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 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: An anchoring system for a knee ligament reconstruction that can secure a graft within a bone tunnel. The anchor system includes an anchor having a tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. A conical head is fixed to the distal end of the tubular body. A series of expandable segments are positioned along the tubular body and moveable along the body into a compacted, deployed position where the segments expand radially to engage the inside of a bone tunnel. A threaded drive member may move the segments to the deployed configuration once the anchor and graft are positioned in the bone tunnel. A drive tool may be used to advance the drive member and can include a moveable shaft that pushes a strike plate out of the rear of the handle to provide an indication whether the anchor has been fully deployed.

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: 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 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: A tenodesis anchor having an anchor member coupled to at least one fiber loop. The anchor member is inserted into a bone and the loop closed about a tendon to be anchored to the bone. Closing the loops additionally deforms the anchor member so that it remains within the bone, thereby securing the tendon trapped in the loop to the bone without the use of a staple.

Abstract: An orthopedic drilling system having a collection chamber positioned between a drill guide and a drill bit proximately to the flute of the drill bit to evacuate debris and swarf from a drilling site. The drill bit may be cannulated to define a throughbore in communication with an irrigation inlet. The drill guide can reciprocate into and out of a hub and be connection to a suction source. The flute of the drill bit may have a first outer diameter that is larger than a second outer diameter of an intermediate portion of the drill bit positioned proximately to the flute to define the chamber between the drill bit and the drill guide. Alternatively, the drill guide may have a first inner diameter positioned about the flute of the drill bit and a second, larger inner diameter proximate to the flute to define the collection chamber.

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 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: A suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of a bone tunnel. A graft supporting loop member formed of a pair of parallel suture limbs extending from a bight portion is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable so the graft ligament can be supported in the bone tunnel at varying distances from the anchor member. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop member, the length of the loop member may be shortened by simply pulling distally on the pair of limbs at one end of the loop member to pull the graft ligament into the bone tunnel a predetermined distance or until it bottoms out at the floor of the bone tunnel. When tension is applied to the loop member by the graft pulling the loop proximally, the bight portion of the suture automatically locks the graft supporting loop member in place.

Abstract: A suture anchor device includes: a suture anchor body; a filament portion connected to the suture anchor body, the filament portion comprising a first working end and a second working end extending from the suture anchor body, wherein: the second working end includes a hole positioned through the second working end; and the first working end is configured to be moveably positioned through the hole from a first side of the second working end to a second side of the second working end.

Abstract: An anchor is provided for placement in or against tissue. The anchor includes a fibrous construct and at least a first filament. Each filament passes through the construct in at least three passing locations including a first location nearest a first end of the construct, a last location nearest a second end of said construct, and at least one intermediate location between said first passing location and said last passing location. In an undeployed state, each filament extends a first length between said first location and said last location. In a deployed state, each filament extends a second length between the first location and the last location. The second length is shorter than said first length.

Abstract: A suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of a bone tunnel. A graft supporting loop member formed of a pair of parallel suture limbs extending from a bight portion is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable so the graft ligament can be supported in the bone tunnel at varying distances from the anchor member. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop member, the length of the loop member may be shortened by simply pulling distally on the pair of limbs at one end of the loop member to pull the graft ligament into the bone tunnel a predetermined distance or until it bottoms out at the floor of the bone tunnel. When tension is applied to the loop member by the graft pulling the loop proximally, the bight portion of the suture automatically locks the graft supporting loop member in place.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the position and length of a bone tunnel, including a first member configured to couple with a drill guide; and a second member in spaced relation to the first member, the second member comprising an indicator configured to provide an indication of thickness of a boney member with the first member disposed on a first side of the boney member and the second member disposed on a second side of the boney member.

Abstract: A guide pin gauge is described for use in measuring the thickness of an object at a particular location. The guide pin gauge includes a distal cutting head, a proximal shank having an outside diameter equivalent to an outside diameter of said distal cutting head, and a reduced diameter portion extending a length between the distal cutting head and the proximal shank. A proximal facing shoulder is provided at a transition between said distal cutting head and said reduced diameter portion. Markings are provided as a scale along said reduced diameter portion. The distal cutting head may be passed entirely through the hole, and displaced to a side such that a distal extent of the hole engages with the proximal facing shoulder. The markings may then be read to determine a distance to the distal extent of the hole.

Abstract: The subject invention is a fixation device or anchor intended to secure a graft ligament or other soft tissue repair. The device is designed to be attached to a graft ligament and to secure the graft within a bone tunnel by extending transversely across the opening of the tunnel. In certain procedures the device is intended to pass through a bone tunnel in an orientation generally aligned with the tunnel and then turn transversely. The device has an inherent tendency to rotate upon exiting the tunnel to thereby become automatically transversely aligned with the tunnel and the graft ligament. The rotation is due to a moment automatically created as a resultant of forces applied to the anchor by a pulling-suture via a laterally offset aperture joining the pulling-suture to the anchor.

Abstract: A guide that facilitates the creation of two bone tunnels for use during a “double bundle” cruciate ligament repair. In the case of an anterior cruciate ligament repair the guide facilitates the formation of two tibial tunnels extending between a single aperture on the anterior tibia and two distinct apertures on the tibial plateau. The guide has a single angled throughbore for guiding a drill bit on a predetermined angle relative to the anterior portion of the tibial tunnel. In an alternative embodiment the guide has two independent and non-intersecting bores which allow the simultaneous placement into the tibial tunnel of two separate guide pins to guide the formation of two tibial tunnels on the tibial plateau.

Abstract: A guide pin gauge is described for use in measuring the thickness of an object at a particular location. The guide pin gauge includes a distal cutting head, a proximal shank having an outside diameter equivalent to an outside diameter of said distal cutting head, and a reduced diameter portion extending a length between the distal cutting head and the proximal shank. A proximal facing shoulder is provided at a transition between said distal cutting head and said reduced diameter portion. Markings are provided as a scale along said reduced diameter portion. The distal cutting head may be passed entirely through the hole, and displaced to a side such that a distal extent of the hole engages with the proximal facing shoulder. The markings may then be read to determine a distance to the distal extent of the hole.

Abstract: An anchor is provided for placement in or against tissue. The anchor includes a fibrous construct and at least a first filament. Each filament passes through the construct in at least three passing locations including a first location nearest a first end of the construct, a last location nearest a second end of said construct, and at least one intermediate location between said first passing location and said last passing location. In an undeployed state, each filament extends a first length between said first location and said last location. In a deployed state, each filament extends a second length between the first location and the last location. The second length is shorter than said first length.