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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sacroiliac fusion stabilizer (SIFS) for fusing a first bone fracture fragment to a second bone fracture fragment, the SIFS comprising:
 a first lateral surface having a first curvature;   a second lateral surface, opposite the first lateral surface, having a second curvature;   the first lateral surface being spaced from the second lateral surface by a depth that defines a first side and a second side;   a cannulation that extends from the first side, through the SIFS and terminates at the second side; and   the first curvature and the second curvature providing a lazy-S shape such that the first lateral surface contacts the second lateral surface at a first junction and a second junction, the first junction being disposed proximate the first lateral surface and the second junction being disposed proximate the second lateral surface.   
     
     
         2 . The SIFS as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first junction provides a first plurality of projections, and the second junction provides a second plurality of projections,
 wherein
 each projection in the first plurality of projections is spaced from a first lateral line by a first distance that is unique within the first plurality of projections; 
 each projection in the second plurality of projections is spaced from a second lateral line by a second distance that is unique within the second plurality of projections. 
   
     
     
         3 . The SIFS as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the SIFS consists of a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first junction is disposed at a terminus of the first arm and the second junction is disposed at a terminus of the second arm. 
     
     
         4 . The SIFS as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the SIFS consists of a first arm, a second arm, a third arm and a fourth arm, wherein the first junction is disposed at a terminus of the first arm and the second junction is disposed at a terminus of the second arm, the SIFS further comprising:
 a third lateral surface having a third curvature;   a fourth lateral surface, opposite the third lateral surface, having a fourth curvature;   the third lateral surface being spaced from the fourth lateral surface by a depth that defines a third side and a fourth side;   the third curvature and the fourth curvature providing a second lazy-S shape such that the third lateral surface contacts the fourth lateral surface at a third junction and a fourth junction, the third junction being disposed proximate the second lateral surface and the fourth junction being disposed proximate the fourth lateral surface, wherein the third junction is disposed at a terminus of the third arm and the fourth junction is disposed at a terminus of the fourth arm.   
     
     
         5 . A sacroiliac fusion stabilizer (SIFS) for fusing a first bone fracture fragment to a second bone fracture fragment, the SIFS comprising at least a first arm and a second arm defined by:
 a first lateral surface having a first curvature;   a second lateral surface, opposite the first lateral surface, having a second curvature;   the first lateral surface being spaced from the second lateral surface by a depth that defines a first side and a second side;   a cannulation that extends from the first side, through the SIFS and terminates at the second side;   the first curvature and the second curvature providing a lazy-S shape such that the first lateral surface contacts the second lateral surface at a first junction and a second junction, the first junction being disposed proximate the first lateral surface to form the first arm and the second junction being disposed proximate the second lateral surface to form the second arm;   the first junction providing a first plurality of projections, and the second junction providing a second plurality of projections, wherein
 each projection in the first plurality of projections is spaced from a first lateral line by a first distance that is unique within the first plurality of projections; 
 each projection in the second plurality of projections is spaced from a second lateral line by a second distance that is unique within the second plurality of projections. 
   
     
     
         6 . The SIFS as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the SIFS consists of the first arm and the second arm. 
     
     
         7 . The SIFS as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the SIFS further comprise a third arm and a fourth arm, the third arm and the fourth arm defining a second lazy-S. 
     
     
         8 . A sacroiliac fusion stabilizer (SIFS) for fusing a first bone fracture fragment to a second bone fracture fragment, the SIFS comprising at least a first arm and a second arm defined by:
 a first lateral surface having a first curvature;   a second lateral surface, opposite the first lateral surface, having a second curvature;   the first lateral surface being spaced from the second lateral surface by a depth that defines a first side and a second side;   a cannulation that extends from the first side, through the SIFS and terminates at the second side;   the first curvature and the second curvature providing a lazy-S shape such that the first lateral surface contacts the second lateral surface at a first junction and a second junction, the first junction being disposed proximate the first lateral surface to form the first arm and the second junction being disposed proximate the second lateral surface to form the second arm;   the first junction providing a first plurality of projections, and the second junction providing a second plurality of projections, wherein
 each projection in the first plurality of projections is spaced from a first lateral line by a first distance that is unique within the first plurality of projections; 
 each projection in the second plurality of projections is spaced from a second lateral line by a second distance that is unique within the second plurality of projections; and 
   a first plurality of fenestrations in the first lateral surface and a second plurality of fenestrations in the second lateral surface.