An improved method of fusing the sacroiliac joint and tools for accomplishing the same is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention is a method that uses an intra-articular joint fusion device for connecting the sacrum and ilium that includes creating a first incision in the patient's skin proximal to the patient's sacroiliac joint, inserting a surgical channel tool into the incision from the patient's posterior, creating a void in the sacroiliac joint, inserting a fusion implant into the void, the fusion implant having at least one fixation element for engagement with bone tissue in the articular surfaces of the sacrum and the ilium, and driving the fusion implant into the void such that the at least one fixation element engages with bone tissue in an articular surface of at least one of the sacrum and ilium, and the fusion implant fixes relative positions of the sacrum and ilium.

A helicoil interference fixation system comprising: a helicoil comprising a helical body comprising a plurality of turns separated by spaces therebetween, the helical body terminating in a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one internal strut extending between at least two turns of the helical body; and an inserter for turning the helicoil, the inserter comprising at least one groove for receiving the at least one strut; the helicoil being mounted on the inserter such that the at least one strut of the helicoil is mounted in the at least one groove of the inserter, such that rotation of the inserter causes rotation of the helicoil.

A monolithic tissue screw fabricated of a single, unitary piece of material. The monolithic tissue screw has a helical coil portion and screw head portion with a driver aperture passing axially through the screw head portion and a co-axial with the helical coil portion such that a rotational torsional force applied by a mating driver to the driver aperture causes the helical coil portion to rotate about its axis. The helical coil portion engages tissue and draws the helical coil and the screw head portion into the tissue substantially only with the application of the rotational torsional force and substantially without an axial force applied to the tissue screw.

A woven retention device for interfacing with a bone surface is provided that includes a sleeve body that can surround a fastener, a proximal end for receiving the fastener, and a distal end. The sleeve body includes interwoven monofilaments of different diameters forming a substantially tubular lattice with protuberances distributed on interior and exterior surfaces of the lattice at a predetermined spatial relationship. In a first state, the sleeve body has a plurality of combinations of filament cross-section geometries at the intersection points, forming a plurality of protuberance thicknesses as measured in a radial direction of the sleeve body. In a second state when a fastener is inserted into the tubular lattice, pressure from the fastener is transmitted to the tubular lattice such that the spatial relationship of the protuberances changes according to a function of bone density and an interfacing surface shape of the fastener.

An improved method of fusing the sacroiliac joint and tools for accomplishing the same is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention is a method that uses an intra-articular joint fusion device for connecting the sacrum and ilium that includes creating a first incision in the patient's skin proximal to the patient's sacroiliac joint, inserting a surgical channel tool into the incision from the patient's posterior, creating a void in the sacroiliac joint, inserting a fusion implant into the void, the fusion implant having at least one fixation element for engagement with bone tissue in the articular surfaces of the sacrum and the ilium, and driving the fusion implant into the void such that the at least one fixation element engages with bone tissue in an articular surface of at least one of the sacrum and ilium, and the fusion implant fixes relative positions of the sacrum and ilium.

Anchor delivery systems include markings on the surfaces of the delivery device which are visually exposed to the user through openings or fenestrations in the anchor, providing visual feedback to the user on the progress of the anchor's insertion. A suture-locking plug is deformable within the anchor tip, thereby enhancing suture entrapment within the tip of the anchor. A compliant component of the handle places the handle components in tension, thereby absorbing built-in axial looseness in the handle. The handle further includes a spin cavity which allows for free spin of the inserter shaft to finalize insertion of the anchor into bone when the anchor has not been fully seated flush with or below the cortical bone surface.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for immobilizing and/or securing bone portions. Particularly, at least one embodiment involves a compact anti-rotation device that can secure adjacent bones and/or bone portions in a manner that prevents or limits relative rotational movement thereof.

Bone fixation system including methods, apparatus, and kits, for steering a leading end of a fastener within bone. In some embodiments, the system may include (a) a flexible fastener having an external thread, and (b) a guide including a graspable handle attached or attachable to a wire having a distal end portion with a preformed longitudinal curvature in a direction indicated by the handle. The wire may be extendable through the fastener and configured to be advanced longitudinally, while extending through the fastener, such that the distal end portion of the wire penetrates bone ahead of a leading end of the fastener and creates a curved travel path for the leading end of the fastener.

Bone implants, including methods of use and assembly. The bone implants, which are optionally composite implants, generally include a distal anchoring region and a growth region that is proximal to the distal anchoring region. The distal anchoring region can have one or more distal surface features that adapt the distal anchoring region for anchoring into iliac bone. The growth region can have one or more growth features that adapt the growth region to facilitate at least one of bony on-growth, in-growth, or through-growth. The implants may be positioned along a posterior sacral alar-iliac (“SAI”) trajectory. The implants may be coupled to one or more bone stabilizing constructs, such as rod elements thereof.