Sacroiliac Joint Implants and Implantation Methods

Abstract

Sacroiliac (SI) joint implants for promoting SI joint fusion and methods of their delivery are described herein. The SI joint implant has a spacer operatively coupled to a planar member having tapered holes to receive fastening elements. When placed in the SI joint, the spacer engages the articular surfaces of the SI joint while the plate traverses the SI joint. The implant is held in place fastening elements, which are inserted through the tapered holes in the planar member. The implant is delivered via an inferior inlet MIS procedure, wherein the SI joint is accessed through an inlet inferior to the SI joint.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 893,027 filed on Oct. 18, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to surgical procedures for a sacroiliac (SI) joint, and more specifically, to SI joint implants and minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures for delivering SI joint implants.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Sacroiliac (SI) joints are located between the sacrum and the right and the left iliac bones, respectively. The SI joints provide support for the entire weight of the upper body when a human stands erect, which creates a large amount of stress on the SI joints. Therefore, these joints are susceptible to injury and degeneration. Acute and chronic injury, degeneration, and laxity of the supporting ligaments of the SI joint can result in low back and radiating buttock and leg pain in afflicted patie...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a new method and device for fixing a joint called the sacroiliac joint using a minimally invasive technique. The device includes an implant with a spacer and a planar member that are designed to stabilize the joint. The implant is fixed in place using fastening elements. This new technique provides a safer and less invasive way to fix the sacroiliac joint.

Problems solved by technology

The SI joints provide support for the entire weight of the upper body when a human stands erect, which creates a large amount of stress on the SI joints.

Therefore, these joints are susceptible to injury and degeneration.

Acute and chronic injury, degeneration, and laxity of the supporting ligaments of the SI joint can result in low back and radiating buttock and leg pain in afflicted patients.

A significant problem with certain conventional methods for SI joint fixation is that they require a surgeon to have direct access and a view of the SI joint.

Thus, some conventional SI joint fixation techniques require the use of what is commonly referred to as “open surgery,” and result in significant trauma and disruption to the tissues and skin surrounding the SI joint.

Open procedures increase the risk of damage to major nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and muscles around the incision site.

Moreover, open procedures increase operative, hospitalization, and recovery time due to the extensive soft tissue damage resulting from open surgery techniques.

Conventional lateral MIS procedures still may result in significant trauma to the major nerves, blood vessels, and muscle groups of the hip.

While current posterior MIS approaches eliminate damage to the soft tissues and neurovascular system of the lateral hip, they still carry a significant risk of trauma to the spinal nerves and major back and hip ligaments.

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