Abstract: A fixation device for graft placement and ligament suspension. The fixation device includes a strand of suture having a first limb and a second limb with a midpoint therebetween. The suture includes a first splice in the first limb and a second splice in the second limb. A first free end of the first limb extends through the second splice, forming a first loop with a diameter. A second free end of the second limb extends through the first splice, forming a second loop with a diameter. Tensioning the first free end reduces the diameter of the first loop and tensioning the second free end reduces the diameter of the second loop. The fixation device may include a button having the first and second limbs of suture woven therethrough such that the first and second free ends extend proximally from the button and the loops extend distally from the button.

Abstract: Systems and methods include causing perturbations across optical spectrum; probing responses across some or all of the optical spectrum after the perturbations; and determining a nonlinear transfer function based on the responses. The nonlinear transfer function can include a representation of any of end-to-end channel powers, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), Noise-to-Signal Ratio (NSR), Bit Error Rate (BER), Q, and Mean Squared Error (MSE).

Abstract: An orthopedic drill bit that is configurable to form a first bone tunnel having a first bore when inserted through a bone and a second, larger bore as the drill is partially withdrawn from bone to produce a reverse counterbore for accepting an anchor. The drill bit has a shaft with a pivotal cutting tip that is movable from a narrow boring configuration into a wider boring configuration. The drill bit has a body enclosing the shaft that is biased into engagement with the cutting tip. Rotation of the body allow a user to move the cutting tip from the narrower bore configuration used to drill a pilot hole into a wider bore configuration used to drill a reverse counterbore for accepting the anchor.

Abstract: A rod reducer assembly is provided. The rod reducer includes a pedicle screw housing defining a rod-receiving passage therethrough. A tab is removably coupled to the pedicle screw housing by a frangible member. An extension is secured to the tab. The extension and the tab are separable from the pedicle screw housing upon application of a threshold force to the frangible member.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing techniques for provisioning optical channels to allow optical networks to operate in an optimal fashion. A method, according to one implementation, includes receiving measured optical performance parameters of a plurality of optical channels transmitted over an optical spectrum between two network elements in an optical line system; determining a performance profile of the optical spectrum based on the measured optical performance parameters; translating the performance profile into configuration information for the two network elements; and causing provisioning of the two network elements based on the configuration information. The measured optical performance parameters are for one or more unassigned optical channels on the optical spectrum, with the measured optical performance parameters being made on one or more optical modems.

Abstract: A system and method for loading a suture construct on a soft tissue graft with a graft assembly. The graft assembly includes a suture construct having a closed end and an open end; a first tail of suture and a second tail of suture positioned adjacent to the open end; a first closed loop positioned at the closed end formed from the first and second tails of suture; a first splice formed by the first tail in the second tail between the closed loop and the open end; a second closed loop formed from the first and second tails of suture between the splice and the open end; and a second splice formed by the first tail in the second tail between the second closed loop and the open end.

Abstract: An organization device for maintaining a suspensory graft fixation device (i.e., an implant and suture) in a desired position. The device includes a substrate having top and bottom edges with first and second panels extending therebetween. The device also includes a first central longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the top edge to the bottom edge between the first and second panels. The first and second panels are foldable about the axis between open and closed positions. The device also includes an opening extending through the bottom edge and into the first panel, and a plurality of top slits and bottom slits. The plurality of top slits includes at least one top slit which is aligned with the first opening. The device additionally includes a tabs adjacent the opening. The slits and tabs are configured to maintain suture of a suspensory graft fixation device in an organized manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing techniques for provisioning optical channels to allow optical networks to operate in an optimal fashion. A method, according to one implementation, includes utilizing a plurality of modems to measure optical performance parameters of a plurality of optical channels of an optical spectrum. Each optical channel is previously unassigned in an unknown optical link system to be commissioned. The modems are arranged within a group for communicating optical signals within the optical spectrum across the unknown optical link system to an unknown far-end network element. The method also includes provisioning the plurality of optical channels based on the measured optical performance parameters to enable data communication between the near-end network element and the far-end network element. Before commissioning, the unknown optical link system does not allow data communication between the near-end network element and the far-end network element.

Abstract: A screw insertion instrument includes a handle, a driving assembly, and a stylet. The driving assembly extends distally from the handle and includes a knob, a tubular body extending distally from the knob, and a driver including an elongated body extending through the knob and the tubular body. The elongated body has a proximal region operably coupled to the handle and a distal region extending distally beyond the tubular body and engageable with a pedicle screw. The stylet includes an elongated body positionable through first and second longitudinal bores defined through the handle and the driver, respectively. A proximal portion of the stylet is positionable adjacent the handle and a distal portion of the stylet extends distally beyond the driver and is positionable through a third longitudinal bore defined through the pedicle screw such that the distal portion of the stylet extends distally beyond the pedicle screw.

Abstract: A system and method for loading a suture construct on a soft tissue graft with a graft assembly. The graft assembly includes a frame with an opening extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The frame has a wall with a first side extending to a first edge and a second side extending to a second edge. A lumen extends between the first side and the second side and a plurality of channels extend through the wall between the first edge and the second edge. The graft assembly also includes a transverse hole extending through the proximal end of the frame and a pin removably inserted into the transverse hole.

Abstract: An organization device for maintaining a suspensory graft fixation device (i.e., an implant and suture) in a desired position. The device includes a substrate having top and bottom edges with first and second panels extending therebetween. The device also includes a first central longitudinal axis extending in a direction from the top edge to the bottom edge between the first and second panels. The first and second panels are foldable about the axis between open and closed positions. The device also includes an opening extending through the bottom edge and into the first panel, and a plurality of top slits and bottom slits. The plurality of top slits includes at least one top slit which is aligned with the first opening. The device additionally includes a tabs adjacent the opening. The slits and tabs are configured to maintain suture of a suspensory graft fixation device in an organized manner.

Abstract: A drill assembly for creating a reverse counterbore bone tunnel while increasing bone preservation. The drill assembly including a housing having an actuation mechanism and a cannulated shaft connected to the actuation mechanism. The drill assembly also includes a rigid rod extending through the cannulated shaft. Engaging the actuation mechanism moves the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod. The drill assembly additionally includes a distal tip connected to the cannulated shaft and the rigid rod. Proximal movement of the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod causes the distal tip to rotate from a first configuration to a second configuration. In the second configuration, the distal tip extends at an angle relative to the cannulated shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods include causing perturbations across optical spectrum; probing responses across some or all of the optical spectrum after the perturbations; and determining a nonlinear transfer function based on the responses. The nonlinear transfer function can include a representation of any of end-to-end channel powers, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), Noise-to-Signal Ratio (NSR), Bit Error Rate (BER), Q, and Mean Squared Error (MSE).

Abstract: A drill bit for bone surface preparation and creation of a shallow pilot hole and a bone anchor. The drill bit includes a shaft extending to a distal end, the distal end having a drill tip, a sharp point extending distally from the drill tip, and a stop extending around the shaft at the drill tip, the stop having one or more cutting edges and a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the shaft. The bone anchor includes a body having at least two opposing openings forming a window extending through the body, an expansion member having a pair of connected and spaced wings, the expansion member extending at least partially into the window in the body, and a fixation mechanism comprising an adjustable loop, the adjustable loop extending between the pair of connected and spaced wings in the window of the body.

Abstract: A drill assembly for creating a reverse counterbore bone tunnel while increasing bone preservation. The drill assembly including a housing having an actuation mechanism and a cannulated shaft connected to the actuation mechanism. The drill assembly also includes a rigid rod extending through the cannulated shaft. Engaging the actuation mechanism moves the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod. The drill assembly additionally includes a distal tip connected to the cannulated shaft and the rigid rod. Proximal movement of the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod causes the distal tip to rotate from a first configuration to a second configuration. In the second configuration, the distal tip extends at an angle relative to the cannulated shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods include responsive to transmission of a power spectral density input into an optical system with one or more probe signals, obtaining first measurements of a performance metric of each of the one or more probe signals at an output of the optical system while the one or more probe signals are moved across a band of optical spectrum; responsive to causing power perturbations across the band, obtaining second measurements of the performance metric of each of the one or more probe signals at the output of the optical system while the one or more probe signals are moved across the band; analyzing the performance metric as a function of power utilizing the first measurements and the second measurements; and utilizing results from the analyzing to optimize the performance metric in the optical system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing techniques for provisioning optical channels to allow optical networks to operate in an optimal fashion. A method, according to one implementation, includes utilizing a plurality of modems to measure optical performance parameters of a plurality of optical channels of an optical spectrum. Each optical channel is previously unassigned in an unknown optical link system to be commissioned. The modems are arranged within a group for communicating optical signals within the optical spectrum across the unknown optical link system to an unknown far-end network element. The method also includes provisioning the plurality of optical channels based on the measured optical performance parameters to enable data communication between the near-end network element and the far-end network element. Before commissioning, the unknown optical link system does not allow data communication between the near-end network element and the far-end network element.

Abstract: A drill guide arm for providing guidance for placement of a bone tunnel, while protecting against trauma. The guide arm includes a first arm at a proximal end connected at an angle to a second arm, the second arm extending to a distal end. The angle can be within the range of 80°-110°. The second arm extends along a first axis. The guide arm also includes a distal tip extending at a second angle from the second arm at the distal end, and an indicator feature extending from the distal tip toward the first arm. The indicator feature extends along a second axis, the second axis being substantially parallel to the first axis. The guide arm can also include a shield feature of the distal tip. The shield feature has a width wider than the remainder of the distal tip.

Abstract: A driver assembly with a rotatable and interchangeable cannulated driver shaft for drilling a variety of fasteners. The driver assembly includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end with a first channel extending from the distal end into the elongated body and a second channel extending from a first side of the elongated body into the elongated body. The driver assembly also includes a locking mechanism connected within the elongated body. The locking mechanism is rotatable between a first configuration and a second configuration. A cannulated driver shaft is removably attached to the locking mechanism and is rotatable between the first configuration and the second configuration via the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods include responsive to transmission of a power spectral density input into an optical system with one or more probe signals, obtaining first measurements of a performance metric of each of the one or more probe signals at an output of the optical system while the one or more probe signals are moved across a band of optical spectrum; responsive to causing power perturbations across the band, obtaining second measurements of the performance metric of each of the one or more probe signals at the output of the optical system while the one or more probe signals are moved across the band; analyzing the performance metric as a function of power utilizing the first measurements and the second measurements; and utilizing results from the analyzing to optimize the performance metric in the optical system.