SI Joint Prosthesis Placement Through a Shaped Drill Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional SI joint stabilization methods, both open and minimally-invasive, suffer from significant disadvantages such as extensive tissue damage, increased risk of complications, difficulty in visualization, and suboptimal engagement with SI joint structures, leading to potential prosthesis displacement and adverse immune responses.
Innovation Solution
A minimally-invasive method using a tool assembly with a guide pin and drill guide to create a pilot opening posteriorly, allowing for secure placement of a SI joint prosthesis with optimal visualization and engagement, minimizing tissue disruption and facilitating osseous tissue remodeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open surgical methods are used for SI joint stabilization, then secure engagement with SI joint structures is achieved, but extensive tissue damage and increased risk of complications occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional open mechanical surgical exposure with image-guided minimally invasive percutaneous techniques, using fluoroscopic or CT imaging to guide needle and prosthesis placement, thereby achieving secure engagement without extensive tissue dissection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image guidance systems (fluoroscopy or CT) as intermediaries to mediate between the surgeon and the SI joint structures, enabling precise placement of stabilization devices through small incisions without direct visual exposure of the joint
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally-invasive methods are used for SI joint stabilization, then tissue damage is reduced, but difficulty in visualization and suboptimal engagement with SI joint structures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct visual inspection through open surgery with image-guided systems (fluoroscopy or CT), substituting mechanical exposure with radiographic visualization to maintain tissue integrity while achieving adequate visualization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs real-time or near-real-time imaging feedback (fluoroscopic or CT images) to guide and verify the placement of needles and prostheses, allowing the surgeon to adjust positioning based on visual feedback from the imaging system
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally-invasive methods are used for SI joint stabilization, then tissue disruption is minimized, but prosthesis displacement may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary image-guided positioning and verification of prosthesis placement before final cementation or fixation, ensuring proper positioning is achieved before the prosthesis is permanently secured, thereby preventing displacement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image guidance feedback to verify prosthesis positioning and engagement with SI joint structures before final fixation, allowing real-time adjustment to ensure stability and prevent displacement
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. The methods include the initial steps of providing a drill guide assembly adapted to create a pilot opening in the dysfunctional SI joint, a prosthesis configured to be inserted into the pilot opening created by the drill guide assembly and a prosthesis deployment assembly adapted to engage and advance the prosthesis into the pilot opening in the dysfunctional SI joint. The drill guide assembly includes a drill guide having a prosthesis access opening therethrough; the opening having a configuration that corresponds to the shape of the prosthesis. In some aspects of the invention, the methods thus include the step of advancing the prosthesis through the drill guide and then into the pilot opening in the dysfunctional SI joint with the prosthesis deployment assembly; the initial advancement of the prosthesis through the drill guide providing consistent, optimal placement of the prosthesis in the dysfunctional SI joint.