Abstract: A button inserter apparatus for the insertion of a surgical button includes an inserter handle and an elongated inserter shaft connected at one end to the inserter handle. An inserter head is connected to the inserter shaft at an end opposite to the inserter handle. The inserter head includes opposing engagement projections for engaging and retaining a surgical button there between. One of the engagement projections is longitudinally movable relative to the other of the engagement projections. A button engage and release assembly extends from the inserter handle to the inserter head, and selectively prevents relative longitudinal movement between the engagement projections, and selectively permits relative movement of the engagement projections and thereby release of the surgical button. The engage and release assembly is operable from the inserter handle to cause relative longitudinal movement of the engagement projections and release of the surgical button.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical drill guide includes an elongated drill jig having at least one drill guide opening for defining a location and drill element guide axis for placement of a surgical drill element. The drill jig can have an engagement end with engagement structure. A positioning arm includes an elongated shaft with an axis and a locating end portion shaped to engage a bony part of a patient. The elongated shaft can have engagement structure for engaging to the engagement structure of the drill jig to support the drill jig crosswise relative to the position arm and to support the drill guide opening of the drill jig at a location remote from the axis of the elongated shaft of the positioning arm. The drill jig can be detachable from the positioning arm. A method for minimally invasive surgical drilling is also disclosed.

Abstract: An orthopedic attachment system includes a first bone anchor, a second bone anchor, and a flexible connector. The flexible connector is connected between the first bone anchor and the second bone anchor. The flexible connector includes a sliding loop, a tensioning end and a fixed end. The sliding loop is connected to a sling loop bone anchor, and the fixed end is connected to the fixed end bone anchor. The tensioning end is slidably connected and lockable to the fixed end. A flexible connector, a method for attaching a flexible connector between at least two bone anchors in a patient's body, and a method of making a flexible connector are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite medical textile such as a suture includes a plurality of bioresorbable hyaluronan-based fibers and a plurality of non-resorbable fibers. The hyaluronan-based fibers can include at least one of hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, or the esters of hyaluronic acid such as the benzyl esters. The non-resorbable fibers can be Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), and other materials. Methods of making a medical textile are also disclosed.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical drill guide includes an elongated drill jig having at least one drill guide opening for defining a location and drill element guide axis for placement of a surgical drill element. The drill jig can have an engagement end with engagement structure. A positioning arm includes an elongated shaft with an axis and a locating end portion shaped to engage a bony part of a patient. The elongated shaft can have engagement structure for engaging to the engagement structure of the drill jig to support the drill jig crosswise relative to the position arm and to support the drill guide opening of the drill jig at a location remote from the axis of the elongated shaft of the positioning arm. The drill jig can be detachable from the positioning arm. A method for minimally invasive surgical drilling is also disclosed.

Abstract: A button inserter apparatus for the insertion of a surgical button includes an inserter handle and an elongated inserter shaft connected at one end to the inserter handle. An inserter head is connected to the inserter shaft at an end opposite to the inserter handle. The inserter head includes opposing engagement projections for engaging and retaining a surgical button there between. One of the engagement projections is longitudinally movable relative to the other of the engagement projections. A button engage and release assembly extends from the inserter handle to the inserter head, and selectively prevents relative longitudinal movement between the engagement projections, and selectively permits relative movement of the engagement projections and thereby release of the surgical button. The engage and release assembly is operable from the inserter handle to cause relative longitudinal movement of the engagement projections and release of the surgical button.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical drill guide includes an elongated drill jig having at least one drill guide opening for defining a location and drill element guide axis for placement of a surgical drill element. The drill jig can have an engagement end with engagement structure. A positioning arm includes an elongated shaft with an axis and a locating end portion shaped to engage a bony part of a patient. The elongated shaft can have engagement structure for engaging to the engagement structure of the drill jig to support the drill jig crosswise relative to the position arm and to support the drill guide opening of the drill jig at a location remote from the axis of the elongated shaft of the positioning arm. The drill jig can be detachable from the positioning arm. A method for minimally invasive surgical drilling is also disclosed.

Abstract: A button inserter apparatus for the insertion of a surgical button includes an inserter handle and an elongated inserter shaft connected at one end to the inserter handle. An inserter head is connected to the inserter shaft at an end opposite to the inserter handle. The inserter head includes opposing engagement projections for engaging and retaining a surgical button there between. One of the engagement projections is longitudinally movable relative to the other of the engagement projections. A button engage and release assembly extends from the inserter handle to the inserter head, and selectively prevents relative longitudinal movement between the engagement projections, and selectively permits relative movement of the engagement projections and thereby release of the surgical button. The engage and release assembly is operable from the inserter handle to cause relative longitudinal movement of the engagement projections and release of the surgical button.

Abstract: An orthopedic attachment system includes a first bone anchor, a second bone anchor, and a flexible connector. The flexible connector is connected between the first bone anchor and the second bone anchor. The flexible connector includes a sliding loop, a tensioning end and a fixed end. The sliding loop is connected to a sling loop bone anchor, and the fixed end is connected to the fixed end bone anchor. The tensioning end is slidably connected and lockable to the fixed end. A flexible connector, a method for attaching a flexible connector between at least two bone anchors in a patient's body, and a method of making a flexible connector are also disclosed.

Abstract: An orthopedic attachment system includes a first bone anchor, a second bone anchor, and a flexible connector. The flexible connector is connected between the first bone anchor and the second bone anchor. The flexible connector includes a sliding loop, a tensioning end and a fixed end. The sliding loop is connected to a sling loop bone anchor, and the fixed end is connected to the fixed end bone anchor. The tensioning end is slidably connected and lockable to the fixed end. A flexible connector, a method for attaching a flexible connector between at least two bone anchors in a patient's body, and a method of making a flexible connector are also disclosed.

Abstract: A button inserter apparatus for the insertion of a surgical button includes an inserter handle and an elongated inserter shaft connected at one end to the inserter handle. An inserter head is connected to the inserter shaft at an end opposite to the inserter handle. The inserter head includes opposing engagement projections for engaging and retaining a surgical button there between. One of the engagement projections is longitudinally movable relative to the other of the engagement projections. A button engage and release assembly extends from the inserter handle to the inserter head, and selectively prevents relative longitudinal movement between the engagement projections, and selectively permits relative movement of the engagement projections and thereby release of the surgical button. The engage and release assembly is operable from the inserter handle to cause relative longitudinal movement of the engagement projections and release of the surgical button.

Abstract: A button inserter apparatus for the insertion of a surgical button includes an inserter handle and an elongated inserter shaft connected at one end to the inserter handle. An inserter head is connected to the inserter shaft at an end opposite to the inserter handle. The inserter head includes opposing engagement projections for engaging and retaining a surgical button there between. One of the engagement projections is longitudinally movable relative to the other of the engagement projections. A button engage and release assembly extends from the inserter handle to the inserter head, and selectively prevents relative longitudinal movement between the engagement projections, and selectively permits relative movement of the engagement projections and thereby release of the surgical button. The engage and release assembly is operable from the inserter handle to cause relative longitudinal movement of the engagement projections and release of the surgical button.

Abstract: An orthopedic attachment system includes a first bone anchor, a second bone anchor, and a flexible connector. The flexible connector is connected between the first bone anchor and the second bone anchor. The flexible connector includes a sliding loop, a tensioning end and a fixed end. The sliding loop is connected to a sling loop bone anchor, and the fixed end is connected to the fixed end bone anchor. The tensioning end is slidably connected and lockable to the fixed end. A flexible connector, a method for attaching a flexible connector between at least two bone anchors in a patient's body, and a method of making a flexible connector are also disclosed.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical drill guide includes an elongated drill jig having at least one drill guide opening for defining a location and drill element guide axis for placement of a surgical drill element. The drill jig can have an engagement end with engagement structure. A positioning arm includes an elongated shaft with an axis and a locating end portion shaped to engage a bony part of a patient. The elongated shaft can have engagement structure for engaging to the engagement structure of the drill jig to support the drill jig crosswise relative to the position arm and to support the drill guide opening of the drill jig at a location remote from the axis of the elongated shaft of the positioning arm. The drill jig can be detachable from the positioning arm. A method for minimally invasive surgical drilling is also disclosed.

Abstract: A button inserter apparatus for the insertion of a surgical button includes an inserter handle and an elongated inserter shaft connected at one end to the inserter handle. An inserter head is connected to the inserter shaft at an end opposite to the inserter handle. The inserter head includes opposing engagement projections for engaging and retaining a surgical button there between. One of the engagement projections is longitudinally movable relative to the other of the engagement projections. A button engage and release assembly extends from the inserter handle to the inserter head, and selectively prevents relative longitudinal movement between the engagement projections, and selectively permits relative movement of the engagement projections and thereby release of the surgical button. The engage and release assembly is operable from the inserter handle to cause relative longitudinal movement of the engagement projections and release of the surgical button.

Abstract: An insert-molded suture anchor having a biodegradable polymer body molded around a loop of suture. A drive head disposed on the proximal end of the body, and a screw thread spirals around the body. The suture is held securely within the anchor body by forming irregularities in the braided suture used to form the anchor. The anchor is produced by placing the braided suture within an injection mold, and injecting biodegradable polymer into the mold.

Abstract: A cannulated screw anchor extractor with a clear plastic outer sheath allows backing out of the screw anchor from bone into the inner cannulation of the clear, plastic sheath. The threads of the screw anchor purchase the inner cannulation of the sheath to secure the anchor for removal from within the body and avoid screw loss in soft tissue during extraction.