Systems for and methods of fusing a sacroiliac joint

• US 10,034,676 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2012
• Issued: 07/31/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JCBD, LLC
• Original Assignee: JCBD, LLC
• Inventors: Donner, Edward Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Ku, Si Ming
• Application Number:
  US14/344,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20140336763A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,142 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/025 Joint distractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1626 Control means; Display units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1739 specially adapted for particular parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7043 with a longitudinal element fixed to one or more transverse elements which connect multiple screws or hooks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7055 connected to sacrum, pelvis or skull
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7074 Tools specially adapted for spinal fixation operations other than for bone removal or filler handling A61B17/7062, A61B17/808, A61B17/8858 take precedence; for spinal image producing devices A61B90/36, A61B34/20; markers A61B90/39
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8645 Headless screws, e.g. ligament interference screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30988 Other joints not covered by any of the groups A61F2/32 - A61F2/4425
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4455 for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages intervertebral discs A61F2/442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/46 Special tools or methods for implanting or extracting artificial joints, accessories, bone grafts or substitutes, or particular adaptations therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4611 of spinal prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30179 X-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30622 Implant for fusing a joint or bone material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30995 for sacro-iliac joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4687 Mechanical guides for implantation instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00359 : Bone or bony tissue

Abstract

A sacroiliac joint fusion system including a joint implant, anchor element and delivery tool. The joint implant includes a bore extending non-parallel to the implant longitudinal axis. The anchor element is for receiving in the bore. The delivery tool includes an implant arm and anchor arm. The implant arm distal end is releasably coupled to the joint implant proximal end so the implant arm longitudinal axis is coaxial or parallel with the implant body longitudinal axis. An anchor arm distal end is engaged to the anchor element proximal end. The anchor arm is coupled to the implant arm such that the anchor element longitudinal axis is coaxially aligned with the bore longitudinal axis when the implant arm distal end is releasably coupled with the implant proximal end and the anchor arm distal end is engaged with the anchor element proximal end.

Claims

1. A method of sacroiliac joint fusion, the method comprising:

a) approaching a posterior aspect of a sacroiliac joint space with a joint implant comprising a body extending a length between a distal end and a proximal end;

b) delivering the joint implant into the sacroiliac joint space such that the joint implant passes through an access region defined between a posterior inferior overhang of a posterior superior iliac spine and a posterior inferior iliac spine, the joint implant being oriented in the sacroiliac joint space such that a portion of the body of the joint implant is positioned within a joint plane of the sacroiliac joint space, and such that the distal end of the joint implant is positioned posteriorly of an anterior boundary of the sacroiliac joint space; and

c) delivering an anchor into bone material defining at least a portion of the sacroiliac joint space, and through a bore extending through the body of the joint implant.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, in delivering the joint implant into a sacroiliac joint space, the joint implant gains access to the sacroiliac joint space via a caudal access.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the joint implant is implanted in a caudal region of the sacroiliac joint space.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, in delivering the joint implant into the sacroiliac joint space, the joint implant passes through a posterior inferior access region.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the joint implant is positioned substantially in a caudal region of the sacroiliac joint space.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the joint implant is positioned at least partially in each of a cranial region and a caudal region of the sacroiliac joint space.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the joint implant is positioned at least partially in an extra-articular region of the sacroiliac joint space.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

d) forming an implant receiving space in at least one of the sacrum or the ilium prior to delivery of the joint implant into the sacroiliac joint space.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the implant receiving space is formed in the sacrum.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the implant receiving space is formed in the ilium.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the implant receiving space is formed in the sacrum and the ilium.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the implant receiving space comprises at least one planar receiving space for receiving a planar portion of the joint implant.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein, upon delivering the joint implant into the sacroiliac joint space, a substantially planar surface on an inferior side of the joint implant is positioned adjacent to and substantially parallel to an inferior boundary of the sacroiliac joint space, the inferior boundary extending along a sciatic notch.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein, upon delivering the joint implant into the sacroiliac joint space, the distal end of the joint implant is positioned adjacent a superior boundary of the sacroiliac joint space.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the body of the joint implant further comprises a first member, a second member opposite the first member, and a middle member extending between the first and second members, the first and second members being generally perpendicular to the middle member.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, when the joint implant is oriented in the sacroiliac joint space such that the middle member is generally coplanar with the joint plane of the sacroiliac joint space, the first and second members extend into bone material defining at least a portion of the sacroiliac joint space.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the middle member and the first and second members extend the length of the body of the joint implant.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the middle member and the first and second members are all planar members.