Abstract: Tools for positioning an implant into the sacroiliac joint. A directional cannula includes a main body having a bore that receives the implant. A cut-out, allowing access to the joint, is formed in a leading end of the main body. A pair of parallel prongs extend from the leading end of the main body in transversely spaced apart relation to one another. A drill guide has a main body of rectangular transverse cross-section and a cylindrical head formed integrally with the main body. A transverse width-reducing step is formed in the main body near its distal end. First and second bores are formed in the cylindrical head and in the main body. Both bores are eccentric relative to the drill guide longitudinal axis of symmetry. The drill guide is rotated 180° after first and second drilling operations, prior to third and fourth drilling operations.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a gap between adjacent, spaced apart bony elements includes an adjustable length interconnecting member having a distal and a proximal retention plate secured to opposite ends of the interconnecting member. The distal retention plate has a non-rotated position and a plurality of rotated positions. The non-rotated position aligns the distal retention plate with the gap prior to and during insertion of the distal retention plate into the gap. The distal retention plate is rotated after it has exited the gap on a distal side of the gap to prevent its return into the gap. The proximal retention plate is misaligned with the gap so that it cannot enter into the gap. The rotated distal retention plate cooperates with the proximal retention plate to hold bony elements such as adjacent vertebral bodies in a stable relationship to one another when the interconnecting member is shortened.

Abstract: Tools for positioning an implant into the sacroiliac joint. A directional cannula includes a main body having a bore that receives the implant. A cut-out, allowing access to the joint, is formed in a leading end of the main body. A pair of parallel prongs extend from the leading end of the main body in transversely spaced apart relation to one another. A drill guide has a main body of rectangular transverse cross-section and a cylindrical head formed integrally with the main body. A transverse width-reducing step is formed in the main body near its distal end. First and second bores are formed in the cylindrical head and in the main body. Both bores are eccentric relative to the drill guide longitudinal axis of symmetry. The drill guide is rotated 180° after first and second drilling operations, prior to third and fourth drilling operations.

Abstract: A method for fusing a spinal sacroiliac joint and a surgical kit. The kit includes a bone-void filler, stabilization device or implant, a guide pin, a joint locator, a set of dilation tubes, a reamer, a novel directional cannula, a novel tapping cap, a novel drill guide, a drill bit, and a novel implant positioner. The method includes the steps of locating the sacroiliac joint, retracting the soft tissue exposing the graft site, removing any bone obstructions and preparing a relatively smooth graft site horizontal to the immediate sacroiliac joint, creating a cavity in the ilium and sacrum to a predetermined depth that spans the sacroiliac joint, inserting a novel stabilization implant into the cavity, and seating the implant within the cavity at a predetermined depth.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a gap between adjacent, spaced apart bony elements includes an adjustable length interconnecting member having a distal and a proximal retention plate secured to opposite ends of the interconnecting member. The distal retention plate has a non-rotated position and a plurality of rotated positions. The non-rotated position aligns the distal retention plate with the gap prior to and during insertion of the distal retention plate into the gap. The distal retention plate is rotated after it has exited the gap on a distal side of the gap to prevent its return into the gap. The proximal retention plate is misaligned with the gap so that it cannot enter into the gap. The rotated distal retention plate cooperates with the proximal retention plate to hold bony elements such as adjacent vertebral bodies in a stable relationship to one another when the interconnecting member is shortened.

Abstract: A spinal fusion implant has a parallelepiped main body with a rotatably mounted retention plate secured to its distal end. The distal retention plate has a first position co-planar with the main body and a second, deployed position normal to the plane of the main body. The distal retention plate is in the first position when the main body is inserted between adjacent vertebral bodies and is in the second position after the main body is inserted between adjacent vertebral bodies. In further embodiments, a proximal retention plate is permanently deployed in normal relation to the main body or both the distal and proximal retention plates are rotatably mounted and both are deployed co-planar to the main body before insertion and normal to the main body after insertion.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a gap between adjacent, spaced apart bony elements includes an adjustable length interconnecting member having a distal and a proximal retention plate secured to opposite ends of the interconnecting member. The distal retention plate has a non-rotated position and a plurality of rotated positions. The non-rotated position aligns the distal retention plate with the gap prior to and during insertion of the distal retention plate into the gap. The distal retention plate is rotated after it has exited the gap on a distal side of the gap to prevent its return into the gap. The proximal retention plate is misaligned with the gap so that it cannot enter into the gap. The rotated distal retention plate cooperates with the proximal retention plate to hold bony elements such as adjacent vertebral bodies in a stable relationship to one another when the interconnecting member is shortened.

Abstract: A spinal fusion implant has a parallelepiped main body with a rotatably mounted retention plate secured to its distal end. The distal retention plate has a first position co-planar with the main body and a second, deployed position normal to the plane of the main body. The distal retention plate is in the first position when the main body is inserted between adjacent vertebral bodies and is in the second position after the main body is inserted between adjacent vertebral bodies. In further embodiments, a proximal retention plate is permanently deployed in normal relation to the main body or both the distal and proximal retention plates are rotatably mounted and both are deployed co-planar to the main body before insertion and normal to the main body after insertion.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a gap between adjacent, spaced apart bony elements includes an adjustable length interconnecting member having a distal and a proximal retention plate secured to opposite ends of the interconnecting member. The distal retention plate has a non-rotated position and a plurality of rotated positions. The non-rotated position aligns the distal retention plate with the gap prior to and during insertion of the distal retention plate into the gap. The distal retention plate is rotated after it has exited the gap on a distal side of the gap to prevent its return into the gap. The proximal retention plate is misaligned with the gap so that it cannot enter into the gap. The rotated distal retention plate cooperates with the proximal retention plate to hold bony elements such as adjacent vertebral bodies in a stable relationship to one another when the interconnecting member is shortened.

Abstract: A method for fusing a spinal sacroiliac joint and a surgical kit. The kit includes a bone-void filler, stabilization device or implant, a guide pin, a joint locator, a set of dilation tubes, a reamer, a novel directional cannula, a novel tapping cap, a novel drill guide, a drill bit, and a novel implant positioner. The method includes the steps of locating the sacroiliac joint, retracting the soft tissue exposing the graft site, removing any bone obstructions and preparing a relatively smooth graft site horizontal to the immediate sacroiliac joint, creating a cavity in the ilium and sacrum to a predetermined depth that spans the sacroiliac joint, inserting a novel stabilization implant into the cavity, and seating the implant within the cavity at a predetermined depth.

Abstract: Tools for positioning an implant into the sacroiliac joint. A directional cannula includes a main body having a bore that receives the implant. A cut-out, allowing access to the joint, is formed in a leading end of the main body. A pair of parallel prongs extend from the leading end of the main body in transversely spaced apart relation to one another. A drill guide has a main body of rectangular transverse cross-section and a cylindrical head formed integrally with the main body. A transverse width-reducing step is formed in the main body near its distal end. First and second bores are formed in the cylindrical head and in the main body. Both bores are eccentric relative to the drill guide longitudinal axis of symmetry. The drill guide is rotated 180° after first and second drilling operations, prior to third and fourth drilling operations.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a gap between adjacent, spaced apart bony elements includes an adjustable length interconnecting member having a distal and a proximal retention plate secured to opposite ends of the interconnecting member. The distal retention plate has a non-rotated position and a plurality of rotated positions. The non-rotated position aligns the distal retention plate with the gap prior to and during insertion of the distal retention plate into the gap. The distal retention plate is rotated after it has exited the gap on a distal side of the gap to prevent its return into the gap. The proximal retention plate is misaligned with the gap so that it cannot enter into the gap. The rotated distal retention plate cooperates with the proximal retention plate to hold bony elements such as adjacent vertebral bodies in a stable relationship to one another when the interconnecting member is shortened.

Abstract: A method for fusing a spinal sacroiliac joint and a surgical kit. The kit includes a bone-void filler, stabilization device or implant, a guide pin, a joint locator, a set of dilation tubes, a reamer, a novel directional cannula, a novel tapping cap, a novel drill guide, a drill bit, and a novel implant positioner. The method includes the steps of locating the sacroiliac joint, retracting the soft tissue exposing the graft site, removing any bone obstructions and preparing a relatively smooth graft site horizontal to the immediate sacroiliac joint, creating a cavity in the ilium and sacrum to a predetermined depth that spans the sacroiliac joint, inserting a novel stabilization implant into the cavity, and seating the implant within the cavity at a predetermined depth.

Abstract: Tools for positioning an implant into the sacroiliac joint. A directional cannula includes a main body having a bore that receives the implant. A cut-out, allowing access to the joint, is formed in a leading end of the main body. A pair of parallel prongs extend from the leading end of the main body in transversely spaced apart relation to one another. A drill guide has a main body of rectangular transverse cross-section and a cylindrical head formed integrally with the main body. A transverse width-reducing step is formed in the main body near its distal end. First and second bores are formed in the cylindrical head and in the main body. Both bores are eccentric relative to the drill guide longitudinal axis of symmetry. The drill guide is rotated 180° after first and second drilling operations, prior to third and fourth drilling operations.

Abstract: A method for fusing a spinal sacroiliac joint and a surgical kit. The kit includes a bone-void filler, stabilization device or implant, a guide pin, a joint locator, a set of dilation tubes, a. reamer, a novel directional cannula, a novel tapping cap, a novel drill guide, a drill bit, and a novel implant positioner. The method includes the steps of locating the sacroiliac joint, retracting the soft tissue exposing the graft site, removing any bone obstructions and preparing a relatively smooth graft site horizontal to the immediate sacroiliac joint, creating a cavity in the ilium and sacrum to a predetermined depth that spans the sacroiliac joint, inserting a novel stabilization implant into the cavity, and seating the implant within the cavity at a predetermined depth.

Abstract: A method for fusing a spinal sacroiliac joint The method includes the steps of locating the sacroiliac joint, retracting the soft tissue to expose the graft site, removing any bone obstructions and preparing a relatively smooth graft site horizontal to the immediate sacroiliac joint, creating a therapeutic cavity by creating a first cavity in the ilium and a second cavity in the sacrum to a predetermined depth that spans the sacroiliac joint, inserting a stabilization implant into the therapeutic cavity, and seating the implant within the therapeutic cavity at a predetermined depth.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a gap between adjacent, spaced apart bony elements includes an adjustable length interconnecting member having a distal and a proximal retention plate secured to opposite ends of the interconnecting member. The distal retention plate has a non-rotated position and a plurality of rotated positions. The non-rotated position aligns the distal retention plate with the gap prior to and during insertion of the distal retention plate into the gap. The distal retention plate is rotated after it has exited the gap on a distal side of the gap to prevent its return into the gap. The proximal retention plate is misaligned with the gap so that it cannot enter into the gap. The rotated distal retention plate cooperates with the proximal retention plate to hold bony elements such as adjacent vertebral bodies in a stable relationship to one another when the interconnecting member is shortened.

Abstract: A method for fusing a spinal sacroiliac joint and a surgical kit. The kit includes a bone-void filler, stabilization device or implant, a guide pin, a joint locator, a set of dilation tubes, a reamer, a novel directional cannula, a novel tapping cap, a novel drill guide, a drill bit, and a novel implant positioner. The method includes the steps of locating the sacroiliac joint, retracting the soft tissue exposing the graft site, removing any bone obstructions and preparing a relatively smooth graft site horizontal to the immediate sacroiliac joint, creating a cavity in the ilium and sacrum to a predetermined depth that spans the sacroiliac joint, inserting a novel stabilization implant into the cavity, and seating the implant within the cavity at a predetermined depth.

Abstract: A spinal facet fusion implant includes an elongated main body having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The main body has a cross-sectional profile characterized by a primary axis and a secondary axis. At least one stabilizer extends radially outwardly from the main body in the secondary axis. The main body has a length along the primary axis that is less than the combined width of the spinal facets making up a facet joint. The stabilizer has a width that is sized to make a press fit into the gap between the spinal facets making up a facet joint.

Abstract: A spinal fusion implant has a parallelepiped main body with a rotatably mounted retention plate secured to its distal end. The distal retention plate has a first position co-planar with the main body and a second, deployed position normal to the plane of the main body. The distal retention plate is in the first position when the main body is inserted between adjacent vertebral bodies and is in the second position after the main body is inserted between adjacent vertebral bodies. In further embodiments, a proximal retention plate is permanently deployed in normal relation to the main body or both the distal and proximal retention plates are rotatably mounted and both are deployed co-planar to the main body before insertion and normal to the main body after insertion.