SI Joint Stabilization via Segmented Drill Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for stabilizing dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joints are invasive, requiring large incisions, extensive soft tissue damage, and often result in post-surgical complications, with existing minimally-invasive systems being difficult to perform and prone to nerve and blood vessel damage.

Innovation Solution

A minimally-invasive system for stabilizing SI joints using a tool assembly with a guide pin and drill guide to create pilot openings through a small incision, allowing for posterior placement of a SI joint prosthesis that minimizes tissue disruption and provides secure engagement with SI joint structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional methods are used to stabilize dysfunctional SI joints, then stabilization is achieved, but large incisions and extensive soft tissue damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSI joint stabilizationVSAvoidsoft tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical approach is segmented into multiple small access points rather than one large incision. The system uses separate introducers for different instruments (drill, reamer, prosthesis) through minimal incisions, dividing the surgical trauma into localized segments that heal faster with less overall tissue damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Introducers serve as intermediary devices that guide surgical instruments through small incisions to the SI joint. These intermediaries protect surrounding soft tissues while allowing precise delivery of stabilization components, reducing direct trauma to muscles, nerves, and blood vessels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If minimally-invasive systems are used, then tissue damage is reduced, but the procedure becomes difficult to perform and prone to nerve and blood vessel damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damageVSAvoidsurgical procedure difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The introducer system is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different instruments (drills, reamers, prostheses) through the same minimal incision. This multi-functional design simplifies the surgical procedure by eliminating the need for multiple separate access points while maintaining minimally-invasive benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex manual alignment and positioning techniques with mechanically-guided introducers that have built-in alignment features. The introducers provide mechanical constraints that guide instruments along predetermined safe trajectories, reducing surgeon skill dependency and minimizing risk to nerves and blood vessels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If large incisions are made for SI joint stabilization, then direct access and visualization are improved, but post-surgical complications increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisualization and accessVSAvoidpost-surgical complications

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a replicated access pathway through the introducer that mimics the benefits of open surgery. The introducer acts as a template or copy of the ideal surgical trajectory, providing sufficient visualization and access through minimal incisions by maintaining precise spatial relationships between instruments and the SI joint target

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20230404762A1Systems for Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Stabilization

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 TENON MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Systems are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. The systems include a drill guide having a bone dislodging member adapted to create a pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint through an incision comprising a length no greater than 3.0 cm; portions of the pilot SI joint opening being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. The drill guide includes a tri-mode fixation system adapted to position and stabilize the drill guide during creation of the pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint and delivery of the SI joint prosthesis therein. The systems also include a SI joint prosthesis configured to be inserted into the pilot SI joint opening of the dysfunctional SI joint, a prosthesis deployment assembly configured to engage the SI joint prosthesis and advance the SI joint prosthesis into the dysfunctional SI joint, and a bone harvesting assembly adapted to extract and collect dislodge bone material from the bone dislodging member after creation of the pilot SI joint opening.