Systems are described for stabilizing a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint of a subject. The systems include a tool assembly and a defect creation assembly, and a prosthesis. The tool assembly is adapted to create a pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint; portions of which being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. The prosthesis is sized and configured to be press-fit into the pilot SI joint opening, wherein the pilot SI joint opening transitions to a larger post-prosthesis insertion SI joint opening and the prosthesis is securely engaged to the sacrum and ilium bone structures. The system optionally includes an image capture apparatus adapted to capture images reflecting positions and/or orientations of the tool assembly when disposed in the subject's body.

Methods are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. In one embodiment, a defect creation assembly is advanced from a posterior approach into the SI joint and configured to create pilot SI joint opening; portions of which being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. After the pilot SI joint opening is created, a prosthesis is press-fit into the pilot SI joint opening, wherein the pilot SI joint opening transitions to a larger post-prosthesis insertion SI joint opening and the prosthesis is securely engaged to the sacrum and ilium bone structures.

An expandable interbody fusion device and an associated instrument for inserting the device into an intervertebral disc space, expanding the device and for use in delivering graft material into the device once expanded in the disc space. The device is small enough to fit through Kambin's triangle yet is capable of expanding both in the vertical direction to accommodate spinal lordosis and in the lateral direction to provide sufficient structural support for opposing vertebral bodies laterally within the disc space. A process of forming textured top and bottom surfaces of the device by initially laser ablating each surface with a nano-second pulsed laser followed by laser ablating those surfaces with a femto-second pulsed laser.

Methods are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. In one embodiment, a drill assembly is advanced from a posterior approach into the SI joint to create a pilot SI joint opening; portions of which being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. After the pilot SI joint opening is created, a SI joint prosthesis is inserted into the pilot SI joint opening, wherein the SI joint prosthesis is positioned in the dysfunctional SI joint at a distance of at least 3.0 mm away from the SI joint dorsal recess.

Methods are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. In one embodiment, a drill assembly is advanced from a posterior approach into the SI joint to create a pilot SI joint opening; portions of which being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. After the pilot SI joint opening is created, a SI joint prosthesis is inserted into the pilot SI joint opening, wherein the SI joint prosthesis is positioned in the dysfunctional SI joint at a distance of at least 3.0 mm away from the SI joint dorsal recess.

Methods are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. The methods include the initial steps of providing a drill guide assembly adapted to create a pilot opening in the dysfunctional SI joint, a prosthesis configured to be inserted into the pilot opening created by the drill guide assembly and a prosthesis deployment assembly adapted to engage and advance the prosthesis into the pilot opening in the dysfunctional SI joint. The drill guide assembly includes a drill guide having a prosthesis access opening therethrough; the opening having a configuration that corresponds to the shape of the prosthesis. In some aspects of the invention, the methods thus include the step of advancing the prosthesis through the drill guide and then into the pilot opening in the dysfunctional SI joint with the prosthesis deployment assembly; the initial advancement of the prosthesis through the drill guide providing consistent, optimal placement of the prosthesis in the dysfunctional SI joint.

Systems are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. The systems include a drill guide adapted to create a pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint through an incision comprising a length no greater than 3.0 cm; portions of the pilot SI joint opening being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. The drill guide includes a tri-mode fixation system adapted to position and stabilize the drill guide during creation of the pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint and delivery of the SI joint prosthesis therein. The systems also include a SI joint prosthesis configured to be inserted into the pilot SI joint opening of the dysfunctional SI joint, and a prosthesis deployment assembly configured to engage the SI joint prosthesis and advance the SI joint prosthesis into the dysfunctional SI joint.

Systems are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. The systems include a drill guide having a bone dislodging member adapted to create a pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint through an incision comprising a length no greater than 3.0 cm; portions of the pilot SI joint opening being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. The drill guide includes a tri-mode fixation system adapted to position and stabilize the drill guide during creation of the pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint and delivery of the SI joint prosthesis therein. The systems also include a SI joint prosthesis configured to be inserted into the pilot SI joint opening of the dysfunctional SI joint, a prosthesis deployment assembly configured to engage the SI joint prosthesis and advance the SI joint prosthesis into the dysfunctional SI joint, and a bone harvesting assembly adapted to extract and collect dislodge bone material from the bone dislodging member after creation of the pilot SI joint opening.

Systems are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. The systems include a drill guide adapted to create a pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint through an incision comprising a length no greater than 3.0 cm; portions of the pilot SI joint opening being disposed in the sacrum and ilium bone structures. The drill guide includes a tri-mode fixation system adapted to position and stabilize the drill guide during creation of the pilot SI joint opening in the dysfunctional SI joint and delivery of the SI joint prosthesis therein. The systems also include a SI joint prosthesis configured to be inserted into the pilot SI joint opening of the dysfunctional SI joint, and a prosthesis deployment assembly configured to engage the SI joint prosthesis and advance the SI joint prosthesis into the dysfunctional SI joint.

Prostheses are described for stabilizing dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joints. The prostheses are sized and configured to be press-fit into surgically created pilot SI joint openings in dysfunctional SI joint structures. The prostheses have a pontoon shape with opposed elongated partially cylindrical sections connected by a bridge section. The partially cylindrical sections and, in some instances, the bridge section have a porous structure.