Minimally invasive surgical systems for fusion of the sacroiliac joint

Abstract

A sacroiliac fusion stabilizer (SIFS) for fusing a first bone fracture fragment to a second bone fracture fragment is provided. In one embodiment, the SIFS has a lazy-S shape with a series of protrusions at the ends of the SIFS. In another embodiment, the SIFS has two overlapping lazy-S shapes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to and is a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application 62 / 353,828 (filed Jun. 23, 2016), the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Many causes of lower back pain have been identified, and the differential diagnosis of low back pain is indeed foreboding when first reviewed. However, most causes can be identified by other associated symptoms and the vast majority of patients with lower back pain are found to have degenerative disease of the spine. More recently, a study performed at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md., has shown that upwards of 20% of patients with chronic low back pain actually suffer from inflammation / irritation of one or both of the sacroiliac joints. These are the junctions between the sacrum, which is the base of the spine, and the posterior-medial aspect of the iliac bones. Treatment of pain arising from the sacroilia...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a sacroiliac fusion stabilizer (SIFS) that is used to fuse two bone fragments together. The SIFS has a unique shape that allows it to be inserted between the two fragments and stabilize them during the healing process. The SIFS has two arms that are connected at a first and second junction. The first arm has several projections that make contact with the second arm at a unique distance. The SIFS also has several fenestrations that allow for bone growth and healing. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a reliable and effective tool for stabilizing sacroiliac joints during spine surgery.

Problems solved by technology

However, there are a number of patients who do not respond well to these measures, or in whom the response to other measures was merely transient, and in this setting fusion of the lumbar spine is often considered.

This is somewhat controversial; detractors of the procedure point to the fact that this joint is a fixed joint to begin with, and as such there is little movement naturally occurring.

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