Patent ID: 8337426

Claim:
A surgical instrument for implanting a primary prosthetic member in an anatomical feature based on information gained using a trial prosthetic member, the trial prosthetic member substantially corresponding in size and structure to the primary prosthetic member, the surgical instrument comprising: an orientation sensor that detects a trial orientation of the trial prosthetic member, the orientation sensor also operable to detect an actual orientation of the primary prosthetic member; a memory module; an input device that receives a user input to transfer the trial orientation of the trial prosthetic member detected by the orientation sensor into the memory module for storage when the trial orientation corresponds to a target orientation necessary for moving and implanting the primary prosthetic member into engagement with the anatomical feature; an orientation feedback device that selectively provides an orientation feedback signal to a user; and a controller that causes the orientation feedback device to provide the orientation feedback signal when the actual orientation of the primary prosthetic member detected by the orientation sensor is substantially equal to the trial orientation stored in the memory module.