Patent ID: 8888786

Claim:
A surgical instrument for assisting a surgeon in obtaining correct orientation of an acetabular prosthetic socket in a patient's acetabulum, the instrument comprising: a support device adapted for supporting an acetabular alignment guide; and an electronic orientation device having a coupler for releasably coupling the electronic orientation device to the support device, wherein the electronic orientation device comprises at least one inertial sensor; the acetabular alignment guide comprising a base portion and an elongate member configured to pivot and translate relative to the base portion between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the elongate member has a length sufficient to enable a tip thereof to contact anatomy disposed about the acetabulum at a plurality of discrete, spaced apart locations to align the electronic orientation device with a plane of the acetabulum; wherein the electronic orientation device is adapted to establish the plane of the acetabulum based upon the position of the at least one inertial sensor when the tip contacts the plurality of spaced apart locations.