion tool into the surgically-prepared acetabulum of the patient's hip in response to attaching the inclination guide, and measuring an inclination angle of the implant insertion tool using an elongated indicator of the inclination guide while the distal end of the implant insertion tool is inserted into the surgically prepared acetabulum.

In the background information, the method may further include rotating the inclination guide about a tool axis defined by a body of the implant insertion tool subsequent to attaching the inclination guide. Measuring the inclination angle may be performed subsequent to rotating the inclination guide.

In the background information, attaching the inclination guide includes engaging a tooth of the clip with a first groove of a mounting surface of the implant insertion tool, and rotating the inclination guide includes moving the tooth of the clip from the first groove to a second groove of the mounting surface. The mounting surface includes a plurality of ridges parallel to the tool axis, and each pair of ridges is separated by a groove.

In the background information, the method further includes sliding the inclination guide in a direction along a tool axis of the implant insertion tool subsequent to attaching the inclination guide, such that an interior surface of the clip is engaged with a conical frustum mounting surface of the implant insertion tool.

In the background information, attaching the inclination guide includes pressing on a pair of rounded ledges on each end of the clip.

In the background information, the method further includes removing the inclination guide by passing the portion of the implant insertion tool out through the slot in the clip subsequent to measuring the inclination angle. Removing the inclination guide may include pulling on a pair of rounded ledges on each end of the clip.

The detailed description particularly refers to the following figures, in which:.

While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Terms representing anatomical references, such as anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, superior, inferior, etcetera, may be used throughout this disclosure in reference to both the orthopaedic implants described herein and a patient's natural anatomy. Such terms have well-understood meanings in both the study of anatomy and the field of orthopaedics. Use of such anatomical reference terms in the specification and claims is intended to be consistent with their well-understood meanings unless noted otherwise.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown an alignment guide <NUM> for use with an implant insertion tool <NUM> for inserting an acetabular cup component into the acetabulum of a patient during an orthopaedic surgical procedure. As will be described in more detail below, the alignment guide <NUM> is configured to be assembled with the implant insertion tool <NUM>, and the radial angle of the alignment guide <NUM> may be adjusted after assembly as desired by the orthopaedic surgeon or caregiver. As described further below, the alignment guide <NUM> may be used with a variety of different types of insertion tools, including straight and curved implant insertion tools. Accordingly, the alignment guide <NUM> may improve ease of use and reduce operation time while being adaptable to surgeon preference. Additionally, in some embodiments, the alignment guide <NUM> may be constructed from lightweight materials at low cost. It should be appreciated that although the concepts of the present disclosure are herein described in regard to an implant insertion tool for use in an orthopaedic hip procedure, the concepts of the present disclosure may be utilized in the design of other types of alignment guides, in particular for other procedures where transverse alignment is required.

The illustrative alignment guide <NUM> has a unitary body formed from a single piece of molded polymer. For example, the alignment guide <NUM> may be formed from a sulfone polymer such as polyphenylsulfone (PPSU). Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the alignment guide <NUM> may be formed from any resilient polymeric material. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the alignment guide <NUM> may be formed from metallic material.

The alignment guide <NUM> includes a clip <NUM>, a riser <NUM>, and an elongated indicator <NUM>. The clip <NUM> includes a pair of curved arms <NUM>, <NUM> that define an interior volume <NUM>, as well as an imaginary axis <NUM> that extends through the interior volume <NUM>. The arms <NUM>, <NUM> include an interior surface <NUM> that extends from a distal end <NUM> of the arm <NUM> to a distal end <NUM> of the arm <NUM>. The ends <NUM>, <NUM> define a slot <NUM> therebetween through which the interior volume <NUM> is accessible.

As described further below, when the alignment guide <NUM> is coupled to the implant insertion tool <NUM>, a portion of the implant insertion tool <NUM> passes through the slot <NUM> into the interior volume <NUM>, and the interior surface <NUM> of the arms <NUM>, <NUM> contacts or engages a corresponding mounting surface of the implant insertion tool <NUM>. Each end <NUM>, <NUM> of the corresponding arms <NUM>, <NUM> includes a corresponding chamfered edge <NUM>, <NUM>. Because the slot <NUM> is undersized relative to the body of the insertion tool <NUM>, the arms <NUM>, <NUM> are urged apart when the chamfered edges <NUM>, <NUM> engage the body of the implant insertion tool <NUM>, which increases the width of the slot <NUM> and allows the implant insertion tool <NUM> to pass into the interior volume <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The riser <NUM> of the alignment guide <NUM> extends away from the clip <NUM> perpendicular to the axis <NUM> toward a dogleg joint <NUM>. Although the illustrative riser <NUM> is embodied as a post extending perpendicular from the clip <NUM>, it should be understood that the riser <NUM> may have another shape and/or extend at another angle away from the axis <NUM> in other embodiments. Additionally, in some embodiments, the riser <NUM> may be adapted to provide a gripping surface for a surgeon, for example by including mounds, knurling, or other grip-enhancing features.

The indicator <NUM> extends from the dogleg joint <NUM> of the riser <NUM> to a distal end <NUM>. The illustrative indicator <NUM> is embodied as a post; however, similar to the riser <NUM>, in other embodiments the indicator <NUM> may be otherwise shaped. The indicator <NUM> and the axis <NUM> define an indication angle <NUM>. The illustrative indication angle <NUM> is defined as <NUM> degrees; however, in other embodiments the indication angle <NUM> may be <NUM> degrees or another angle. In some embodiments, the magnitude of the indication angle <NUM> may be molded into the clip <NUM> or otherwise indicated visually on the alignment guide <NUM> via a label or text. As described further below, a surgeon may use the indicator <NUM> to visually measure and confirm the inclination angle of the acetabular cup as it is installed in the patient's hip. The surgeon may select among multiple alignment guides <NUM> based on the desired indication angle <NUM>.

The particular indication angle <NUM> may be selected based upon the desired surgical approach, the desired final inclination angle of the acetabular cup, the alignment of the patient's hip in relation to the operating table, and/or other factors. For example, in some embodiments, the angle of the patient's hip, the desired final inclination angle of the acetabular cup, and the indication angle <NUM> may sum to <NUM> degrees (i.e., vertical in relation to the operating room). As an example, for a posterior surgical approach, the patient alignment angle may be <NUM> degrees, the desired final inclination angle of the acetabular cup may be <NUM> degrees, and the indication angle <NUM> may be <NUM> degrees such that the indicator <NUM> is substantially vertical relative to the operating room when the acetabular cup is properly aligned to <NUM> degrees. As another example, for an anterior surgical approach, the patient alignment angle may be five degrees, the desired final inclination angle of the acetabular cup may be <NUM> degrees, and the indication angle <NUM> may be <NUM> degrees. Of course, other angles may be used.

Referring now to <FIG>, in use, the alignment guide <NUM> may be attached to the implant insertion tool <NUM> as discussed above. The illustrative implant insertion tool <NUM> has an elongated metallic body <NUM> having an impact head <NUM> on its proximal end and an attachment mechanism <NUM> on its distal end. The body <NUM> defines an imaginary tool axis <NUM> that extends from the attachment mechanism <NUM> to the impact head <NUM>. The implant insertion tool <NUM> may have a straight body <NUM> or, similar to the tool shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments the body <NUM> may be curved, for example to avoid patient anatomy.

The impact head <NUM> of the implant insertion tool <NUM> is illustratively embodied as a metallic strike plate formed in the body <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that the strike plate could be embodied as a separate component welded or otherwise secured to the body <NUM>. In use, the surgeon holds the assembled implant insertion tool <NUM> via the body <NUM> and strikes impact head <NUM> with a surgical mallet, sledge, or other impaction tool to drive an acetabular cup component <NUM> into the patient's surgically-prepared acetabular surface <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The body <NUM> includes a mounting surface <NUM> formed on part of the body <NUM>. The illustrative mounting surface <NUM> is embodied as a conic frustum; however, in other embodiments the mounting surface <NUM> may be cylindrical or have another shape. The body <NUM> further includes an attachment section <NUM> adjacent to the mounting surface <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the attachment section <NUM> is narrower than the mounting surface <NUM> in at least one dimension. For example, the illustrative attachment part <NUM> includes flat sides <NUM>, <NUM>, which oppose each other to reduce the width of the attachment section <NUM>.

In use, the alignment guide <NUM> may be utilized by a surgeon with an implant insertion tool <NUM> to implant the acetabular cup component <NUM> into a surgically-prepared acetabulum <NUM> of a patient (see <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the alignment guide <NUM> may be coupled, attached, or otherwise clipped to the implant insertion tool <NUM> at the attachment section <NUM>. To do so, the surgeon or other user places the clip <NUM> of the alignment guide <NUM> in contact with the attachment section <NUM> and then presses the alignment guide <NUM> in a downwardly direction <NUM> toward the implant insertion tool <NUM>. Illustratively, as the alignment guide <NUM> contacts the implant insertion tool <NUM>, the chamfered edges <NUM>, <NUM> engage with the flat sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the attachment part <NUM> and force the slot <NUM> open to allow the attachment section <NUM> into the interior volume <NUM>. The surgeon may slide the alignment guide <NUM> onto the implant insertion tool <NUM> in the direction <NUM> until the interior surface <NUM> contacts the implant insertion tool <NUM>. After contacting the implant insertion tool <NUM>, the clip <NUM> surrounds the tool axis <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the surgeon or other user may rotate the alignment guide <NUM> about the tool axis <NUM>. Because the mounting surface <NUM> and the interior surface <NUM> are relatively smooth, the alignment guide <NUM> may be freely rotated to any angle <NUM> about the tool axis <NUM>. The surgeon may select the angle based on individual preference, to adjust to patient anatomy, or for other reasons.

As shown in <FIG>, after selecting the appropriate rotational angle, the surgeon or other user presses or slides the alignment guide <NUM> in a direction <NUM> toward the mounting surface <NUM>. As the alignment guide <NUM> moves onto the mounting surface <NUM>, the tapered interior surface <NUM> of the alignment guide <NUM> engages against the conical frustum mounting surface <NUM> of the implant insertion tool <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the interior surface <NUM> is formed so as to contact the mounting surface <NUM> at three contact points <NUM> of the interior surface <NUM>. The contact points <NUM> may be formed, for example, via mounds, tabs, ridges, or other features that protrude from the interior surface <NUM>. Of course, in other embodiments, additional contact points <NUM> may be used.

When engaged, the alignment guide <NUM> establishes a friction lock in position on the mounting surface <NUM>. After being locked in position, the alignment guide <NUM> remains at the rotational angle <NUM> selected by the surgeon due to frictional forces between the alignment guide <NUM> and the implant insertion tool <NUM>. The surgeon may unlock the alignment guide <NUM> by moving the alignment guide <NUM> in a direction opposite the direction <NUM>, which allows the surgeon to adjust the rotational angle of the alignment guide <NUM>. Although illustrated as establishing a taper fit in <FIG>, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the alignment guide <NUM> may clip onto the implant insertion tool <NUM> using any suitable interference fit. For example, illustrative embodiments of alignment guides <NUM> that attach to the implant insertion tool <NUM> using an interference fit are shown below in connection with <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown an alignment guide <NUM> for use with an implant insertion tool for inserting an acetabular cup component into the acetabulum of a patient during an orthopaedic surgical procedure. Similar to the alignment guide <NUM>, the illustrative alignment guide <NUM> has a unitary body formed from a single piece of molded polymer. For example, the alignment guide <NUM> may be formed from a sulfone polymer such as polyphenylsulfone (PPSU). Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the alignment guide <NUM> may be formed from any resilient polymeric material. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the alignment guide <NUM> may be formed from metallic material.

Also similar to the alignment guide <NUM>, the alignment guide <NUM> includes a clip <NUM>, a riser <NUM>, and an elongated indicator <NUM>. The clip <NUM> includes a pair of curved arms <NUM>, <NUM> that define an interior volume <NUM>, as well as an imaginary axis <NUM> that extends through the interior volume <NUM>. The arms <NUM>, <NUM> include an interior surface <NUM> that extends from a distal end <NUM> of the arm <NUM> to a distal end <NUM> of the arm <NUM>. The ends <NUM>, <NUM> define a slot <NUM> therebetween which the interior volume <NUM> is accessible. The interior surface <NUM> forms a plano-concave curve that engages a cylindrical mounting surface <NUM> of an insertion tool <NUM>, as described further below.

As described further below, when the alignment guide <NUM> is coupled to the implant insertion tool <NUM>, the mounting surface <NUM> of the implant insertion tool <NUM> passes through the slot <NUM> into the interior volume <NUM>, and the interior surface <NUM> of the arms <NUM>, <NUM> contacts or engages the mounting surface <NUM>. The illustrative arms <NUM>, <NUM> further include rounded ledges <NUM>, <NUM> on the respective ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The ledges <NUM>, <NUM> curve away from the slot <NUM> and may allow for ease of attachment or removal of the alignment guide <NUM> similar to the chamfered edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the alignment guide <NUM>. For example, the arms <NUM>, <NUM> are urged apart when the rounded ledges <NUM>, <NUM> engage the body of the implant insertion tool <NUM>, which increases the width of the slot <NUM> and allows the implant insertion tool <NUM> to pass into the interior volume <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Additionally, a surgeon may press or pull on the ledges <NUM>, <NUM> to ease attaching or removing the alignment guide <NUM>, respectively. The illustrative clip <NUM> includes a relief opening <NUM> between the arms <NUM>, <NUM> that allows the arms <NUM>, <NUM> to separate.

The riser <NUM> of the alignment guide <NUM> extends away from the clip <NUM> and the axis <NUM> toward a dogleg joint <NUM>. The illustrative riser <NUM> includes a grouping of mounds or ridges <NUM> formed in the surface of the riser <NUM> to provide a gripping surface for a surgeon. The illustrative riser <NUM> is formed to be hollow. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments the riser <NUM> may be solid or otherwise shaped. For example, in some embodiments, the riser <NUM> may be embodied as a rod extending from the clip <NUM> to the dogleg joint <NUM>, similar to the riser <NUM> of the alignment guide <NUM>.

The indicator <NUM> extends from the dogleg joint <NUM> of the riser <NUM> to a distal end <NUM>. The illustrative indicator <NUM> is formed to be hollow; however, similar to the riser <NUM>, in other embodiments the indicator <NUM> may be solid or otherwise shaped. The indicator <NUM> and the axis <NUM> define an indication angle <NUM>. The illustrative indication angle <NUM> is defined as <NUM> degrees; however, in other embodiments the indication angle <NUM> may be <NUM> degrees or another angle. In some embodiments, the magnitude of the indication angle <NUM> may be molded into the clip <NUM> or otherwise indicated visually on the alignment guide <NUM> via a label or text. As described further below, a surgeon may use the indicator <NUM> to visually measure and confirm the inclination angle of the acetabular cup as it is installed in the patient's hip. The surgeon may select among multiple alignment guides <NUM> based on the desired indication angle <NUM>. The surgeon may select the particular indication angle <NUM> as described above in connection with the alignment guide <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, in use, the alignment guide <NUM> may be attached to the implant insertion tool <NUM> as discussed above. Similar to the implant insertion tool of <FIG>, the illustrative implant insertion tool <NUM> has an elongated metallic body <NUM> having an impact head <NUM> on its proximal end and an attachment mechanism <NUM> on its distal end. The body <NUM> defines an imaginary tool axis <NUM> that extends from the attachment mechanism <NUM> to the impact head <NUM>. The implant insertion tool <NUM> may have a straight body <NUM> or, similar to the tool shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments the body <NUM> may be curved, for example to avoid patient anatomy. The body <NUM> includes a mounting surface <NUM> formed on a section of the body <NUM>. The illustrative mounting surface <NUM> is cylindrical.

In use, the alignment guide <NUM> may be utilized by a surgeon with an implant insertion tool <NUM> to implant the acetabular cup component <NUM> into the surgically-prepared acetabulum <NUM> of a patient (see <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the alignment guide <NUM> may be coupled, attached, or otherwise clipped to the implant insertion tool <NUM> at the mounting surface <NUM>. To do so, the surgeon or other user places the clip <NUM> of the alignment guide <NUM> in contact with the mounting surface <NUM> and then presses the alignment guide <NUM> in the downwardly direction <NUM> toward the implant insertion tool <NUM>. Illustratively, as the alignment guide <NUM> contacts the implant insertion tool <NUM>, the rounded ledges <NUM>, <NUM> engage with the cylindrical mounting surface <NUM> and force the slot <NUM> open to allow the mounting surface <NUM> into the interior volume <NUM>. The surgeon may slide the alignment guide <NUM> onto the implant insertion tool <NUM> in the direction <NUM> until the interior surface <NUM> contacts the implant insertion tool <NUM>. After the interior surface <NUM> contacts the implant insertion tool <NUM>, the clip <NUM> surrounds the tool axis <NUM>. When attached to the mounting surface <NUM>, the alignment guide <NUM> establishes an interference lock in position on the mounting surface <NUM>.

Similar to the alignment guide <NUM> shown in <FIG>, after attaching the alignment guide <NUM> to the implant insertion tool <NUM>, in some embodiments the surgeon may rotate the alignment guide <NUM> about the tool axis <NUM>. Because the mounting surface <NUM> and the interior surface <NUM> are relatively smooth, the alignment guide <NUM> may be freely rotated to any angle <NUM> about the tool axis <NUM>. The surgeon may select the angle based on individual preference, to adjust to patient anatomy, or for other reasons. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments the surgeon may remove the alignment guide <NUM>, reposition the alignment guide <NUM> at the desired angle <NUM> about the tool axis <NUM>, and then re-attach the alignment guide <NUM> at the desired angle <NUM> as discussed above.

Referring now to <FIG>, another embodiment of an alignment guide <NUM> for use with an implant insertion tool for inserting an acetabular cup component into the acetabulum of a patient during an orthopaedic surgical procedure is shown. Similar to the alignment guides <NUM>, <NUM>, the illustrative alignment guide <NUM> has a unitary body formed from a single piece of molded polymer. For example, the alignment guide <NUM> may be formed from a sulfone polymer such as polyphenylsulfone (PPSU). Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the alignment guide <NUM> may be formed from any resilient polymeric material. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the alignment guide <NUM> may be formed from metallic material.

Also similar to the alignment guides <NUM>, <NUM>, the illustrative alignment guide <NUM> includes a clip <NUM>, a riser <NUM>, and an elongated indicator <NUM>. The clip <NUM> includes a pair of curved arms <NUM>, <NUM> that define an interior volume <NUM>, as well as an imaginary axis <NUM> that extends through the interior volume <NUM>. The arms <NUM>, <NUM> include an interior surface <NUM> that extends from a distal end <NUM> of the arm <NUM> to a distal end <NUM> of the arm <NUM>. The ends <NUM>, <NUM> define a slot <NUM> therebetween which the interior volume <NUM> is accessible. The interior surface <NUM> includes a pair of teeth or other projections <NUM>, <NUM> that project into the interior volume <NUM>. Each tooth <NUM>, <NUM> is positioned at a respective end <NUM>, <NUM> of the corresponding arm <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, in use, the alignment guide <NUM> may be attached to an implant insertion tool <NUM>. Similar to the insertion tools <NUM>, <NUM>, the illustrative implant insertion tool <NUM> has an elongated metallic body <NUM> having an impact head <NUM> on its proximal end and an attachment mechanism <NUM> on its distal end. The body <NUM> defines an imaginary tool axis <NUM> that extends from the attachment mechanism <NUM> to the impact head <NUM>. Illustratively, the insertion tool <NUM> has a curved body <NUM>, which may be used to avoid soft tissue or other patient anatomy. However, in other embodiments the insertion tool <NUM> may have a straight body <NUM> similar to the insertion tools of <FIG> and <FIG>.

The body <NUM> of the insertion tool <NUM> includes a mounting surface <NUM> formed on a section of the body <NUM>. As best shown in <FIG>, the mounting surface <NUM> is generally cylindrical. The mounting surface <NUM> includes multiple ridges or steps <NUM> running parallel to the tool axis <NUM>. Each pair of ridges <NUM> is separated by a groove or valley <NUM>.

In use, as shown in <FIG>, the alignment guide <NUM> may be coupled, attached or otherwise clipped to the implant insertion tool <NUM> at the mounting surface <NUM>. To do so, the surgeon or other user places the clip <NUM> of the alignment guide <NUM> in contact with the mounting surface <NUM> and then presses the alignment guide <NUM> in the downwardly direction <NUM> toward the implant insertion tool <NUM>. The surgeon may slide the alignment guide <NUM> onto the implant insertion tool <NUM> in the direction <NUM> until the interior surface <NUM> contacts the implant insertion tool <NUM>. When in contact with the implant insertion tool <NUM>, the teeth <NUM>, <NUM> engage respective grooves <NUM> of the mounting surface <NUM>. The teeth <NUM>, <NUM> and a contact point <NUM> at the top of the interior surface <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) lock the alignment guide <NUM> to the insertion tool <NUM> with an interference fit. After contacting the implant insertion tool <NUM>, the axis <NUM> defined by the alignment guide <NUM> is parallel to the tool axis <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the surgeon may rotate the alignment guide <NUM> about the axis <NUM> after the alignment guide <NUM> is attached to the insertion tool <NUM>. As the surgeon rotates the alignment guide <NUM>, the teeth <NUM>, <NUM> engage respective ridges <NUM> and grooves <NUM> in the mounting surface <NUM>. The grooves <NUM> and ridges <NUM> cooperate to urge the teeth <NUM>, <NUM> to come to rest in engagement with respective grooves <NUM>, operating as detents that index rotation of the alignment guide <NUM>. Thus, the alignment guide <NUM> may be rotated by the surgeon to any of multiple predetermined angles <NUM> about the axis <NUM>, based on the arrangement of the ridges <NUM> and grooves <NUM> of the mounting surface <NUM>. The surgeon may select the angle <NUM> based on individual preference, to adjust to patient anatomy, or for other reasons. After rotation, the alignment guide <NUM> remains positively locked to the insertion tool <NUM> by the teeth <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an acetabular cup component being installed in the acetabulum of a patient's hip using an illustrative alignment guide <NUM> and implant insertion tool <NUM> is shown. However, it should be understood that the respective alignment guides <NUM>, <NUM> and insertion tools <NUM>, <NUM> may also be used in place of the alignment guide <NUM> and the insertion tool <NUM>. Once the alignment guide <NUM> and implant insertion tool <NUM> have been assembled in such a manner as described above, the surgeon secures an acetabular cup component <NUM> to the insertion tool <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments the acetabular cup component <NUM> may thread onto a threaded tip of the attachment mechanism <NUM>.

Thereafter, as shown in <FIG>, the surgeon uses the implant insertion tool <NUM> to position the acetabular cup component <NUM> such that its generally hemispherically-shaped bone-engaging surface <NUM> is inserted into the patient's surgically-prepared acetabular surface <NUM> in a desired orientation. The surgeon may use the indicator <NUM> of the alignment guide <NUM> to measure and adjust the inclination of the acetabular cup component <NUM>. In particular, the surgeon may adjust the angle of the insertion tool <NUM> until the indicator <NUM> is parallel with a vertical reference line <NUM> (i.e., pointing straight up). The vertical reference line <NUM> may be determined visually by the surgeon in relation to the floor, operating table, or other external reference. Positioning the indicator <NUM> such that it is parallel with the vertical reference line <NUM> ensures that the acetabular cup component <NUM> is positioned with a predetermined inclination angle (based on the particular indication angle <NUM> of the alignment guide <NUM> as described above). As shown, the riser <NUM> positions the indicator <NUM> away from the tool <NUM> and thus may improve visibility of the indicator <NUM>, for example by positioning the indicator <NUM> away from the surgeon's hands, patient anatomy, or other objects that could obscure visibility of the indicator <NUM>.

Once the acetabular cup component <NUM> is positioned in such a manner, the surgeon strikes the impact head <NUM> of the implant insertion tool <NUM> with a surgical mallet, sledge, or other impaction tool to drive the acetabular cup component <NUM> into the bone tissue until the acetabular cup component <NUM> is fully seated in the patient's surgically-prepared acetabular surface <NUM>.

The surgeon then releases the acetabular cup component <NUM> from the implant insertion tool <NUM>. For example, the surgeon may rotate the implant insertion tool <NUM> in a direction that loosens (i.e., unthreads) the threads of the tool <NUM> from a corresponding threaded hole of the acetabular cup component <NUM>.

After releasing the acetabular cup component <NUM>, the surgeon removes the alignment guide <NUM> from the insertion tool <NUM>. The surgeon pulls the alignment guide <NUM> away from the insertion tool <NUM> (i.e., opposite the direction <NUM> of <FIG>), and the insertion tool <NUM> passes out of the interior volume <NUM> through the slot <NUM>. When removing the alignment guide <NUM>, the surgeon may grasp the riser <NUM> and pull the alignment guide <NUM> off the insertion tool <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, if available, the surgeon may pull on one or more of the rounded ledges <NUM>, <NUM> to assist in removal of the alignment guide <NUM>. Thus, the alignment guide <NUM> may be removed by the surgeon using one hand.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the invention are desired to be protected.

Claim 1:
An inclination guide [<NUM>] for use with an implant insertion tool [<NUM>] during a surgical procedure, the inclination guide [<NUM>] comprising a body, the body comprising:
a clip [<NUM>] configured to be coupled to a mounting surface of the implant insertion tool [<NUM>], wherein the clip [<NUM>] defines an interior volume [<NUM>] and an imaginary tool axis [<NUM>] that extends through the interior volume [<NUM>];
an elongated riser [<NUM>] extending from the clip [<NUM>] away from the imaginary tool axis [<NUM>] to a first joint [<NUM>]; and characterized in that:
the body is a unitary body;
the unitary body further comprises:
an elongated indicator [<NUM>] extending from the first joint of the elongated riser [<NUM>] to a distal end [<NUM>], wherein the elongated indicator [<NUM>] and the imaginary tool axis [<NUM>] define an indication angle [<NUM>], wherein the indication angle [<NUM>] is predetermined and fixed.