Surface replacement extractor device and associated method

1. An instrument for use in removal of a prosthetic implant for use performing arthroplasty, comprising:

a body;

a first member connected to said body, said first member including a gripping contact portion for gripping engagement with an inner lip of the implant at a first position;

a second member connected to said body, said second member being moveable with respect to said first member, said second member including a first gripping contact portion for gripping engagement with an inner lip of the implant at a second position, spaced from the first position, the gripping contact portions of the first and second members include a tine for gripping the inner lip of the implant; and

an urging member for urging the contact portion of said first member toward the contact portion of said second member, wherein the urging member includes a first linking member pivotally coupled to the body and the first member, a second linking member pivotally coupled to the body and the second member, a third linking member coupled to the first and second linking members, and a shaft having a longitudinal axis and coupled to the third linking member, such that as the shaft is moved along the longitudinal axis, the first and second linking members pivot relative to the body, thereby causing the first and second members to pivot relative to the body;

wherein at least one of the contact portion of said first member and contact portion of said second member is generally fork shaped having two spaced apart tines.

2. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first member and second member is indirectly connected to said body.

3. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first member and said second member includes a fulcrum about which said member pivots, the contact portion of said member being spaced from the fulcrum.

4. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the contact portion of said first member and contact portion of said second member is generally wedge shaped.

5. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first member and said second member is moveable with respect to said other member to fixedly secure the implant there-between.

6. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a hammer for striking the instrument to urge the instrument in a first direction.

7. The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first link pivotably connected to said urging member and to said first member;

a second link pivotably connected to said urging member and to said second member; and

a third member connected to said urging member and pivotably connected to said first member and to said second member, said urging member moveably connected to said body.

8. A kit for use in performing arthroplasty, said kit comprising:

a prosthetic implant; and

an instrument for use in removal of said prosthetic implant for use performing arthroplasty, the instrument including a body, a first member connected to said body, said first member including a gripping contact portion for gripping engagement with an inner lip of said implant at a first position, a second member connected to said body, said second member being moveable with respect to said first member, said second member including a gripping contact portion for gripping engagement with an inner lip of said implant at a second position, spaced from the first position, the gripping contact portions of the first and second members include a tine for gripping the inner lip of the implant, and an urging member for urging the contact portion of said first member toward the contact portion of said second member, wherein the urging member includes a first linking member pivotally coupled to the body and the first member, a second linking member pivotally coupled to the body and the second member, a third linking member coupled to the first and second linking members, and a shaft having a longitudinal axis and coupled to the third linking member, such that as the shaft is moved along the longitudinal axis, the first and second linking members pivot relative to the body, thereby causing the first and second members to pivot relative to the body; wherein at least one of the contact portion of said first member and contact portion of said second member is generally fork shaped having two spaced apart tines.

9. The kit of claim 8 , further comprising a trial.

10. The kit of claim 8 , further comprising a cutter for preparing a long bone for receiving said implant.

11. The kit of claim 8 , further comprising:

a first link pivotably connected to said urging member and to said first member;

a second link pivotably connected to said urging member and to said second member; and

a third member connected to said urging member and pivotably connected to said first member and to said second member, said urging member moveably connected to said body.

12. A method for removing a surface replacement implant from a long bone, the method comprising the steps of:

using an instrument having a body, a first member and a second member and an urging member, the first member being the body and including a contact portion for engagement with the implant at a first position, the second member being the body and being moveable with respect to the first member, the second member including a contact portion for engagement with the implant at a second position, spaced from the first position, the urging member for urging the contact portion of said first member toward the contact portion of said second member and for urging the contact portion of said first member away from the contact portion of said second member, wherein the urging member includes a first linking member pivotally coupled to the body and the first member, a second linking member pivotally coupled to the body and the second member, a third linking member coupled to the first and second linking members, and a shaft having a longitudinal axis and coupled to the third linking member, such that as the shaft is moved along the longitudinal axis, the first and second linking members pivot relative to the body, thereby causing the first and second members to pivot relative to the body; wherein at least one of the contact portion of said first member and contact portion of said second member is generally fork shaped having two spaced apart tines;

utilizing the urging member to separate the first contact portion from the second contact portion;

placing the instrument into alignment with the implant;

advancing the first contact portion toward the second contact portion with the urging member;

gripping an inner lip of the implant with the first and second contact portions; and

retracting the instrument and implant from the long bone.