GROMMET FOR USE WITH SURGICAL IMPLANT
A grommet ( 414 ) for use with a surgical implant ( 212 ) comprises a base ( 450 ) and a sleeve ( 452 ). The base ( 450 ) can be positioned around a portion of the surgical implant ( 212 ). Additionally, the sleeve ( 452 ) is connected to the base ( 450 ) and extends away from the base ( 450 ). The sleeve ( 452 ) includes an inner surface ( 446 ) having a non-circular shape to inhibit relative rotation between the grommet ( 414 ) and the surgical implant ( 212 ), and an outer surface ( 438 ) that is substantially cylinder-shaped. The outer surface ( 438 ) of the sleeve ( 452 ) can taper as the sleeve ( 452 ) extends away from the base ( 450 ). Additionally, the sleeve ( 452 ) can include one or more anti-rotation features ( 440 ) that are positioned along the outer surface ( 438 ) of the sleeve ( 452 ) to inhibit rotation between the grommet ( 414 ) and the bone ( 20 ) into which the surgical implant ( 212 ) is implanted.
1 . A grommet for use with a surgical implant, the grommet comprising:
a base that can be positioned around a portion of the surgical implant;
a sleeve that is connected to the base and extends away from the base, the sleeve including an inner surface having a non-circular shape, and an outer surface that is substantially cylinder-shaped.
2 . The grommet of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the sleeve tapers as the sleeve extends away from the base.
3 . The grommet of claim 2 wherein the outer surface of the sleeve has a taper angle of between approximately 20.0 and 25.0 degrees.
4 . The grommet of claim 1 wherein the sleeve includes one or more anti-rotation features that are positioned along the outer surface of the sleeve.
5 . The grommet of claim 4 wherein the anti-rotation features include one or more anti-rotation ribs that extend away from the outer surface of the sleeve.
6 . The grommet of claim 4 wherein the anti-rotation features include one or more anti-rotation grooves that are formed into the outer surface of the sleeve.
7 . The grommet of claim 1 wherein the base is inhibited from rotating relative to the portion of the surgical implant.
8 . The grommet of claim 1 wherein the surgical implant includes a stem, and wherein the grommet can be positioned around a portion of the stem.
9 . The grommet of claim 8 wherein the stem has an outer surface having a first shape, and wherein the inner surface of the sleeve has a second shape, the second shape being substantially similar to the first shape.
10 . The grommet of claim 9 wherein the second shape is non-circular such that the grommet is inhibited from rotating relative to the stem.
11 . A surgical implant for implanting into bone material, the surgical implant including a stem and the grommet of claim 1 that is positioned around the stem.
12 . The surgical implant of claim 11 wherein the sleeve includes one or more anti-rotation features that are positioned along the outer surface of the sleeve, the anti-rotation features inhibiting the grommet from rotating relative to the bone material.
13 . A grommet for use with a surgical implant that can be implanted into bone material, the grommet comprising:
a base that can be positioned around a portion of the surgical implant; and
a sleeve that is connected to the base and extends away from the base, the sleeve including an outer surface that is substantially cylinder-shaped, and one or more anti-rotation features that are positioned along the outer surface of the sleeve.
14 . The grommet of claim 13 wherein the surgical implant includes a stem, and wherein the grommet can be positioned around a portion of the stem.
15 . The grommet of claim 14 wherein the stem has an outer surface having a first shape, and wherein the sleeve has an inner surface having a second shape, the second shape being substantially similar to the first shape.
16 . The grommet of claim 15 wherein the second shape is non-circular such that the grommet is inhibited from rotating relative to the stem.
17 . The grommet of claim 13 wherein the outer surface of the sleeve tapers as the sleeve extends away from the base, the outer surface of the sleeve having a taper angle of between approximately 20.0 and 25.0 degrees.
18 . A surgical implant for implanting into bone material, the surgical implant including a stem and the grommet of claim 13 that is positioned around the stem.
19 . The surgical implant of claim 18 wherein the anti-rotation features inhibit the grommet from rotating relative to the bone material.
20 . A grommet for use with a surgical implant that can be implanted into bone material, the surgical implant including a stem, the grommet comprising:
a base that can be positioned around a portion of the stem; and
a sleeve that is connected to the base and extends away from the base, the sleeve including (i) an inner surface having a non-circular shape such that the grommet is inhibited from rotating relative to the stem, (ii) an outer surface that is substantially cylinder-shaped, and (iii) one or more anti-rotation features that are positioned along the outer surface of the sleeve, wherein when the surgical implant is implanted into the bone material, the one or more anti-rotation features inhibit the grommet from rotating relative to the bone material.