Sacroiliac joint immobilization

• US 7,648,509 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2004
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ilion Medical, Inc
• Original Assignee: Ilion Medical LLC
• Inventors: Stark, John G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert; Eduardo C
• Assistant Examiner(s): COMSTOCK, DAVID C
• Application Number:
  US10/797,481
• Publication Number:
  US 20080009861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,141 Days
• Field of Search: 606/72, 606/73, 606/76, 606/77, 606 61- 66, 606/57, 606/60, 606/86.R, 606/90, 606/86.A, 606/105, 411/393, 408/225, 623/11.11, 623/16.11, 623/17.11, 623/18.11, 623/22.11, 623/23.39
• US Class Current: 606/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1615 Drill bits, i.e. rotating tools extending from a handpiece to contact the worked material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/846 Nails or pins, i.e. anchors without movable parts, holding by friction only, with or without structured surface A61B17/72, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8897 Guide wires or guide pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30771 applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30988 Other joints not covered by any of the groups A61F2/32 - A61F2/4425
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/32 for the hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4601 for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30622 Implant for fusing a joint or bone material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3085 with a threaded, e.g. self-tapping, bone-engaging surface, e.g. external surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3093 for promoting ingrowth of bone tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30995 for sacro-iliac joints

Abstract

Improved tools and procedures relate to the immobilization of the sacroiliac joint for the treatment of pain associated with the joint. Kits comprise, for example, a guide element and an immobilization element of a biocompatible material with a size and shape suitable for placement within the sacroiliac joint. Suitable immobilization elements include, for example, pins, nails, screws, darts, wedges, shims and hardening material. A bioactive agent can be delivered into the joint to compliment the immobilization and promote healing. Suitable procedures can be done in a less invasive procedure through a cannula or the like.

Claims

1. A method for immobilizing a patient'"'"'s sacroiliac joint through a passageway provided by an extra-articular recess into the sacroiliac joint wherein the sacroiliac joint and the extra-articular recess are formed by a surface of an ilium bone and a surface of a sacrum bone, the method comprising inserting an immobilization/fusion element into the sacroiliac joint between the ilium and the sacrum bones through the extra-articular recess and thereby driving apart the surfaces of the ilium and sacrum bones that form the sacroiliac joint and adjoining surfaces of the extra-articular recess, wherein the element is inserted through a cannula, over a pin, or both, that is placed through an incision formed in the patient to immobilize the sacroiliac joint.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising drilling a region at the sacroiliac joint through the cannula.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the drilling step is performed using a drilling guide.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising placing a guide pin through the cannula.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the guide pin is place using real time imaging.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising positioning the cannula with a trocar.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising placement of a second immobilization/fusion element within the opening of the sacroiliac joint.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the immobilization/fusion element is associated with a bioactive agent.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the bioactive active agent comprises bone morphogenic protein or a cytokine effective to stimulate bone marrow growth.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the immobilization/fusion element comprises a screw.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the screw is a self-tapping screw.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the immobilization/fusion element comprises an unthreaded pin.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the immobilization/fusion element has a central channel and is inserted over a guide pin.