CLAIMS
THE SUBJECT-MATTER OF THE INVENTION FOR WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED IS DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A system for fixating a sacroiliac joint, the system comprising:
a sacroiliac joint implant comprising an elongate body including a first end, a second end and a length disposed between the first end and the second end, the elongate body being adapted to non-transversely locate in the sacroiliac joint to substantially immobilize the sacroiliac joint;
an elongate member; and
an alignment tool comprising a portion, an alignment guide, and an insertion tool, the portion of the alignment tool including an end configured to mate with the sacroiliac joint implant, the alignment guide coupled to the portion of the alignment tool, and the insertion tool engaged with the alignment guide,
wherein the engagement of the insertion tool with the alignment guide is such that the elongate member when advanced via the insertion tool is caused to pass in transverse relation to the sacroiliac joint and the elongate body of the sacroiliac joint implant while the end of the portion of the alignment tool is mated with the sacroiliac joint implant and the sacroiliac joint implant is located in the sacroiliac joint.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein: the sacroiliac joint implant further comprise one or more passages in the implant dimensioned to allow the elongate member to pass in transverse relation to the sacroiliac joint; and the engagement of the insertion tool with the alignment guide is such that the elongate member when advanced via the insertion tool is received in the one or more passages such that the elongate member passes in transverse relation to the sacroiliac joint while the end of the portion of the alignment tool is mated with the sacroiliac joint implant and the sacroiliac joint implant is located in the sacroiliac joint.
3. The system as described in claim 1, wherein the alignment tool includes a fixed or adjustably fixed configuration that aligns the alignment guide with the one or more passages.
4. The system as described in claim 1, wherein the sacroiliac joint implant further includes an axial bore which communicates with the first end of the elongate body, the end of the portion of the alignment tool being configured to fixedly mate with the axial bore.
5. The system as described in claim 1, wherein in the elongate member includes a spiral thread coupled to an external surface of the elongate member.
6. The system as described in claim 1, wherein the alignment guide includes a cannulated alignment guide.
7. The system as described in claim 6, wherein the insertion tool is slidingly engaged with the cannulated alignment guide.
8. The system as described in claim 1 wherein the sacroiliac joint implant further comprises: a first radial member extending along a longitudinal axis of the elongate body and adapted to non-transversely locate between the articular surfaces of the sacroiliac joint; and a second radial member extending along the longitudinal axis of the elongate body and adapted to extend into the bone of the ilium, wherein the second radial member is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to the first radial member.
9. The system as described in claim 8, wherein the sacroiliac joint implant further comprises: a third radial member extending along the longitudinal axis of the elongate body and disposed in substantially opposed relation to the first radial member and adapted to non- transversely locate between the articular surfaces of the sacroiliac joint; and a fourth radial member extending along the longitudinal axis of the elongate body and adapted to extend into the bone of the sacrum, wherein the fourth radial member is disposed in substantially opposed relation to the second radial member.
10. The system as described in claim 8, wherein the first radial member comprises first opposite faces, and a first aperture element extending through the first radial member between the first opposite faces.
11. The system as described in claim 10, wherein the first aperture element comprises a first perimeter that is at least partially rounded.
12. The system as described in claim 11, wherein the first perimeter defines an oval.
13. The system as described in claim 8, wherein at least one of the first radial member and the second radial member comprises an enlarged terminal portion configured to resist forward or backward travel of the sacroiliac joint implant when the sacroiliac joint implant is located in the sacroiliac joint.
14. The system as described in claim 8, wherein at least one of the first radial member and the second radial member comprises a tapered terminal portion configured to resist forward or backward travel of the sacroiliac joint implant when the sacroiliac joint implant is located in the sacroiliac joint.
15. The system as described in claim 9, wherein the second radial member and the fourth radial member are generally parallel with each other.
16. The system as described in claim 1, wherein the sacroiliac joint implant comprises a plurality of aperture elements extending at least partially through the sacroiliac joint implant and spaced apart along the length between the first end and the second end.
17. The system as described in claim 16, wherein the sacroiliac joint implant further comprises an elongate body, the plurality of aperture elements extending at least partially through the elongate body.
