Tri-Mode Drill Guide for Minimally Invasive SI Joint Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional SI joint stabilization methods, both open and minimally-invasive, suffer from 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 immune responses.

Innovation Solution

A minimally-invasive system utilizing a tool assembly with a guide pin, drill guide, and prosthesis deployment assembly for posterior access, which includes a drill guide with fixation sub-systems to create a pilot opening and securely insert a prosthesis into the SI joint, minimizing tissue disruption and enhancing engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional open SI joint stabilization methods are used, then prosthesis engagement with SI joint structures is achieved, but extensive tissue damage and increased risk of complications occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprosthesis engagementVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional open mechanical surgical approach with a minimally-invasive percutaneous system that uses image guidance (fluoroscopy/CBCT) and specialized delivery devices to implant prostheses through small incisions, thereby achieving prosthesis engagement while minimizing tissue damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces image guidance systems (fluoroscopy, CBCT) and specialized delivery devices as intermediaries between the surgeon and the SI joint, enabling accurate prosthesis placement through minimally-invasive percutaneous approaches while reducing direct tissue disruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If minimally-invasive SI joint stabilization methods are used, then tissue disruption is reduced, but difficulty in visualization and suboptimal engagement with SI joint structures occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue disruptionVSAvoidvisualization

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs fluoroscopy and CBCT imaging systems as intermediaries to provide real-time visualization guidance during minimally-invasive prosthesis implantation, allowing accurate placement while maintaining small incisions and reducing tissue disruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes fluoroscopic imaging that provides contrast visualization of bone structures and implanted prostheses through differential X-ray absorption, enabling real-time monitoring of prosthesis placement accuracy without requiring open surgical exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If minimally-invasive SI joint stabilization methods are used, then tissue disruption is reduced, but prosthesis displacement and immune responses may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue disruptionVSAvoidprosthesis engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs image guidance (fluoroscopy/CBCT) and specialized delivery devices with fixation mechanisms to ensure accurate prosthesis placement and secure engagement before completing the minimally-invasive procedure, preventing displacement while maintaining reduced tissue disruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces open surgical exposure with image-guided percutaneous delivery systems that use specialized mechanisms to ensure accurate prosthesis placement and secure engagement, achieving reliable fixation while minimizing tissue disruption through small incisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12551348B2Systems for sacroiliac joint stabilization

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 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 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, and a prosthesis deployment assembly configured to engage the SI joint prosthesis and advance the SI joint prosthesis into the dysfunctional SI joint.