Abstract: A break-away washer is provided that includes a washer ring, with a first surface and a second surface configured to couple with the body of a fusion implant, positioned at a distal end of the washer. The washer includes at least one lateral tang extending distally from the first surface to engage an area surrounding an implant site and stabilize the washer. The washer also includes at least one guidance tab affixed to the second surface of the washer ring that extends proximally to define a semi-enclosed, columnar structure. Furthermore, the washer includes at least one corresponding break-away connection point that extends proximally from the second surface to couple the guidance tab to the washer ring. Each of the break-away connection points may be separated from the washer ring following implantation to enable removal of each guidance tab while leaving the washer ring positioned at the implant site.

Abstract: A hybrid washer tower is provided that includes a columnar outer wall extending from a distal end to a proximal end. The columnar outer wall defines a hollow barrel that extends from the distal end to the proximal end so that the hollow barrel being at least partially enclosed by the outer wall. The hybrid washer tower also includes at least one lateral tang positioned on and projecting from a terminal portion of the distal end of the outer wall to engage with surrounding bone or tissue. Furthermore, the hybrid washer tower includes an interlock channel defined within the outer wall with an open section positioned at a terminal portion of the proximal end of the outer wall to accept a connection pin positioned on a surgical instrument and direct the movement of the surgical instrument as it progresses through the hollow barrel.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as an intervertebral spacer, may comprise a polymeric component and a metallic component. The metallic component can contain both porous metal and substantially-solid metal. The polymeric material can contain particles of an osseointegrative material. The metallic component can be more protruding toward bone than the polymeric component while having a smaller dimension of roughness than the polymeric component. In embodiments, the pin may press-fit against substantially solid metal. The porous metal may surround solid metal which in turn may surround the pin. The pin may have a press-fit with metal and a looser fit with polymeric component, if the metal components and polymeric components are trapped. A pin may connect superior and inferior metal components by a press-fit. The central opening may be exposed to porous metal and also to substantially-solid metal and to polymer. Specific geometries of implants are disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as an intervertebral spacer, may comprise a polymeric component and a metallic component. The metallic component can contain both porous metal and substantially-solid metal. The polymeric material can contain particles of an osseointegrative material. The metallic component can be more protruding toward bone than the polymeric component while having a smaller dimension of roughness than the polymeric component. In embodiments, the pin may press-fit against substantially solid metal. The porous metal may surround solid metal which in turn may surround the pin. The pin may have a press-fit with metal and a looser fit with polymeric component, if the metal components and polymeric components are trapped. A pin may connect superior and inferior metal components by a press-fit. The central opening may be exposed to porous metal and also to substantially-solid metal and to polymer. Specific geometries of implants are disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as an intervertebral spacer, may comprise a polymeric component and a metallic component. The metallic component can contain both porous metal and substantially-solid metal. The polymeric material can contain particles of an osseointegrative material. The metallic component can be more protruding toward bone than the polymeric component while having a smaller dimension of roughness than the polymeric component. In embodiments, the pin may press-fit against substantially solid metal. The porous metal may surround solid metal which in turn may surround the pin. The pin may have a press-fit with metal and a looser fit with polymeric component, if the metal components and polymeric components are trapped. A pin may connect superior and inferior metal components by a press-fit. The central opening may be exposed to porous metal and also to substantially-solid metal and to polymer. Specific geometries of implants are disclosed.

Abstract: Improved tools and methods of fusing human joints, such as the sacroiliac joint are disclosed. The methods use intra-articular joint fusion device(s) for fixing the articular surfaces relative to one another, The fusion implants may have fixation element(s) for engagement with bone tissue in the articular surfaces of the targeted joint. The present invention includes a novel washer device operable to stabilize instruments and the joint fusion implant.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as an intervertebral spacer, may comprise a polymeric component and a metallic component. The metallic component can contain both porous metal and substantially-solid metal. The polymeric material can contain particles of an osseointegrative material. The metallic component can be more protruding toward bone than the polymeric component while having a smaller dimension of roughness than the polymeric component. In embodiments, the pin may press-fit against substantially solid metal. The porous metal may surround solid metal which in turn may surround the pin. The pin may have a press-fit with metal and a looser fit with polymeric component, if the metal components and polymeric components are trapped. A pin may connect superior and inferior metal components by a press-fit. The central opening may be exposed to porous metal and also to substantially-solid metal and to polymer. Specific geometries of implants are disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as an intervertebral spacer, may comprise a polymeric component and a metallic component. The metallic component can contain both porous metal and substantially-solid metal. The polymeric material can contain particles of an osseointegrative material. The metallic component can be more protruding toward bone than the polymeric component while having a smaller dimension of roughness than the polymeric component. In embodiments, the pin may press-fit against substantially solid metal. The porous metal may surround solid metal which in turn may surround the pin. The pin may have a press-fit with metal and a looser fit with polymeric component, if the metal components and polymeric components are trapped. A pin may connect superior and inferior metal components by a press-fit. The central opening may be exposed to porous metal and also to substantially-solid metal and to polymer. Specific geometries of implants are disclosed.