Single implant sacroiliac joint fusion system using a posterior approach for minimal tissue disruption

A method for preparing a sacroiliac joint for stabilization, the sacroiliac joint defined between a sacrum and an ilium, the ilium comprising a posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and a posterior inferior iliac spine (PIIS), the sacroiliac joint comprising an articular plane defined by an articular boundary, and an extra-articular plane outside the articular boundary, the articular boundary defining an anterior boundary segment at an anterior portion of the articular plane, and a posterior boundary segment at a posterior portion of the articular plane, the articular boundary comprising a superior-posterior corner and an inferior-posterior corner at the posterior portion, the method comprising:

• approaching a posterior aspect of the sacroiliac joint with a defect-creating tool assembly comprising a cutting tool, the cutting tool having a distal end and proximal end opposite thereof and an axis extending therebetween;
• aligning the axis of the cutting tool generally parallel with a plane of the sacroiliac joint;
• creating a defect at the sacroiliac joint via the cutting tool contacting at least one of the sacrum, the ilium, and the sacroiliac joint with the axis of the cutting tool generally parallel with the plane of the sacroiliac joint, the defect having a shape defined by at least one noncircular cross-sectional shape in a plane generally perpendicular to the joint plane of the sacroiliac joint;
• and
• delivering an implant into the sacroiliac joint such that a first portion of an exterior surface of the implant is at least partially received within the defect, the first portion of the exterior surface of the implant having a cross-sectional shape that generally matches the at least one noncircular cross-sectional shape of the defect, the implant further comprising a second portion of the exterior surface that extends outward from the first portion and into the sacrum and the ilium, respectively, beyond the defect generally matching the first portion of the exterior surface of the implant.

A method for preparing a sacroiliac joint for stabilization, the sacroiliac joint defined between a sacrum and an ilium, the ilium comprising a posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and a posterior inferior iliac spine (PITS), the sacroiliac joint comprising an articular plane defined by an articular boundary, and an extra-articular plane outside the articular boundary, the articular boundary defining an anterior boundary segment at an anterior portion of the articular plane, and a posterior boundary segment at a posterior portion of the articular plane, the articular boundary comprising a superior-posterior corner and an inferior-posterior corner at the posterior portion, the method comprising:

• approaching a posterior aspect of the sacroiliac joint with a defect-creating tool assembly comprising a drill bit, and first and second jigs, the first jig comprising a first drill guide hole configured to guide the drill bit along a first trajectory, the second jig comprising a second drill guide hole configured to guide the drill bit along a second trajectory that is different than the first trajectory;
• creating a defect in the sacrum and the ilium by delivering the drill bit into the sacrum and the ilium via guidance by the first and second drill guide holes of the first and second jigs, respectively, the defect having a shape defined by at least one noncircular cross-sectional shape in a plane generally perpendicular to a joint plane of the sacroiliac joint;
• and
• delivering an implant into the sacroiliac joint, the implant comprising a first portion of an exterior surface configured to generally match the at least one noncircular cross-sectional shape of the defect created by the defect-creating tool assembly.

A method for preparing a sacroiliac joint for stabilization, the sacroiliac joint defined between a sacrum and an ilium, the ilium comprising a posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and a posterior inferior iliac spine (PITS), the sacroiliac joint comprising an articular plane defined by an articular boundary, and an extra-articular plane outside the articular boundary, the articular boundary defining an anterior boundary segment at an anterior portion of the articular plane, and a posterior boundary segment at a posterior portion of the articular plane, the articular boundary comprising a superior-posterior corner and an inferior-posterior corner at the posterior portion, the method comprising:

• approaching a posterior aspect of the sacroiliac joint with a defect-creating tool assembly comprising a first cutting tool, a second cutting tool, and first and second cutting guides, the first cutting guide comprising a first cutting guide path configured to guide the first cutting tool along a first trajectory, the second cutting guide comprising a second cutting guide path configured to guide the second cutting tool along a second trajectory that is different than the first trajectory;
• creating a defect in the sacrum and the ilium by delivering the first cutting tool and second cutting tool into at least one of the sacrum, the ilium, and sacroiliac joint via guidance by the first and second cutting guide holes of the first and second cutting guides, respectively;
• and
• delivering an implant into the sacroiliac joint, the implant comprising a first portion of an exterior surface configured to generally match the cross-sectional shape of the defect created by the defect-creating tool assembly.

A method for preparing a sacroiliac joint for stabilization, the sacroiliac joint defined between a sacrum and an ilium, the method comprising:

• approaching a posterior aspect of the sacroiliac joint with a defect-creating tool assembly comprising a first cutting tool, a second cutting tool, and first and second cutting guides, the first cutting guide comprising a first cutting guide path configured to guide the first cutting tool along a first trajectory, the second cutting guide comprising a second cutting guide path configured to guide the second cutting tool;
• creating a defect in the sacrum and the ilium by delivering the first cutting tool and second cutting tool into at least one of the sacrum, the ilium, and sacroiliac joint via guidance by the first and second cutting guide paths of the first and second cutting guides, respectively, the defect having a shape defined by a cross-sectional shape in a plane generally perpendicular to a joint plane of the sacroiliac joint;
• and
• delivering an implant into the sacroiliac joint, the implant comprising a body extending a length between a proximal end and a distal end, and comprising a longitudinal axis, a first, second, third and fourth members extending along the length generally outwardly from the longitudinal axis, and separated by one another by a first, second, third and fourth angles, the body of the implant further comprising a first portion of an exterior surface configured to generally match the cross-sectional shape of the defect created by the defect-creating tool assembly.

A method for preparing a sacroiliac joint for stabilization, the sacroiliac joint defined between a sacrum and an ilium, the method comprising:

• approaching a posterior aspect of the sacroiliac joint with a defect-creating tool assembly comprising a first cutting tool and a first cutting guide, the first cutting guide comprising a first cutting guide path configured to guide the first cutting tool along a first trajectory;
• creating a defect in the sacrum and the ilium by delivering the first cutting tool into at least one of the sacrum, the ilium, and sacroiliac joint via guidance by the first cutting guide path of the first cutting guide, respectively, the defect having a shape defined by a cross-sectional shape in a plane generally perpendicular to a joint plane of the sacroiliac joint;
• and
• delivering an implant into the sacroiliac joint, the implant comprising a body extending a length between a proximal end and a distal end, and having a generally rectangular volume including a sacral side opposite an iliac side, a top side opposite a bottom side, an opening extending between the top and bottom sides, and first and second passages extending through the proximal end, wherein a location of the first passage is positioned adjacent the sacrum and a location of the second passage is positioned adjacent the ilium, and a first portion of an exterior surface configured to generally match the cross-sectional shape of the defect created by the defect-creating tool assembly;
• and
• delivering a first elongate member into engagement with the sacrum while supported by the first passage, and delivering a second elongate member into engagement with the ilium while supported by the second passage.