Joint fusion instrumentation and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for joint preparation and fusion are disclosed. The system includes a cutting device having a handle, and rigid blade member. The blade member may include cutting edges on first and second sides, and may be curved in one or more planes. The blade member may be deployed to project outside of an outer tube, and the cutting device may be rotated to create a circular cavity. In a method of use, a cannula provides access to a procedure site such as a joint. A pathway to the joint is created, and the cutting device is inserted and deployed to undercut a cavity in the joint. A fusion device may be implanted across the joint to provide compression and fuse the joint. The system may also include instrumentation for creating access to a joint, bone graft insertion and implant insertion.

1 . A cannula system comprising:
 a cannula comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a peripheral wall extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a cannula bore surrounded by the peripheral wall; and   a stabilizing element comprising a proximal end and a distal end;   wherein the stabilizing element is removably attachable to the cannula.   
     
     
         2 . The cannula system of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the stabilizing element is removably attachable to the proximal end of the cannula. 
     
     
         3 . The cannula system of  claim 2 , wherein the proximal end of the cannula comprises a first bracket, wherein the proximal end of the stabilizing element is removably attachable to the first bracket. 
     
     
         4 . The cannula system of  claim 3 , wherein the first bracket extends outwardly from an exterior surface of the peripheral wall of the cannula. 
     
     
         5 . The cannula system of  claim 4 , wherein the cannula comprises a second bracket that extends outwardly from the exterior surface of the peripheral wall of the cannula distal to the first bracket, wherein the stabilizing element is removably attachable to the second bracket. 
     
     
         6 . The cannula system of  claim 5 , wherein the cannula bore defines a cannula central longitudinal axis, wherein when the stabilizing element is attached to the first and second brackets, the stabilizing element extends oblique to the cannula central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The cannula system of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula bore defines a cannula central longitudinal axis, wherein when the stabilizing element is attached to the cannula, the stabilizing element extends oblique to the cannula central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         8 . The cannula system of  claim 7 , wherein when the stabilizing element is attached to the cannula, the distal end of the stabilizing element extends distally oblique to the cannula central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . A cannula system comprising:
 a cannula comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a cannula bore extending between the proximal and distal ends; and   a stabilizing element comprising a proximal end and a distal end;   wherein the proximal end of the stabilizing element is removably attachable to the cannula.   
     
     
         10 . The cannula system of  claim 9 , wherein the proximal end of the stabilizing element is removably attachable to the proximal end of the cannula. 
     
     
         11 . The cannula system of  claim 10 , wherein the proximal end of the cannula comprises a first bracket, wherein the proximal end of the stabilizing element is removably attachable to the first bracket. 
     
     
         12 . The cannula system of  claim 11 , wherein the first bracket extends outwardly from an exterior surface of a peripheral wall of the cannula, wherein the peripheral wall extends between the proximal and distal ends of the cannula and surrounds the cannula bore. 
     
     
         13 . The cannula system of  claim 12 , wherein the cannula comprises a second bracket that extends outwardly from the exterior surface of the peripheral wall of the cannula distal to the first bracket, wherein the stabilizing element is removably attachable to the second bracket. 
     
     
         14 . The cannula system of  claim 13 , wherein the cannula bore defines a cannula central longitudinal axis, wherein when the stabilizing element is attached to the first and second brackets, the stabilizing element extends oblique to the cannula central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The cannula system of  claim 9 , wherein the cannula bore defines a cannula central longitudinal axis, wherein when the stabilizing element is attached to the cannula, the stabilizing element extends oblique to the cannula central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         16 . The cannula system of  claim 15 , wherein when the stabilizing element is attached to the cannula, the distal end of the stabilizing element extends distally oblique to the cannula central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         17 . A cannula system comprising:
 a cannula comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a cannula bore extending between the proximal and distal ends; and   a stabilizing element comprising a proximal end and a distal end;   wherein the stabilizing element is removably attachable to the cannula;   wherein when the stabilizing element is attached to the cannula, the stabilizing element extends beside the cannula.   
     
     
         18 . The cannula system of  claim 17 , wherein the proximal end of the stabilizing element is removably attachable to the proximal end of the cannula. 
     
     
         19 . The cannula system of  claim 18 , wherein the cannula bore defines a cannula central longitudinal axis, wherein the proximal end of the cannula comprises a first bracket and a second bracket, wherein the first and second brackets extend outwardly from an exterior surface of a peripheral wall of the cannula, wherein the second bracket is distal to the first bracket, wherein the proximal end of the stabilizing element is removably attachable to the first bracket, wherein the stabilizing element is removably attachable to the second bracket, wherein when the stabilizing element is attached to the first and second brackets, the stabilizing element extends oblique to the cannula central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         20 . The cannula system of  claim 17 , wherein the cannula bore defines a cannula central longitudinal axis, wherein when the stabilizing element is attached to the cannula, the distal end of the stabilizing element extends distally oblique to the cannula central longitudinal axis.