CLAIMS
1. A method of fusing a sacroiliac joint comprising a sacrum, an ilium, and a joint space defined between the sacrum and the ilium, the method comprising:
a) approaching the sacroiliac joint with a joint implant comprising a longitudinal axis, a hollow interior, and an exterior surface having a plurality of openings defined therein that extend into the hollow interior, which is adapted to have a biological material located therein prior to the implantation of the joint implant, the hollow interior defining a space linking the plurality of openings with each other, and the exterior surface comprising a first surface defining a first portion of the plurality of openings, and a second surface opposite the first surface and defining a second portion of the plurality of openings, the first and second surfaces being generally parallel to each other, wherein the first portion of the plurality of openings are arranged in a first pattern on the first surface, and the second portion of the plurality of openings are arranged in a second pattern on the second surface, the first and second patterns matching each other, and wherein a first plurality of linearly extending struts separates the first portion of the plurality of openings where at least three struts of the first plurality of linearly extending struts extend diagonally to the longitudinal axis in a first strut pattern, and wherein a second plurality of linearly extending struts separates the second portion of the plurality of openings where at least three struts of the second plurality of linearly extending struts extend diagonally to the longitudinal axis in a second strut pattern, the first and second strut patterns matching each other;
b) delivering the joint implant non-transversly into the joint space such that the longitudinal axis of the joint implant generally lies within a joint plane defined by the joint space of the sacroiliac joint space; and
c) delivering an anchor element into a sacroiliac region through bone material defining at least one of the sacrum and the ilium.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the joint implant further comprises a first bore extending non-parallel to the longitudinal axis and wherein the anchor element is delivered into the first bore of the joint implant.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the joint implant further comprises a distal end, a proximal end, and a body extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the first bore extends non-parallel to the hollow interior, which extends at least partially between the distal and proximal ends.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the joint implant is coupled to a delivery tool when delivering the joint implant non-transversely into the joint space, the delivery tool comprising an implant arm configured to releasably couple to the proximal end of the joint implant, and an anchor arm coupled to the implant arm and configured to guide delivery of the anchor element transversely to the joint space.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the implant arm and the anchor arm are coupled together in a fixed relationship such that the anchor arm is correctly oriented to deliver the anchor element in a predetermined path relative to the joint implant when the joint implant is coupled with the implant arm and the anchor element is coupled to the anchor arm.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the joint implant further comprises a first bore extending non-parallel to the longitudinal axis and wherein the predetermined path comprises the anchor element being delivered into the first bore.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein the predetermined path comprises the anchor element being delivered adjacent the joint implant and not into a first bore of the joint implant.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein in being coupled together, the implant arm and anchor arm form an angle relative to each other that is non-adjustable.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant further comprises a first bore extending nonparallel to the longitudinal axis.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the joint implant further comprises a first pair of planar members radially extending from the body of the joint implant.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the body of the joint implant is defined by at least a portion of an intersecting or intermediate region of the first pair of planar members.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the hollow interior extends within the confines of the first pair of planar members and the exterior surface in which the plurality of openings is defined includes exterior planar surfaces of the first pair of planar members.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the implant further comprises a second pair of planar members radially extending from the body of the joint implant generally perpendicular to the first pair of planar members.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first pair of planar members extend over a wider radial extent than the second pair of planar members.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the space links the plurality of openings so as to be in fluid communication with each other.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the joint implant further comprises a side surface extending between the first and second surfaces, the side surface extending a perimeter of the joint implant and including a closed inferior portion so as to limit an amount of seepage of the biological material from the hollow interior of the joint implant.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of openings is triangular in shape.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein in step c), the anchor element is delivered transversely to the joint space.
