CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A sacroiliac joint fusion and anchoring system, comprising:
a) an implant assembly comprising:
i) an implant body comprising; an insertion element comprising an elongate body with a proximal insertion element end and a distal insertion element end, and an attachment bore formed within the proximal insertion element end; an attachment element mechanically attached to and cantilevered off of the proximal insertion element end; wherein the attachment element comprises an anchor fitting formed within the attachment element or mechanically attached to the attachment element and an attachment fitting formed within the attachment element or mechanically attached to the attachment element, the attachment fitting configured to attach to an element of a spinal stabilization system; and
ii) an anchor; and
b) a delivery tool comprising:
i) an implant arm comprising a distal implant arm end configured to releasably couple to the implant body; and
ii) an anchor arm comprising a proximal anchor arm end coupled to the implant arm and a distal anchor arm end opposite to the proximal anchor arm end, wherein the distal anchor arm end distally ends in a sleeve configured to guide the anchor within a predetermined range of anchor insertion trajectories; wherein the sleeve is configured to guide the anchor through the anchor fitting within the predetermined range of anchor insertion trajectories when the distal implant arm end is releasably coupled to the implant body;
wherein the attachment bore is configured to receive a corresponding attachment fastener situated within the distal implant arm end of the delivery tool, wherein corresponding engagement between the attachment bore and the attachment fastener is configured to maintain an orientation of the implant body and the delivery tool prior to and during implantation of the insertion element into a joint; wherein the attachment bore is a threaded bore and the attachment fastener is a screw; and wherein the attachment bore further comprises one or more alignment features chosen from: one or more additional threaded bores formed within the proximal insertion element end and separated by a lateral distance from the attachment bore; and one or more alignment peg receptacles configured to receive one or more corresponding alignment pegs projecting distally from an extreme distal face of the distal implant arm end of the implant arm of the delivery tool.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the alignment peg receptacles are situated within a proximal surface of the attachment element within the lateral edge of the attachment element.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the alignment peg receptacles are inset within the lateral edge of the attachment element.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the alignment pegs are arranged in a pattern corresponding to an edge contour of the lateral edge of the attachment element.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve of the anchor arm comprises a tubular guide with a proximal opening and a distal opening, wherein the proximal opening is configured to receive a distal tip of the anchor or other orthopedic fastener and the distal opening is configured to guide the distal tip of the anchor or other orthopedic fastener within a predetermined range of insertion trajectories.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve of the anchor arm is narrow relative to a diameter of a head and shaft of an anchor or other orthopedic fastener, and wherein the sleeve is configured to guide the distal tip of the anchor or other orthopedic fastener within a narrow predetermined range of insertion trajectories.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve of the anchor arm is wide relative to a diameter of a head and shaft of an anchor or other orthopedic fastener, and wherein the sleeve is configured to guide the distal tip of the anchor or other orthopedic fastener within a wide predetermined range of insertion trajectories.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is a conical sleeve comprising a proximal opening that is large relative to the distal opening, and wherein the conical sleeve is configured to guide the distal tip of the anchor or other orthopedic fastener within a wide predetermined range of insertion trajectories.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment element and the insertion element are oriented generally perpendicular to each other.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the insertion element comprises a sacral side and an iliac side opposite the sacral side, the sacral and iliac sides extending between the proximal insertion element end and the distal insertion element end, wherein the attachment element extends in a cantilevered fashion beyond only one of the sacral side or the iliac side of the insertion element.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the anchor fitting comprises a first anchor bore and a second anchor bore both extending through the attachment element.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the attachment fitting is positioned between the first and second anchor bores.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment fitting is positioned between first and second fins of the insertion element, the first and second fins spaced apart from each other and extending a length between the proximal insertion element end and the distal insertion element end.
14. The system 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.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the head comprises an upward-opening groove to receive the rod therein.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment fitting is positioned medial to and not longitudinally in line with the insertion element.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the element of a spinal stabilization system comprises a rod.
