Abstract: A flexible drill bit comprising: a proximal shaft portion for connecting to a source of turning; a distal cutting tip portion for boring into a material; and an intermediate shaft portion extending between the proximal shaft portion and the distal cutting tip portion, the intermediate shaft portion being characterized by (i) sufficient longitudinal flexibility so as to permit the flexible drill bit to be passed along a curve, and (ii) sufficient torsional strength to permit the flexible drill bit to bore into the material. Apparatus for drilling a hole in material, the apparatus comprising: an angled drill guide comprising a curved distal section, a less-curved proximal section, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein the less-curved proximal section comprises a flat extending therealong for reducing the effective diameter of the less-curved proximal section so as to minimize interference between the angled drill guide and the side wall of an access cannula.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing an object to bone, the apparatus comprising: an anchor assembly comprising an anchor and an actuation element extending from the anchor, wherein applying a force to the actuation element when the anchor is disposed in a hole formed in a bone secures the anchor to the bone; and an inserter for deploying the anchor assembly in a hole formed in a bone, the inserter comprising: a shaft for releasably engaging the anchor; and a force delivery mechanism mounted to the shaft and connected to the actuation element, the force delivery mechanism being constructed so as to receive an input force from an external source and to selectively apply an output force to the actuation element, with the force delivery mechanism being constructed so that the magnitude of the output force is limited regardless of the magnitude of the input force.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing an object to bone, the apparatus including an anchor assembly comprising an anchor and an actuation element extending from the anchor, wherein applying a force to the actuation element when the anchor is disposed in a hole formed in a bone secures the anchor to the bone; and an inserter for deploying the anchor assembly in a hole formed in a bone, the inserter including a shaft for releasably engaging the anchor; and a force delivery mechanism mounted to the shaft and connected to the actuation element, the force delivery mechanism being constructed so as to receive an input force from an external source and to selectively apply an output force to the actuation element, with the force delivery mechanism being constructed so that the magnitude of the output force is limited regardless of the magnitude of the input force.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for securing a first object to a second object, including a deformable anchor body, a working suture connected to the anchor body, the working suture including a pre-formed knot, and a repair suture connected to the first object, wherein, with the anchor body connected to the second object and at least one of the anchor body and the working suture connected to the repair suture, the anchor body is adapted to secure within the second object and the working suture and repair suture are adapted to secure to the anchor body to secure the first object to the second object.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing an object to bone, the apparatus comprising: an anchor, the anchor comprising: a body comprising an opening for receiving a filament therein; and a locking element movably mounted to the body for selectively locking the filament to the body; and an inserter for deploying the anchor in bone, the inserter comprising: a handle; an overtube extending distally from the handle; a carriage movably mounted to the handle; a shaft movably mounted within the overtube and connected to the carriage and releasably connected to the body of the anchor, the shaft being hollow; and a rod movably mounted within the shaft and connected to the locking element.

Abstract: A bioactive filamentary structure includes a sheath coated with a mixture of synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution forming a scaffold structure. In forming such a structure, synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution are applied around a filamentary structure. A polymer is precipitated from the polymer solution such that the synthetic bone graft particles and the polymer coat the filamentary structure and the polymer is adhered to the synthetic bone graft particles to retain the graft particles.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a first object to a second object, the apparatus comprising: an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the lumen comprising a distal section and a proximal section, the distal section of the lumen having a wider diameter than the proximal section of the lumen; a window extending through the side wall of the elongated body and communicating with the lumen, the window being disposed in the vicinity of the intersection between the distal section of the lumen and the proximal section of the lumen and being sized to receive a first object therein; an elongated element extending through the lumen of the elongated body, the elongated element comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and a locking element mounted to the distal end of the elongated element and disposed in the distal section of the lumen; whereby, when the elongated body is disposed in a second object, and a first object extends through the windo

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for securing a first object to a second object, including a deformable anchor body, a working suture connected to the anchor body, the working suture including a pre-formed knot, and a repair suture connected to the first object, wherein, with the anchor body connected to the second object and at least one of the anchor body and the working suture connected to the repair suture, the anchor body is adapted to secure within the second object and the working suture and repair suture are adapted to secure to the anchor body to secure the first object to the second object.

Abstract: A bioactive filamentary structure includes a sheath coated with a mixture of synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution forming a scaffold structure. In forming such a structure, synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution are applied around a filamentary structure. A polymer is precipitated from the polymer solution such that the synthetic bone graft particles and the polymer coat the filamentary structure and the polymer is adhered to the synthetic bone graft particles to retain the graft particles.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing an object to bone, the apparatus comprising: an anchor, the anchor comprising: a body comprising an opening for receiving a filament therein; and a locking element movably mounted to the body for selectively locking the filament to the body; and an inserter for deploying the anchor in bone, the inserter comprising: a handle; an overtube extending distally from the handle; a carriage movably mounted to the handle; a shaft movably mounted within the overtube and connected to the carriage and releasably connected to the body of the anchor, the shaft being hollow; and a rod movably mounted within the shaft and connected to the locking element.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing an object to bone, the apparatus comprising an anchor comprising a body comprising a passageway; and a movable element comprising a deformable portion; wherein the deformable portion is configured so that, (i) at a first level of force, the deformable portion restricts proximal movement of the movable element, and (ii) at a second, greater level of force, the deformable portion deforms and permits proximal movement of the movable element.

Abstract: Apparatus for drilling a hole in material, the apparatus comprising: an angled drill guide comprising a curved distal section, a less-curved proximal section, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein the less-curved proximal section comprises a flat extending therealong for reducing the effective diameter of the less-curved proximal section so as to minimize interference between the angled drill guide and the side wall of an access cannula.

Abstract: A flexible drill bit comprising: a proximal shaft portion for connecting to a source of turning; a distal cutting tip portion for boring into a material; and an intermediate shaft portion extending between the proximal shaft portion and the distal cutting tip portion, the intermediate shaft portion being characterized by (i) sufficient longitudinal flexibility so as to permit the flexible drill bit to be passed along a curve, and (ii) sufficient torsional strength to permit the flexible drill bit to bore into the material. Apparatus for drilling a hole in material, the apparatus comprising: an angled drill guide comprising a curved distal section, a less-curved proximal section, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein the less-curved proximal section comprises a flat extending therealong for reducing the effective diameter of the less-curved proximal section so as to minimize interference between the angled drill guide and the side wall of an access cannula.

Abstract: A bioactive filamentary structure includes a sheath coated with a mixture of synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution forming a scaffold structure. In forming such a structure, synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution are applied around a filamentary structure. A polymer is precipitated from the polymer solution such that the synthetic bone graft particles and the polymer coat the filamentary structure and the polymer is adhered to the synthetic bone graft particles to retain the graft particles.

Abstract: A bioactive filamentary structure includes a sheath coated with a mixture of synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution forming a scaffold structure. In forming such a structure, synthetic bone graft particles and a polymer solution are applied around a filamentary structure. A polymer is precipitated from the polymer solution such that the synthetic bone graft particles and the polymer coat the filamentary structure and the polymer is adhered to the synthetic bone graft particles to retain the graft particles.

Abstract: A flexible drill bit including a proximal shaft portion for connecting to a source of turning; a distal cutting tip portion for boring into a material; and an intermediate shaft portion extending between the proximal shaft portion and the distal cutting tip portion, the intermediate shaft portion being characterized by (i) sufficient longitudinal flexibility so as to permit the flexible drill bit to be passed along a curve, and (ii) sufficient torsional strength to permit the flexible drill bit to bore into the material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for distracting tissue and particularly spinal tissue. The device and method may include insertion of at least one elongated member and an augmenting member to form a structure between the tissues to be distraction, such that a dimensional aspect of the structure is augmented upon movement of the augmenting structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing an object to bone, the apparatus comprising: an anchor assembly comprising an anchor and an actuation element extending from the anchor, wherein applying a force to the actuation element when the anchor is disposed in a hole formed in a bone secures the anchor to the bone; and an inserter for deploying the anchor assembly in a hole formed in a bone, the inserter comprising: a shaft for releasably engaging the anchor; and a force delivery mechanism mounted to the shaft and connected to the actuation element, the force delivery mechanism being constructed so as to receive an input force from an external source and to selectively apply an output force to the actuation element, with the force delivery mechanism being constructed so that the magnitude of the output force is limited regardless of the magnitude of the input force.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a first object to a second object, the apparatus comprising: an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the lumen comprising a first section and a second section, the first section of the lumen being disposed distal to the second section of the lumen, and with the first section of the lumen having a wider diameter than the second section of the lumen; at least one longitudinally-extending slit extending through the side wall of the elongated body and communicating with the lumen, the at least one longitudinally-extending slit having a distal end and a proximal end, with the distal end of the at least one longitudinally-extending slit being spaced from the distal end of the elongated body; and an elongated element extending through the lumen of the elongated body.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for distracting tissue and particularly spinal tissue. The device and method may include insertion of at least one elongated member and an augmenting member to form a structure between the tissues to be distraction, such that a dimensional aspect of the structure is augmented upon movement of the augmenting structure.