Patent ID: 8057480

Claim:
A method of using an ultrasonic handpiece to augment an implant comprising: obtaining an ultrasonic handpiece comprising a housing having a first and second end, an ultrasonic converter mounted within the first end of the housing for reciprocal movement within the housing in an axial direction of the housing, a sonotrode connected to one end of the ultrasonic converter and protruding out of the first end of the housing, an adjuster wheel adjustably connected to the second end of the housing, and an elastic element, a first end of which engages the ultrasonic converter and a second end of which engages the adjuster wheel, wherein adjusting the location of the wheel in an axial direction of the housing applies a preload on the ultrasonic converter, and wherein the ultrasonic converter is movable within the housing in the axial direction of the housing when a force acts on the sonotrode in the axial direction of the housing; securing the first end of the housing to the implant, the sonotrode protruding into the implant; applying a force on the ultrasonic converter by adjusting the axial position of the adjuster wheel; inserting a polymeric rod into the implant; activating the ultrasonic converter so that the polymeric rod liquefies; deactivating the ultrasonic converter; and releasing the housing from the implant.