Abstract: A graft ligament strand tensioner includes a frame member for slidingly retaining loops of sutures extending from graft ligament strands. The tensioner further includes a collar portion, and is provided with a handle having a core portion on which the collar portion is disposed for axial movement, and a grip portion. The tensioner still further includes a spherical member connected to the handle and having rounded surfaces facing the collar portion. The collar portion is tiltingly movable on the spherical member rounded surfaces when manipulation of the handle, to pull sutures on the frame member taut, causes the collar portion to engage the spherical member rounded surfaces. The sliding retention of the sutures and the tilting movement of the collar portion provide substantial equalization of tension in the sutures and thereby the graft ligament strands.

Abstract: A graft ligament strand tensioner includes a frame member for slidingly retaining loops of sutures extending from graft ligament strands. The tensioner further includes a collar portion, and is provided with a handle having a core portion on which the collar portion is disposed for axial movement, and a grip portion. The tensioner still further includes a spherical member connected to the handle and having rounded surfaces facing the collar portion. The collar portion is tiltingly movable on the spherical member rounded surfaces when manipulation of the handle, to pull sutures on the frame member taut, causes the collar portion to engage the spherical member rounded surfaces. The sliding retention of the sutures and the tilting movement of the collar portion provide substantial equalization of tension in the sutures and thereby the graft ligament strands.

Abstract: This discloses an orthopedic surgical device or system that may be used to reconstruct soft tissue, such as tendons and ligaments, within the knee or other parts of the body. More particularly, the device may be used to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament. Components of the device required for the reconstruction procedure are typically assembled as a unit outside the knee, and are introduced into a preformed bone tunnel as that unit. Components of the system and use of the system and its components are also described.

Abstract: The invention describes a graft suspension device 2 for suspending a ligament in a bone hole. The suspension device 2 comprises a first loop 4 and second loop 6 suspended from an anchor 8 and has a cradle 10 at the opposite end of the loop to the anchor. Ligament grafts (not shown) are looped over the cradle 10 and loose ends 30,32 may be pulled by finger loops 22, 24 whereby the surgeon can adjust the distance of the cradle 10 from the anchor 8 thereby tensioning the grafts as desired.

Abstract: A device for anchoring an end of an elongated tensile flexible element guided along a tunnel provided through the bones of a joint for reconstruction of a ligament, comprising a female element, which defines an internal thread and can be inserted in the tunnel, and a male element, which defines an external thread and is suitable to be screwed with play into the female element so as to secure the elongated element between the internal and external threads.

Abstract: The device for conditioning an organic ligament to be implanted, in particular a ligament as a cruciate ligament replacement, is equipped with a first and with a second receiving element for receiving and tensioning the ligament at two distanced locations, wherein the first receiving element is connected to means for the periodic, and with respect to the ligament, translatoric adjustment of the first receiving element.

Abstract: The invention describes a graft suspension device 2 for suspending a ligament in a bone hole. The suspension device 2 comprises a first loop 4 and second loop 6 suspended from an anchor 8 and has a cradle 10 at the opposite end of the loop to the anchor. Ligament grafts (not shown) are looped over the cradle 10 and loose ends 30,32 may be pulled by finger loops 22, 24 whereby the surgeon can adjust the distance of the cradle 10 from the anchor 8 thereby tensioning the grafts as desired.

Abstract: A suture loop is formed in a hollow braided suture by feeding one end of a length of suture through a part in the braid of the suture and into the inner lumen formed by the hollow braid. The braided configuration of the suture allows it to be expanded in diameter by pushing and reduced in diameter by pulling. Said end of suture is passed continuously through said inner lumen forming a loop of suture with a single tail. The loop may be tightened by pulling on said first end of the suture while pushing on said outer hollow braid. The loop may be locked by extending or pulling on said outer hollow braid to reduce its diameter and lock it down around said first end of the suture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an anterior cruciate ligament ex vivo. The method comprises seeding pluripotent stem cells in a three dimensional matrix, anchoring the seeded matrix by attachment to two anchors, and culturing the cells within the matrix under conditions appropriate for cell growth and regeneration, while subjecting the matrix to one or more mechanical forces via movement of one or both of the attached anchors. Bone marrow stromal cells are preferably used as the pluripotent cells in the method. Suitable matrix materials are materials to which cells can adhere, such as a gel made from collagen type I. Suitable anchor materials are materials to which the matrix can attach, such as Goinopra coral and also demineralized bone. Optimally, the mechanical forces to which the matrix is subjected mimic mechanical stimuli experienced by an anterior cruciate ligament in vivo.

Abstract: A bone plug anchoring device is provided for anchoring at least one graft to a bone. The bone plug anchoring devices comprises a plug and a locking element. The plug has a hollow passageway and a flange portion which extends radially out from the plug. The locking element is adapted to cooperate with the flange portion so that, when the locking element is locked to the flange portion while the graft(s) is (are) sandwiched between the locking element and the flange portion, the graft (or grafts) remains (or remain) anchored to the plug. The bone plug anchoring device is particularly well-suited for anchoring a hamstring tendon graft to a tibia after passing through a femur. The present invention also provides a method for anchoring at least one graft to a first bone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for attaching a ligament graft to the inside of a bone passage from a proximal location, the device including (1) a non-expansible ring having an interior passage through which the ligament graft may extend, the ring sized to fit within the bone passage; (2) a radially expansible gripping member sized to enter the ring and to press the ligament outwardly against the interior surface of the ring; and (3) an expander coupled to the expansible gripping member, constructed to expand the expansible gripping member to grip the ligament against the ring.

Abstract: Linear block polymer having a molecular weight of at least 104 Dalton, comprising urea and urethane groups and ester groups at such a distance from each other that after hydrolysis of these ester groups fragments are created which are so small that they are biologically degradable and can be excreted from a human body and further including an end group selected from primary NH2 and OH groups, which can be substituted by a monoamine. The polymers are intended to be used as implants.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixing element for connecting a ligament to a bone part of a human or animal. The fixing element includes a hollow, substantially cylindrical element fixable in a continuous opening in the bone part, and an engaging element for the ligament anchorable in the cylindrical element at least at two mutually differing axial positions.