Patent ID: 7918895

Claim:
A system for replacing a portion of a shoulder joint comprising: a tray having an outer surface, an inner bearing facing surface and an upper rim portion, said upper rim portion defining a first slot, said outer surface engageable with a portion of the shoulder joint; a bearing having an outer bearing surface and an inner articulating surface, said outer bearing surface positioned adjacent said inner bearing facing surface; a ring selectively disposed between said tray and said bearing, said ring including an annular body having a slit formed therein, said ring movable between a locked position and an unlocked position wherein said ring retains said bearing relative to said tray in said locked position; and a removal tool having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having a ring engaging surface and a bearing engaging surface, said ring engaging surface including converging outwardly ramped surfaces that are adapted to engage said ring at said slit such that said ring expands radially from said locked position away from engagement with said bearing to said unlocked position, said bearing engaging surface configured to engage said bearing and urge said bearing away from said tray.