Surgical tools and methods for accessing a sacroiliac joint via a posterior approach based on sensed electrical characteristics

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems including a cannulated surgical drill tool with electrical conductivity sensing capabilities, and surgical techniques for using such tools in minimally invasive surgical procedures for accessing the SI joint via a posterior approach using an electrical conductivity feedback to facilitate accurate placement into or across the SI joint. For example, the cannulated surgical drill tool may include one or more pairs of electrodes at its distal penetration tip configured to measure electrical conductivity of tissue in contact with the distal tip during a drilling procedure and may emit an alert indicative of the measured electrical conductivity, and accordingly, the type of tissue in contact with the distal tip of the cannulated surgical drill tool, in real-time.