Method and apparatus for extraction of medical implants

1. A method for removing a medical implant embedded in a bone at a bond interface, wherein the bond interface is metal-to-bone, metal-to-cement-to bone, metal-to-oxidation layer-to-bone, or metal-to-coating-to-bone, the method comprising:

mechanically connecting a coupler of an extractor that includes a forcing mechanism connected to the coupler and to an electronic controller to an exposed portion of the medical implant;

using the extractor to apply a series of cyclic excitation forces to the exposed portion of the medical implant, wherein each cyclic excitation force is described by a parameter set including a specified amplitude, frequency, vector, and duration, wherein the parameter set of each cyclic excitation force is unique, such that the medical implant vibrates and transfers surface energy to the bond interface, causing failure of the bond interface at a plurality of different locations, wherein a frequency of each of the cyclic excitation forces is near or at a natural frequency of the medical implant, such that a ratio of deflection of the medical implant at the bond interface to a deflection of the medical implant at the exposed portion is greater than unity.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the frequency of each of the cyclic excitation forces is below the ultrasonic range.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising pulling the medical implant away from the bone after failure of the bond interface, using only moderate force.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cyclic excitation forces are applied such that failure of the bond interface is caused at different locations sequentially.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the cyclic excitation forces are applied such that failure of the bond interface is caused at different locations concurrently.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying a cyclic excitation force at two or more different frequencies in sequence.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying a cyclic excitation force including at least two different frequencies concurrently.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

using a vibration sensor coupled to the coupler to provide a vibration feedback signal representative of vibration of the coupler; and

using the electronic controller, controlling at least one aspect of the cyclic excitation force in response to the vibration feedback signal.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of controlling the cyclic excitation force includes:

measuring a displacement at the coupler while applying the cyclic excitation force; and

in response to detection of a step increase in the measured displacement, generating an indicator signal.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising, in response to the indicator signal, using the electronic controller to change at least one of the frequency, amplitude, and vector of the cyclic excitation force.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising, in response to the indicator signal, using the electronic controller to stop the cyclic excitation force.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the parameter sets is predetermined before beginning the extraction method.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

prior to applying the series of cyclic excitation forces, applying a small-scale excitation force insufficient to cause failure of the bond interface to the medical implant;

using a vibration sensor coupled to the coupler to provide a vibration feedback signal representative of vibration of the coupler; and

determining at least one aspect of the series of cyclic excitation forces in response to the vibration feedback signal.