CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly for use on a pelvic region including a sacrum, an ilium, and a sacroiliac joint defined there between, the sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly comprising:
1) an implant body comprising:
a) an insertion element comprising an elongate body with a proximal insertion element end and a distal insertion element end, the insertion element adapted to be positioned within the sacroiliac joint, the insertion element comprising an insertion plate including a medial face, a lateral face opposite to the medial face, and one or more bores, wherein: i) each of the one or more bores comprises a bore cross-sectional profile and a bore axis situated along a bore centerline comprising a line connecting each additional bore's cross-sectional profile centroids; ii) each of the one or more bores is situated on the medial face or lateral face and is directed inward along the bore centerline; iii) each of the one or more bores is configured to receive a distal end of an additional orthopedic fastener; and iv) each of the one or more bores is a blind bore extending partially through the insertion plate to the lateral face or medial face; and
b) an attachment element mechanically attached to 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, wherein the anchor fitting is configured to overlay a posterior aspect of only one of the sacrum and the ilium when the insertion element is positioned within the sacroiliac joint; and
2) an anchor comprising a threaded shank and a head, wherein the anchor fitting is configured to receive the anchor inserted within a predetermined range of anchor insertion trajectories so as to anchor the implant body to the pelvic region.
2. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the insertion plate further comprises one or more elongate fins wherein each of the one or more fins projects perpendicularly outward from the medial face or the lateral face and extends longitudinally between the insertion element end and the distal insertion element end.
3. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 2, wherein the fins and the insertion plate taper toward a narrow insertion plate leading edge.
4. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 3, wherein the insertion plate leading edge is configured for insertion into the sacroiliac joint.
5. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the one or more bores is configured to receive a distal end of the anchor projecting from the anchor fitting after insertion of the anchor into the anchor fitting within the predetermined range of anchor insertion trajectories.
6. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 5, wherein the one of the one or more bores is configured to receive a distal end of the anchor projecting from the anchor fitting has a cross-sectional profile chosen from: square, rectangular, circular, oval, triangular and any combination thereof.
7. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment element is permanently attached at a fixed position and angle to the proximal end of the insertion element, wherein the angle formed between the attachment element and the insertion element ranges from 30 degrees to 120 degrees.
8. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 7, wherein the attachment element and insertion element are formed as a continuous structure.
9. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment element and insertion element are attached in a hinged attachment, wherein the angle formed between the attachment element and insertion element ranges from 30 degrees to 120 degrees.
10. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 9, wherein the anchor fitting comprises a bore formed within the attachment element, wherein the bore is an open bore passing from a proximal attachment element surface to a distal attachment element surface.
11. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 10, wherein the bore has a cross-sectional profile chosen from: square, rectangular, circular, oval, triangular and any combination thereof.
12. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 11, wherein the bore is configured to allow the insertion of an anchor at any angle of up to 45 degrees relative to an axis perpendicular to a region of the attachment element in close proximity to the bore.
13. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor is chosen from: a cortical screw, a cancellous screw, and a Steffee screw.
14. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 13, wherein the anchor is a Steffee screw and the anchor fitting is a Steffee plate formed within the attachment element.
15. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 13, wherein the anchor is a dual-threaded bone screw comprising a head and a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a proximal threaded segment comprising a first threading pattern and a distal threaded segment comprising a second threading pattern.
16. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 15, wherein the first threading pattern and the second threading pattern are independently chosen from a threading pattern chosen from a cortical pattern compatible with cortical bone and a cancellous pattern compatible with cancellous bone.
17. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment element further comprises an attachment fitting attached to a guide formed within the attachment element, the attachment fitting configured to attach to an element of a spinal stabilization system.
18. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 17, wherein the guide comprises a guide bore configured to receive an attachment fitting comprising a head of a polyaxial pedicle screw, wherein a distal end of the polyaxial screw is inserted through the guide bore within a predetermined range of attachment fitting insertion angles.
19. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 18, wherein the head of the polyaxial pedicle screw comprises at least two sides forming a lower surface of an upward-facing groove configured to receive a rod and further forming a threaded fitting configured to receive a locking nut.
20. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment element extends outward from only one of the medial face or the lateral face of the insertion plate.
21. The sacroiliac joint fusion implant assembly of claim 20, wherein the attachment element further comprises an attachment fitting, the attachment fitting configured to attach to an element of a spinal stabilization system.
