CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. An implant assembly for fusing a sacroiliac joint defined between an ilium and a sacrum, the implant assembly comprising:
a) an implant body comprising:
i) an insertion element comprising: a length extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal insertion element end and a distal insertion element end, a first fin extending the length, a second fin spaced apart from the first fin and extending the length, an opening defined between the first and second fins and an insertion plate extending at least a portion of the length and extending between and coupling the first and second fins together at the proximal insertion element end, the first fin, the second fin, and the insertion plate extending distally beyond a distal facing surface of an attachment element, the first and second fins extending generally perpendicularly outward from the insertion plate, the opening extending to the distal insertion element end to define an open distal end, the first and second fins being generally planar and generally parallel to each other, the first and second fins coupled together at the proximal insertion element end, wherein each of the first and second fins comprises a pair of planar surfaces opposite each other, a pair of edges opposite each other and extending between the pair of planar surfaces, a thickness defined between the pair of planar surfaces, and a width defined between the pair of edges, wherein the width is greater than the thickness; and
ii) the attachment element extending from and mechanically attached to the proximal insertion element end, the attachment element comprising an attachment fitting configured to attach to an element of a spinal stabilization system, a first anchor fitting, and a second anchor fitting, each of the first and second anchor fittings is formed within the attachment element or mechanically attached to the attachment element; and
b) first and second anchors, wherein the first and second anchor fittings are configured to receive the first and second anchors, respectively.
2. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the first anchor fitting comprises a first bore extending through the attachment element, and the second anchor fitting comprises a second bore extending through the attachment element.
3. The implant assembly of claim 2, wherein the attachment fitting is positioned between the first and second bores.
4. The implant assembly of claim 2, wherein the attachment fitting is positioned between the first and second fins.
5. The implant assembly of claim 2, wherein the first fin comprises a first fin longitudinal axis, the second fin comprises a second fin longitudinal axis, the first bore comprises a first bore axis, the second bore comprises a second bore axis, wherein none of the first fin longitudinal axis, the second fin longitudinal axis, first bore axis, and the second bore axis are coaxial with each other.
6. The implant assembly of claim 2, wherein the first and second bores are laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the insertion element.
7. The implant assembly of claim 2, wherein the attachment element comprises a structure that is not centrally positioned over the insertion element.
8. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second anchor fittings are positioned on the same side of the insertion plate.
9. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the insertion plate defines a plane, and the first and second anchor fittings are positioned on the same side of the plane.
10. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the insertion element is configured to be implanted in the sacroiliac joint such that: the insertion plate is generally parallel with a joint line of the sacroiliac joint; the first and second fins extend across the joint line; and both the first and second anchor fittings oppose the sacrum for delivery of the first and second anchors into the sacrum.
11. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the insertion element is configured to be implanted in the sacroiliac joint such that: the insertion plate is generally parallel with a joint line of the sacroiliac joint; the first and second fins extend across the joint line; and both the first and second anchor fittings oppose the ilium for delivery of the first and second anchors into the ilium.
12. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment fitting comprises a head configured to receive a rod and a threaded compression element to secure the rod in position.
13. The implant assembly of claim 12, wherein the head comprises an upward-opening groove to receive the rod therein.
14. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the first anchor is configured to extend through the opening in the insertion element when received in the first anchor fitting.
15. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the element of a spinal stabilization system comprises a rod.
16. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second anchor fittings are positioned on opposite sides of the attachment element.
17. The implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment element is permanently attached at a fixed position and angle to the proximal insertion element end of the insertion element, wherein the angle formed between the attachment element and the insertion element ranges from about 30.degree. to about 120.degree..
18. The implant assembly of claim 17, wherein the attachment element and insertion element are formed as a continuous structure.
