Fixation implant and method of insertion

Abstract

An implant includes an implantable portion and a housing. The implantable portion has a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank has a solid outer surface and defines a radius of curvature. The housing is pivotally and rotatably coupled to the head and is configured to secure a rod to the implantable portion. The housing is fixed relative to the implantable portion when a rod is secured within the housing.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of fixing two bony elements relative to one another, the method comprising:
 inserting an implantable portion of an implant into a curved drilled hole defined in two bony elements of a patient, the implant including:
 the implantable portion including a head and a shank extending from the head, the shank defining a radius of curvature, the shank having a solid outer surface; and 
 a housing pivotally and rotatably coupled to the head; and 
   permitting bone growth of the bony elements to secure the implantable portion within the curved drilled hole and to fuse the two bony elements to one another.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising fixing the housing relative to the implant. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising securing a rod in the housing of the implant. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 drilling the curved drilled hole in a first bony element and into a second bony element with a drilling apparatus, the drilling apparatus including:
 a drill guide assembly including a guide shaft, side guides, and a curved guide, the guide shaft defining a drill channel and the side guides defining a guide slot in communication with the drill channel, the curved guide slidably disposed within the guide slot; and 
 a drill shaft assembly including a proximal portion and a flexible distal portion, the drill shaft assembly slidably and rotatably disposed within the drill channel, the curved guide deflecting the flexible distal portion as the drill shaft assembly advances through the drill guide assembly such that the flexible distal portion defines a curved path. 
   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein drilling the curved drilled hole includes coupling the curved guide to the flexible distal portion. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein drilling the curved drilled hole includes advancing the drill shaft assembly through the drill channel of the drill guide assembly such that the flexible distal portion defines a curved path. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein advancing the drill shaft assembly includes steering the flexible distal portion along the curved path with the curved guide. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising selecting a curved guide with a radius of curvature substantially equal to a radius of curvature of the shank of the implant, wherein the radius of curvature of the curved guide defines the curved path of the drilled hole.