WO2023194375A1

WO2023194375A1 - System for fitting together joint implant components

Info

Publication number: WO2023194375A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/058839
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sandra HUNGER; Christian Rotsch; Klaus NOTARBARTOLO; Alexander Seidler; Karoline Kemter-Esser
Original assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
Priority date: 2022-04-04
Filing date: 2023-04-04
Publication date: 2023-10-12
Also published as: DE102022107977A1

Abstract

The present invention comprises a system for fitting together joint implant components, in particular for fitting together the components of a hip joint implant, preferably in a conical press fit. The system comprises a joint socket (4), an insert (3) which can be fitted into the joint socket (4) and has a concave receptacle (5) and an edge (6) surrounding the receptacle (5), and an adapter (1) for fitting the insert (3) into the joint socket (4), wherein the adapter (1) has a contour which matches the insert (3) and is configured to concentrically align the insert (3) and to temporarily fix the insert in the aligned state and to apply a concentrically acting fitting force to the insert in order to fit it into the joint socket (4).

Description

System for joining joint implant components

Technical area

The present invention relates to a system for joining joint implant components, in particular for joining the components of a hip implant. The system is used for the concentric and axially aligned positioning of a joint insert in a joint socket and the reproducible application of force when joining the joint implant components.

Modern hip implants consist of a joint insert and a hip socket and are modular in design to enable revision of both joint implant components. The replaceable joint insert is connected to the hip socket anchored in the bone tissue via a conical press fit. The intraoperative joining of the individual components (joint insert and hip socket) is usually not controlled, which means that the joining force and alignment depends on the surgeon.

Incorrectly positioned joint inserts can have a high risk of fracture, as a slight tilting during insertion leads to point loads on the components, which leads to material failure more quickly in the event of large impulse-like forces. Even in the event of a revision, incorrect positioning of the joint insert can lead to problems. The joint insert should be loosened intraoperatively by hitting the edge of the joint insert, but there is a risk of chipping off the edge and breaking the joint insert or plastic deformation of the joint socket. In the event of an incorrectly inserted joint insert, the forces required for an extraction will vary. In addition, microstructural damage caused by incorrect loading increases the likelihood of material failure during revision.

If the affected joint implant components have to be replaced as part of a revision operation, this represents a significant risk, especially in older patients, as serious complications can occur during this procedure. When removing Large areas of the bony structure can be destroyed, making it significantly more difficult to reinsert joint implant components.

Due to high life expectancies and the increase in revision operations, a longer lifespan of the joint implant components and a reproducible joining process must be made possible, and risks of additional damage to intact bone material during (revision) operations must be avoided.

Description of the prior art

Systems for joining joint implant components are known in the art. In well-known insertion solutions, the joint insert is inserted into the joint socket using a positioning aid, although in actual use the insert is mainly picked up and inserted by hand. The joint insert is accommodated by the positioning aid. The positioning aid is inserted with the joint insert held into the implanted joint socket and the joint insert is inserted into the joint socket. The joint insert is then still in a loose state in the joint socket. It is then driven in with a standard instrument to press in the joint insert.

A device and a method for placing an insert in a hip joint socket according to the above-mentioned principle are known, for example, from EP 3 288 502 B1. The device includes a first portion configured to engage the insert and an edge of the acetabular cup to align the insert and the socket along an axis of the device prior to insertion. The device also includes a second section for pressing the liner into the acetabulum. The second section is coupled to the first section to move the second section along the axis with respect to the first section. After the insert is inserted into the hip joint socket, it is driven in using another instrument.

The above system consists of at least three instruments for picking, inserting and

Drive in the joint insert. There will be a two-part adapter for alignment and manual impressions of the insert are required. The hammering in takes place separately after alignment when the alignment instrument is removed. This requires a tool change. In addition, the accuracy of impaction using an impaction instrument is hardly reproducible.

The present invention is based on the object of solving the problems known from the prior art and of providing a compact system for joining joint implant components with concentric and axially aligned positioning.

To solve the problem defined above, the present invention provides the system for joining joint implant components according to claim 1. The system according to the invention for joining joint implant components, in particular for joining the components of a hip joint implant, preferably in a conical press fit, comprises a joint socket, an insert which can be inserted into the joint socket and has a concave receptacle and an edge surrounding the receptacle, an adapter for joining the insert into the joint socket, wherein the adapter has a contour tailored to the insert and is configured to align the insert concentrically and to temporarily fix it in the aligned state and to apply a concentrically acting joining force for joining into the joint socket. In the context of the present invention, the term “concentric” is to be understood as “symmetrical about a common center”.

This results in the advantage that a simple temporary holding of the insert, a concentric and possibly axially aligned insertion and a precise joining of the insert are made possible by means of a single, preferably one-piece adapter. Furthermore, the present solution offers material-friendly installation by evenly applying the joining force to the insert. In addition, the present solution avoids assembly of the adapter and a tool change due to the integral design and thus makes handling easier and reduces the time required during the insertion process. Fewer work steps are required. This leads to less susceptibility to errors when using the system.

The concentric joining of the joint insert into the joint socket reduces the risk of breakage of the components and the risk of edge chips during insertion and later use of the implant. The concentric alignment can provide a high-performance joining connection compared to tilted insertion. The increase in quality of the joining connection leads to a longer service life of the implants and makes it easier to remove the insert during revision procedures (the risk of jamming is reduced).

Advantageous further training is the subject of the dependent claims.

It may make sense if the adapter comprises a convex engagement section which is configured to align the insert concentrically when inserted into its receptacle, the engagement section preferably having a complementary shape to the receptacle of the insert at least in sections or completely and preferably as a half or Partial sphere or is designed as a hemisphere or partial spherical truncation. The convex engagement section ensures the concentricity of the adapter and insert when receiving. In the form of a hemisphere or partial sphere, a force transmission of the joining force can be transmitted as evenly as possible, ideally homogeneously, to the concave receptacle of the insert. In the context of the invention, an insert with a hemispherical or partial spherical shape is referred to as an insert that is spherical at the insertion end. In the form of a hemisphere or partial spherical truncated ball, a transfer of the joining force to the fragile edge at the transition between the receptacle and the edge can be prevented, so that the insert can be used in a way that is gentle on the material. In the context of the invention, an insert with a hemispherical or partial truncated spherical shape is an insert that has a spherical segment shape, but is not spherical or flattened at the insertion end.

It can prove to be advantageous if the engagement section has at least one elastic contact element for temporary and non-positive fixation of the insert, whereby When inserting the engagement section into the receptacle of the insert, the elastic contact element is preferably increasingly deformed with increasing insertion depth in order to increase the frictional force between the engagement section and the receptacle of the insert until the insert is temporarily fixed in a non-positive manner via the elastic contact element, the elastic contact element is preferably designed as an O-ring and is arranged in a circumferential groove of the engagement section. The insert is held in a frictional manner by the contact element adapted to the insert and its elastic deformation. With the contact element, the insert can be accommodated by the adapter without the need for additional aids or further manual intervention. The adapter according to the invention with such a contact element makes “one-handed” work easier and saves space because the hand does not have to be guided to the joint socket in addition to use. Compared to significantly more complex fixing devices such as suction devices, the temporary and non-positive fixing of the insert with the elastic contact element is much easier and more cost-effective.

It can prove to be useful if the adapter comprises at least one support section which, when the insert is concentrically aligned, projects radially beyond the receptacle and possibly the edge of the insert in order to limit the insertion depth of the adapter into the receptacle of the insert and/or in order to align the adapter axially with respect to the insert, the support section preferably being configured to be supported on the edge of the insert and/or the joint socket when aligning and possibly joining the insert into the joint socket, the engagement section preferably being annular and/or designed as a radial flange and is particularly preferably elastic. In the case of supporting the support section on the edge of the insert, the adapter can align axially with the insert. If the support section of the adapter rests flat on the edge of the receptacle, the joining force can be transferred exclusively and evenly to the robust edge of the receptacle instead of loading the transition between the receptacle and the edge. This means that stress peaks can be avoided both at the insert and at the joint socket. If the support section is shaped in such a way that it is elastically deformable, it has a flexibility, so that the support section deforms in the outer region and the effect of force on the joint socket can be reduced or, ideally, completely eliminated. In addition, deformation of the support section can facilitate the release of the insert from the adapter. Finally, by designing the flexibility of the support section, a maximum force can be defined that can be transmitted to the insert or the joint socket before the support section is deformed. Excessive force transmission when driving in the insert can be avoided and a reproducible application of force when joining the joint implant components can be made possible.

It can prove to be practical if the support section has at least one projection projecting in the joining direction, which is shaped in such a way that the insert fits over the edge when joining into the joint socket. The protruding projection supports the concentricity of the support portion on the edge of the receptacle and the axial alignment of the insert in the socket. On the other hand, the projecting projection can serve as a counter bearing to the contact element in order to ensure that the insert is held by the adapter.

It can make sense if the joint socket has a concave receptacle and an edge surrounding the concave receptacle (see FIGS. 2 and 3), with the adapter being supported on the edge of the joint socket when the insert reaches the intended alignment position in the joint socket, whereby the insert can preferably be transferred from the intended alignment position into a intended joining position with elastic deformation of the adapter. In the case of supporting the support section on the edge of the joint socket, it can be ensured that the adapter aligns axially with the joint socket.

It can be helpful if the adapter has at least one guide section, which is preferably shaped as a projection, rib, wedge or wave profile, to support the adapter Inserting the insert into the joint socket opposite the joint socket, the adapter preferably having one, two or more pairs of guide sections, each of which is arranged in pairs on preferably diametrically opposite sides of the adapter (see Fig. 3). It can also be helpful if the adapter has at least two guide sections that are arranged symmetrically about the axis of the adapter. This results in a homogeneous guidance of the adapter, so that concentricity is ensured and the support section evenly transmits force to the edge of the insert holder.

In addition, it can prove to be useful if the joint socket has at least one guide groove in order to guide the at least one guide section. Due to the close-contour connection of the guide section and the guide groove, the adapter can insert the held insert into a designated position in the joint socket. Twisting in relation to the axis of the joint socket is avoided.

It can prove to be useful if the adapter is shaped in such a way that when the insert is subjected to the joining force, it is supported either on the edge of the insert or on the bottom in the receptacle of the insert. This means that targeted application of force to a specific area can be ensured and voltage peaks can be avoided during use.

It can make sense if the adapter has a coupling section for coupling a shaft-shaped tool handle, the coupling section preferably being arranged centrally in the adapter and preferably being designed as an approximately cylindrical tool holder. The adapter can therefore be easily coupled to a tool and the impact force acting along the axis can be transmitted via the coupling section.

It may also be useful if the coupling section is connected to a standard impactor, an impactor with integrated energy storage, or can be coupled to an impactor with an integrated feed unit. The adapter can therefore be used on a variety of existing tools and the joining system can be tailored to the properties of the joint implant components.

It may make sense if the system further comprises the standard impactor that can be coupled to the coupling section and/or an impactor with an integrated energy storage device and/or the impactor with an integrated feed unit that can be coupled to the coupling section. This means that the entire system, including the impaction instrument, can be designed and tailored to the requirements of the implant components.

Further advantageous developments result from combinations of the features that are disclosed in the description, the figures and the claims.

Short description of the characters

Show it:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a system according to the invention for joining implant components consisting of a shaft-shaped tool handle, an adapter, a joint insert and a joint socket, with the individual components extending along a common axis.

2A shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of the adapter in the engaged state with a joint insert inserted into a joint socket, with a hemispherical engagement section of the adapter temporarily and non-positively concentrically fixing the insert and with a support section of the adapter protruding radially beyond the engagement section lying flat on the edge of the insert and rests on the edge of the joint socket.

2B is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the adapter in the engaged state with a joint insert inserted into a joint socket, the support portion of the adapter being elastically deformed in comparison to FIG. 2A. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the adapter in an engaged state in a joint insert, wherein a hemispherical engagement portion of the adapter temporarily and non-positively concentrically fixes the insert and wherein a support portion of the adapter projecting radially beyond the engagement portion engages over the edge with a projection projecting in the joining direction .

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the adapter in an engaged state in a joint insert, wherein a hemispherical truncated engagement portion of the adapter temporarily and non-positively concentrically fixes the insert and wherein a support portion of the adapter protruding radially beyond the engagement portion rests flat on the edge of the insert and the Edge overlaps with a projection protruding in the joining direction.

5A is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the adapter in an engaged state in a joint insert, with an engaging portion of the adapter lying flat on the edge of the insert having two pairs of diametrically opposed and radially projecting guide portions.

5B shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the adapter in the engaged state with a joint insert according to FIG. so that the adapter with insert can be rotated relative to the joint socket, whereby the guide sections can first come into engagement with the appropriate guides or guide receptacles in the lower region, so that rotation and axial tilting are no longer possible.

Fig. 50 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the adapter before a recording process for picking up the insert from a receiving pot, the guide sections of the adapter with guides or guide receptacles in the edge of the The mounting pots are in engagement so that the adapter and the insert fixed with it can be picked up straight (axially) during recording.

5D shows a sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the adapter in the engaged state with a joint insert in the storage state of the insert in a receiving pot.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

1 shows the system according to the invention for joining joint implant components consisting of an adapter 1, a joint insert 3 and a joint socket 4, the individual components extending along a common axis A. The adapter 1 can be detachably attached to a shaft-shaped tool handle 2, which also extends in the longitudinal direction along the axis A. The individual components of the system for joining joint implant components are described in more detail below.

2A shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of the adapter 1 in the engaged state with a joint insert 3 inserted into a joint socket 4.

The adapter 1 has a base body 1A which is essentially rotationally symmetrical about the axis A. The upper part of the base body is shaped as a truncated cone. The adapter 1 includes a convex engagement section 7 on the lower part of the base body 1A, which extends along an axis A. In the first embodiment, the convex engagement portion 7 is hemispherical. The adapter 1 has a support section 8 which extends radially outwards beyond the engagement section 7 with respect to axis A. On the underside of the support section 8 there is a support surface 8A, which forms a shoulder with the convex engagement section 7.

The adapter 1 further has a contact element 11, preferably an O-ring 11, which is arranged in a circumferential groove 12 in the engagement section 7 of the adapter and is fixed in a form-fitting manner. The circumferential groove 12 runs concentrically to the base body 1A in an upper region of the engagement section 7. Here, the upper region of the engagement section 7 represents an area which is in the vicinity of the shoulder between the support surface 8A and the convex engagement section 7 lies. The circumferential groove 12 is triangular in shape, but can also have other shapes, such as a rectangular shape or a semicircle. The contact element 11 has a cross section that is larger than the depth of the circumferential groove 12, so that the contact element 11 protrudes beyond the convex surface 7A of the engagement section 7 in order to come into contact with the inner contour of the joint insert 3 in the engaged state and to close it in a frictional manner hold. In the engaged state, the elastic contact element 11 causes a frictional force between the contact element and the inner contour of the receptacle 5 in the joint insert 3. The engagement section 7 of the adapter 1 can thus be fixed in the joint insert 3 in a force-fitting manner in the engaged state.

2A also shows the joint insert 3 and a joint socket 4. The joint insert 3 is made of a material with biocompatibility, mechanical resilience and corrosion resistance, such as titanium or ceramic. The joint insert 3 has a concave receptacle 5 and an edge 6 surrounding the receptacle 5. An edge between the edge 6 and the inner contour of the receptacle 5 can be chamfered or rounded. The joint socket 4 is also made of a material with biocompatibility, mechanical resilience and corrosion resistance, such as titanium. The joint socket 4 has a concave receptacle 9 and an edge 10 surrounding the concave receptacle 9.

In Fig. 2A, the adapter 1 and the joint insert 3 are in an engaged state, while the joint insert 3 and the joint socket 4 are only in an inserted state with respect to one another. The shapes of the joint insert 3 and the joint socket 4 are coordinated with one another in such a way that the joint insert 3 can be pressed into the joint socket 4. The joint insert 3 and the joint socket 4 go from an insertion state to a press-in state.

The shapes of the adapter 1, the joint insert 3 and the joint socket 4 are coordinated with one another in such a way that the support section 8 is at the edge 10 of the joint socket 4 when the maximum insertion depth of the joint insert 3 is reached into the joint socket 4 supported. The support section 8 is supported both on the edge 6 of the joint insert 3 and on the edge 10 of the joint socket 4 and brings the edges of the two joint implant components into a flat plane and aligns them axially with one another. When the maximum insertion depth of the joint insert 3 into the joint socket 4 is reached, a cavity remains between the concave receptacle 9 and the convex outer contour of the joint insert 3.

Fig. 2B shows a sectional view of the first embodiment of the adapter 1 in the press-in state with the joint insert 3 pressed into a joint socket 4. The insertion state shown in Fig. 2A is converted into a press-in state by a press-in force acting along the axis A of the engagement section 7, in in which the joint insert 3 is pressed into the joint socket 4. The outer contour of the joint insert 3 and the inner contour of the joint socket 4 form a conical press fit when pressed into one another.

The support section 8 is shaped such that it is elastically deformable. The thickness of the support section 8 in the direction of the axis A is selected so that the support section 8 deforms elastically and bends upwards as shown in FIG. 2B when a sufficiently large press-in force is transmitted to the joint insert 3 via the adapter 1. By applying the press-in force, the joint insert 3 reaches a final press-in depth into the joint socket 4.

The support section 8 has flexibility, so that the support section 8 deforms in the outer region and a force on the joint socket 4 is reduced and is increasingly transmitted to the joint insert 3. In addition, the deformation of the support section 8 facilitates the release of the joint insert 3 from the adapter 1 in that the area of the elastic contact element 11 adjacent to the support section 8 is also deformed and the frictional connection between the contact element 11 and the inner contour of the receptacle 5 of the joint insert 3 is reduced. Finally, the design of the flexibility of the support section 8 can be used to define a maximum force that is transmitted to the joint insert 3 or the joint socket 4 before the support section 8 is deformed. The adapter 1 of the first embodiment has a coupling section 16 for the shaft-shaped tool handle 2 on an upper surface. The coupling section 16 is a cylindrical recess arranged centrally on the surface of the base body 1A, which can accommodate a pin-shaped extension of the shaft-shaped tool handle 2 in order to removably couple the shaft-shaped tool handle 2 and the adapter 1 to one another. A coupling of the base body 1A and the shaft-shaped tool handle 2 by means of threads on the coupling section is also possible.

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of the adapter 1 in an engagement process in the joint insert 3. The adapter 1, as in the first embodiment, comprises a hemispherical engagement section 7 with an elastic contact element in the form of a circumferential O-ring 11 around which Insert 3 to be temporarily and non-positively fixed concentrically. Deviating from the first embodiment, the support section 11 which projects radially beyond the engagement section 7 has a projection 15 which protrudes in the joining direction and which engages over the edge of the insert 3. The engagement process shown includes the insertion of the adapter 1 into the joint insert 3 and the reception of the joint insert 3 by the adapter 1. The axial reception of the joint insert 3 by the adapter 1 will be explained in more detail later in FIGS. 5C and 5D.

Fig. 3 shows the adapter 1 of the second embodiment and the joint insert 3 in the engaged state. The adapter 1 is concentrically inserted into the joint insert 3 and brought into an engaged state with it. The adapter 1 is configured to transition into an engaged state with the receptacle 5 of the joint insert 3 through the engagement section 7. In the engaged state, the support section 8 does not rest on the edge 6 of the receptacle 5 of the convex engagement section 7, but approaches it except for a gap 8B. The application of the adapter 1 to a joining force acting along the axis A of the engagement section 7 thus leads to a force introduction via the engagement section 7 to the bottom of the receptacle 5 of the joint insert 3, as indicated by the arrows. The engagement portion 7 is configured to be concentric with the Joint insert 3 aligned engagement state can be reversibly fixed in the receptacle 5 of the insert 3. A deviation from the axial alignment of the joint insert 3 to the adapter 1 due to the introduction of force is avoided by the design of the interacting components.

Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of a third embodiment of the adapter 1 in an engaged state with a joint insert 3. In contrast to the second embodiment, the convex engagement section 7 of the adapter 1 is shaped as a truncated hemisphere. When the adapter 1 is brought together with the joint insert 3, the support section 8 rests on the edge 6 of the receptacle 5, while the convex engagement section 7 is only in contact with a partial area of the inner contour of the joint insert 3. The support surface 8A rests on the edge 6 of the receptacle 5. This achieves an axial alignment of the adapter 1 relative to the joint insert 3. The application of a joining force acting along the axis A of the engagement section 7 to the adapter 1 thus leads to a force introduction via the support section 8 onto the edge 6 of the receptacle 5 of the joint insert 3, as indicated by the arrows. The joint insert 3 is less stressed by a flat application of force than with a point or line-shaped load application.

The convex surface 7A of the engagement section 7 is reduced in size compared to the first embodiment, but is sufficiently large to provide both an area for the circumferential groove 12 and to ensure sufficient concentricity between the adapter 1 and the joint insert 3.

The adapter 1 of the second and third embodiments has a projection 15 projecting in the joining direction on the outer edge of the support section 8, which is shaped such that the projecting projection 15 encloses an edge of the edge 6 of the receptacle 5 of the insert 3. The projecting projection 15 is arranged on the support section 8 in such a way that the support surface 8A forms an annular surface which is laterally closed by the projection 15 projecting in the joining direction and the convex surface 7A. The Said ring surface has a greater width than the edge 6 of the receptacle 5, so that the adapter 1 can easily be placed on the joint insert 3. The protruding projection 15 preferably fits into the grooves of the joint socket 4 and is guided in these, so that a non-axial alignment of the joint insert 3 and the joint socket 4 is excluded during the joining process, with the protruding projection 15 and the joint insert 3 ideally not touching each other. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the protruding projection 15 can also serve to receive the insert 3 straight (see FIGS. 50 and 5D).

Features of the adapter 1 in which the second and third embodiments are the same as the first embodiment will not be explained again.

5A shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the adapter 1 in the engaged state with a joint insert 3. The adapter 1 is connected to the shaft-shaped tool handle 2. The adapter 1 has guide sections 13 on the outer edge of the support section 8, which protrude radially from the support section 8. The guide sections 13 are shaped as a rib. The adapter 1 has four guide sections 13, each of which is arranged in pairs on diametrically opposite sides symmetrically about the axis A of the adapter 1.

Fig. 5B shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the adapter 1 in combination with a joint insert 3 in preparation for an insertion process for inserting the joint insert 3 into a joint socket 4. The joint socket 4 has a total of ten guide grooves 14, which extend from the edge into the edge Inner surface of the receptacle 9 of the joint socket 4 is formed and evenly distributed around the circumference of the joint socket 4. The guide grooves 14 are designed to be complementary to the guide sections 13 in such a way that they can accommodate the guide sections 13 and/or the projecting projection 15 of the adapter 1. Due to the positive connection of the guide sections 13 and the guide grooves 14, the adapter 1 can insert the held joint insert 3 into a designated position in the joint socket 4. This means that the adapter 1 is pressed in when the Joint insert 3 is guided relative to the joint socket 4 and rotation relative to the axis A is avoided. This causes the concentricity and axial alignment of the joint insert 3 in the joint socket 4 to be maintained during the insertion and pressing process.

50 shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the adapter 1 before a recording process for picking up the joint insert 3 from a receiving pot 17. A joint insert 3 intended for implantation is stored in a receiving pot 17 until it is picked up by the adapter 1 for implantation. In order to ensure axial alignment when the joint insert 3 is received by the adapter 1, the receiving pot 17 has guide grooves 14 in which the guide sections 13 of the adapter 1 are guided.

5D shows a sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the adapter 1 in the engaged state with a joint insert 3, the joint insert 3 being shown mounted in the receiving pot 17. The adapter 1 is concentrically inserted into the joint insert 3 and brought into an engaged state with it. The guide grooves 14 guide the guide sections 13 in order to ensure that the joint insert 3 is received in an axially aligned manner.

A method described herein for joining joint implant components, in particular for joining the components of a hip joint implant, preferably in a conical press fit, comprises the steps:

Step A: Prepare a socket 4.

Step B: Providing an insert 3 that can be inserted into the joint socket 4 and has a concave receptacle 5 and an edge 6 surrounding the receptacle 5.

Step C: Providing an adapter 1 for joining the insert 3 into the joint socket 4, the adapter 1 having a contour that is matched to the insert 3 and configured to do so is to align the insert 3 concentrically and to temporarily fix it in the aligned state and to apply a concentrically acting joining force for joining into the joint socket 4.

Step D: Arranging the adapter 1 in the receptacle 5 of the insert 3 so that the insert 3 is aligned concentrically to the adapter 1 insert 3 using the contour of the adapter 1 that is matched to the insert 3.

Step E: Temporarily fixing the insert 3 in a concentrically aligned state. This is preferably done by deforming the elastic contact element 11, so that the insert 3 is connected to the adapter 1 in a non-positive or frictional manner.

Step F: Applying a concentrically acting joining force to the adapter 1 and the insert 3 fixed with it in order to join the insert 3 into the joint socket 4. For this purpose, the adapter 1 and the joint socket 4 are aligned concentrically to one another. This can be done by first inserting the insert 3 into the receptacle of the joint socket 4 without any effort until the adapter 1 is supported on the edge of the joint socket 4. Starting from this state, in which the adapter 1, the insert 3 and the joint socket 4 are aligned concentrically to one another, the adapter 1 is then subjected to the concentrically acting joining force.

Step G: Loosen the adapter 1 from the insert 3 inserted into the joint socket 4.

The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described. Further modifications and variations of the exemplary embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the patent claims.

An embodiment is therefore conceivable in which the guide section 13 and the projecting projection 15 are combined and formed in one component. This component is preferably arranged on the support section 8 and also has its elasticity. 5D shows such a configuration, which is also guided in the guide groove 14 of the receiving pot 17. A combination of these components can further simplify the structure of the adapter 1 and facilitate production.

In addition, an embodiment is conceivable in which a plurality of guide sections 13 are arranged symmetrically about the axis A. The force introduced can therefore also be transmitted evenly to the joint socket 4 via the guide sections 13.

In addition, an embodiment is conceivable in which the guide sections 13 are shaped in a wedge or wave profile, with the guide grooves 14 of the joint socket 4 or the receiving pot 17 being arranged in a counter profile to accommodate the guide sections 13 therein.

The shaft-shaped tool handle 2 in FIG. 1 is designed as a handle for manual use, for example by a treating surgeon. The tool handle can also be exchanged or combined with partially/automated surgical tools for impaction, preferably a standard impaction instrument, an impaction instrument with an integrated energy storage device or an impactor with an integrated feed unit.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be so limited, but are to be construed to embody all modifications and alternative constructions that may reasonably occur to one skilled in the art. which fall within the scope of protection of the patent claims. Additionally, the features of various implementation embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention. Reference symbol list

1 adapter

1A basic body

2 shaft-shaped tool handle

3 insert, joint insert

4 joint socket

5 Recording the mission

6 Recording surrounding edge

7 convex engagement portion of the adapter

7A convex surface

8 support section of the adapter

8A support surface

8B gap

9 Concave socket for the joint socket

10 shot surrounding edge

11 elastic contact element, O-ring

12 circulating groove

13 guide section, rib, wedge, wave profile

14 guide groove

15 projection protruding in the joining direction

16 coupling section

17 receiving pot

A axis

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS System for joining joint implant components, in particular for joining the components of a hip joint implant, preferably in a conical press fit, comprising: a. a joint socket (4), b. an insert (3) which can be inserted into the joint socket (4) and has a concave receptacle (5) and an edge (6) surrounding the receptacle (5), c. an adapter (1) for joining the insert (3) into the joint socket (4), the adapter (1) having a contour matched to the insert (3) and being configured to align the insert (3) concentrically and in the aligned position Temporarily fix the state and apply a concentrically acting joining force for joining into the joint socket (4). System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the adapter (1) comprises a convex engagement portion (7) configured to concentrically align the insert (3) upon insertion into its receptacle (5), the engagement portion (7) preferably at least partially or completely has a complementary shape to the receptacle (5) of the insert (3) and is preferably designed as a hemisphere or partial sphere or as a hemisphere or partial truncated sphere. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the engagement section (7) has at least one elastic contact element (11) for temporary and non-positive fixation of the insert (3), wherein the elastic contact element (11) when inserting the engagement section (7) into the The receptacle (5) of the insert (3) is preferably increasingly deformed as the insertion depth increases in order to increase the frictional force between the engagement section (7) and the receptacle (5) of the insert (3) until the insert (3) passes over the elastic contact element (11) is temporarily fixed in a non-positive manner, wherein the elastic contact element (11) is preferably designed as an O-ring (11) and is arranged in a circumferential groove (12) of the engagement section (7). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (1) comprises at least one support section (8) which, in the concentrically aligned state of the insert (3), extends radially over the receptacle (5) and possibly the edge (6) of the insert (3) protrudes to limit the insertion depth of the adapter (1) into the receptacle (5) of the insert (3) and/or around the adapter (1) axially to be aligned with respect to the insert (3), the support section (8) preferably being configured to be at the edge of the insert (3) and/or the joint socket (4) when aligning and possibly joining the insert (3) into the joint socket (4). ) to support, wherein the support section (8) is preferably annular and / or designed as a radial flange and is particularly preferably elastic. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support section (8) has at least one projection (15) which projects in the joining direction and is shaped in such a way as to engage over the edge of the insert (3) when joining into the joint socket (4). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint socket (4) has a concave receptacle (9) and an edge (10) surrounding the concave receptacle (9), the adapter (1) being moved when the adapter (1) reaches the intended alignment position Insert (3) in the joint socket (4) is supported on the edge (10) of the joint socket (4), the insert (3) preferably being able to be transferred from the intended alignment position into a intended joining position with elastic deformation of the adapter (1). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (1) has at least one guide section (13), which is preferably shaped as a projection, rib, wedge or wave profile, around the adapter (1) when joining the insert (3). into the joint socket (4) opposite the joint socket (4), the adapter (1) preferably having one, two or more pairs of guide sections (13), which are preferably arranged in pairs on diametrically opposite sides of the adapter (1). . System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the adapter (1) has at least two guide sections (13) which are arranged symmetrically about the axis (A) of the adapter (1). System according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the joint socket (4) has at least one guide groove (14) in order to guide the at least one guide section (13) into the joint socket (4) when the insert (3) is joined . System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (1) is shaped in such a way that when the insert (3) is subjected to the joining force, it is either on the edge (6) of the insert (3) or on the bottom side in the receptacle ( 5) of the insert (3) is supported. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (1) has a coupling section (16) for coupling to a shaft-shaped tool handle (2), the coupling section (16) preferably being arranged centrally in the adapter (1) and preferably approximately cylindrical tool holder is formed. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the coupling section (16) can be coupled to a standard impactor, an impactor with an integrated energy storage or an impactor with an integrated feed unit. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the system further comprises the standard impactor that can be coupled to the coupling section (16) and/or an impactor with an integrated energy storage device and/or the impactor with an integrated feed unit that can be coupled to the coupling section (16).