embodiments of the present invention and the advantages thereof are best understood by referring to the following descriptions and drawings , wherein like numerals are used for like and corresponding parts of the drawings . referring now to fig1 , an implant 10 is illustrated . the implant 10 includes a head 12 , a sleeve 14 , and a stem 16 . the stem 16 includes a tapered portion 18 . the tapered portion 18 includes a male taper 20 that matches an internal female taper 22 on the sleeve 14 ( fig2 ). in other words , the taper angle of the internal female taper 22 of the sleeve 14 matches the taper angle of the male taper 20 of the stem 16 . the sleeve 14 also includes an external male taper 24 that matches a female taper 26 of the head 12 ( fig2 ). in other words , the taper angle of the external male taper 24 of the sleeve 14 matches the taper angle of the female taper 26 of the head 12 . in assembling the head 12 , sleeve 14 , and stem 16 , the surgeon would insert the sleeve 14 into the head 12 and lock the sleeve 14 and the head 12 via the tapers 24 , 26 . however , if the surgeon would need to remove the sleeve 14 from the head 12 , the tapers 24 , 26 are difficult , if not impossible , to disengage without the use of a tool . turning now to fig3 , an extractor tool 30 is shown . the extractor tool 30 includes a handle 32 and an extractor tip 34 . the handle 32 includes a proximal end 36 and a distal end 38 . the handle 32 includes a gripping portion 39 . the proximal end 36 includes an impaction mechanism 40 . as shown in fig6 , the impaction mechanism 40 includes a plate 41 a and a shaft 41 b . during use of the tool , the plate 41 a would be struck by the surgeon using a tool . as shown in fig4 and 5 , the shaft 41 b extends through the length of the handle 32 . when the handle 32 is connected to the extractor tip 34 , the shaft 41 b will extend into the extractor tip 34 , as shown in fig3 . the distal end 38 is connected to the extractor tip 34 . a locking mechanism 42 on the handle 32 is used to connect the extractor tip 34 to the handle 32 . as shown in the cross - section view of the tool 30 in fig4 a the locking mechanism 42 is a spring - loaded button including a button 44 , an opening 46 , a button housing 47 , and a spring 48 . as shown in fig4 a , the locking mechanism 42 engages a recess 50 in the extractor tip 34 . the locking mechanism 42 thus holds the extractor tip 34 in a predetermined location . if the user should wish to remove the extractor tip 34 , the user presses on the button 44 and releases the extractor tip . when the button 44 is not being activated , the spring 48 exerts a force upward , locking the extractor tip 34 in place . the individual pieces of the locking mechanism 42 are shown in greater detail in the exploded view of the handle 32 in fig6 . although the illustrated locking mechanism is a button utilizing a spring , other known locking mechanisms may be used . for example , the extractor tip 34 could be threaded on or could have a post / slot locking mechanism . as shown in fig3 , 4 a and 4 b , the extractor tip 34 includes a proximal end 51 a and a distal end 51 b . at the distal end 51 b , the extractor tip 34 includes a flexible portion , which in this embodiment includes a plurality of spaced apart legs 52 . each leg 52 extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the extractor tip 34 . distal to the legs 52 , each leg 52 includes a foot 54 that extends generally transverse to the longitudinal axis 55 . turning now to fig7 , the extractor tip 34 , and specifically , the legs 52 and feet 54 , will be shown in greater detail . as shown in this embodiment , there are four legs 52 and four feet 54 . because of the space between each of the legs 52 , the legs are somewhat flexible and can move when a force is applied against them . although the illustrated embodiment shows four legs and four feet , it should be understood that the number of legs and feet could be varied . turning now to fig8 , the extractor tool 30 is shown inserted into a head 12 and sleeve 14 that have been locked together . as shown , there is a small gap 56 between the top of the sleeve 14 and the inner portion of the head 12 . when the extractor tip 34 is inserted into the sleeve 14 , the feet 54 push into the gap 56 and then expand to grasp a top end of the sleeve 14 . the impaction mechanism 40 can then be struck by a hammer or other tool , creating a vibration that travels the length of the tool 30 to the feet 54 . the vibration at the feet 54 causes the tapers 24 , 26 of the head 12 and sleeve 14 to be disengaged , allowing the surgeon to remove the sleeve 14 from the head 12 . the extractor tip 34 may be made of a sterilizable metal such as stainless steel . other metals such as aluminums or radels may also be used . the gripping portion 39 of the handle 32 may be made of radel , aluminums , rubber , while the locking mechanism 42 , impaction mechanism 40 and strike plate are all made of a sterilizable metal such as stainless steel . in some embodiments the extractor tool 30 may be disposable and all of the parts , except for the shaft 41 b may be made of a disposable plastic such as polyethylene or radel . turning now to fig9 , a flow chart is illustrated that describes the use of the extractor tool 30 according to one embodiment of the invention . the surgeon assembles the extractor tool 30 by pushing down the button 44 ( s 100 ) while inserting the extractor tip 34 into the opening 46 at step s 102 . once the extractor tip 34 is in place , the surgeon releases the button 44 , locking the extractor tip 34 to the handle 32 at step s 104 . the surgeon then pushes the extractor tool 30 against the head 12 , thereby inserting the feet 54 of the extractor tip 34 through the internal female taper 22 of the sleeve 14 and into the gap 56 ( s 106 ). once the feet 54 reach the gap 56 they are no longer under compression , so the feet 54 snap open into the gap 56 . once the impact force is applied , the feet 54 serve as a holding device to keep the sleeve 14 attached to the extractor tip 34 when the head falls away ( step s 108 ). next , at step s 110 , the surgeon taps the impaction plate 41 a with a hammer or other tool ( or by hand ), creating a force that travels through the handle 32 and into the extractor tool 34 . the force sends a vibration through the tapers , thereby disengaging the taper between the external male taper 24 of the sleeve 14 from the female taper 26 of the head 12 . the head will fall off the extractor tip , leaving the sleeve still attached at step s 112 . turning now to fig1 , a kit 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown . the kit includes a plurality of heads 212 , a plurality of sleeves 214 , a plurality of stems 216 , and an extractor tool 230 . the extractor tool 230 includes a handle 232 and a plurality of extractor tips 234 . the diameters of the plurality of heads 212 are different . the heads 212 also include a female taper 226 and the taper angle of these female tapers 226 may also vary . the plurality of sleeves 214 each include an internal female taper 222 and an external male taper 224 . the sleeves 214 may vary in size ( e . g ., length , width , etc . . . . ) as well as in taper angle . the tapers of the stems 216 may also vary . the extractor tips 234 each include a flexible end having a plurality of legs 252 , each of the legs 252 having a foot 254 . the extractor tips 234 may also vary in length and in width . because the length of the sleeves 214 may vary , the length of the legs 254 on the various extractor tips 234 may vary to fit in the selected sleeve . also , because the taper angles of the female taper 226 of the head 212 may vary , the size of the feet 254 and / or the diameter of the extractor tip 234 may also vary . the extractor tips 234 may also vary the number of both the legs 252 and the feet 254 . in use , the surgeon would select one of the plurality of heads 212 and one of the plurality of sleeves 214 and assemble them for use . should the surgeon need to disassemble the sleeve 214 and the head 212 , the surgeon would then select an extractor tip 234 from the plurality of tips 234 . the selected extractor tip would have the appropriate length and width to fit into the sleeve 214 . the surgeon would then lock the selected extractor tip 234 into the handle and proceed as described in reference to fig9 . although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail , it should be understood that various changes , substitutions , and alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims .
an extractor for extracting a first component used in an orthopaedic implant from a second component used in an orthopaedic implant . the extractor includes a handle and an extractor tip . the extractor tip has a proximal end and a distal end . the proximal end connects to the handle and the distal end includes a flexible portion adapted to engage the first component .