Abstract: A positioning member may be released to move an anchor member to a holding position. The positioning member being operable to be held in a selected orientation until the anchor member is in a selected position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a surgery, especially an ACL replacement surgery, where a flexible strand insertion rod co-operates with a U-Guide apparatus to insert a flexible strand into a tunnel formed in a bone portion and to guide a pair of drill points to form a pair of tunnels transversely to the tunnel of the insertion rod. The drill points are guided through the insertion rod and the flexible strand is held over the drill points as the transverse tunnels are formed. The insertion rod is then removed from the tunnels formed in the bone and the flexible strand is held looped over the second drill point. Subsequently, a soft tissue replacement is affixed to one end of the flexible strand and pulled over up to the first drill point with the other end of the flexible strand. The first drill point is then used to pull a cross pin through the transverse tunnel to hold the looped end of the soft tissue replacement in place.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.

Abstract: A rotator cuff buttress plate adapted to support a load from at least one suture used in securing a rotator cuff relative to a humerus. The rotator cuff buttress plate includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a sidewall and a plurality of apertures. The inner surface is adapted to engage an outer portion of a humerus. The outer surface is opposite the inner surface and is adapted to support the load from at least one suture. The sidewall is positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface. The suture is passed through the at least one aperture to distribute the suture load over the buttress plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.

Abstract: A drill guide for determining the site for and drilling a tunnel in a tibia during an anterior cruciate ligament replacement procedure and method for using same are also disclosed. The drill guide utilizes a multiple-point anatomical reference system for determining the most favorable position for the tibial tunnel, based on isometry, freedom from impingement and desired ACL-PCL interaction. The drill guide further utilizes a removable guide bar to provide visual alignment of the drill guide relative to the coronal plane of the knee joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for abrading tissue during arthroscopic surgery includes a first rotatable tube assembly and a second tube assembly. The first rotatably tube assembly has a first proximal end and a first distal end with an abrading head at the first distal end. The second tube assembly has a second proximal end and a second distal end with an external aspiration port passing through a sidewall of the second tube assembly. The apparatus further includes a self-cleaning mechanism which is operable to self-clean the aspiration port in the apparatus to pass fluid and debris.

Abstract: A drill guide for determining the site for and drilling a tunnel in a tibia during an anterior cruciate ligament replacement procedure and method for using same are also disclosed. The drill guide utilizes a multiple-point anatomical reference system for determining the most favorable position for the tibial tunnel, based on isometry, freedom from impingement and desired ACL-PCL interaction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel and partially within an entrance opening of the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing endoscopic surgical procedures within an internal body cavity. The apparatus includes an imaging unit for viewing the internal body cavity. In addition, the apparatus includes an intra-articular unit for providing a flow of fluid into the internal body cavity as well as for controllably withdrawing fluid from the internal body cavity. The apparatus further includes a cart which allows electrical intercommunication between the imaging unit and the intra-articular unit whereby the operation of the imaging unit and the intra-articular unit are interdependent.

Abstract: A distracting cannula is provided which includes a first penetrating member having a first end and a second end. The first penetrating member has an internal surface providing a through bore operative to receive an elongated surgical instrument. The first penetrating member has an external gripping surface disposed between the first and second ends that is provided by a helical thread. A generally conical shroud has an open end for contacting the patient's skin. An opposite end of the shroud is attached to the first penetrating member near the second end. The first penetrating member first end is inserted into a portal incision of the patient's body until the shroud open end contacts the patient's skin. Torquing the tissue distracting cannula further caused the tissue gripping surface of the first penetrating member to pull the surrounding tissue upward into a cavity created by the shroud.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that dynamically seals the collet of a high-speed surgical or dental drill from the ingress of contaminating substances with which the tool or collet of the drill comes into contact, such as blood, saliva, saline, tissue, bone chips, and tooth particles. The dynamic seal comprises an impeller and a bearing that rotatably supports both the impeller and a surgical tool; furthermore, the seal may be disposed within a burguard that is mounted on the distal end of a surgical drill. The spinning impeller has a disc portion that imparts a centrifugal force to the flow of contaminating substances and thereby pumps the flow entering through the tool opening radially outward through discharge holes in the burguard housing. The dynamic seal further includes an O-ring for sealing against the tool shaft and blocking the contaminating substances from continuing up the tool bore and into the collet of the surgical drill. A backring retains the O-ring in place.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing endoscopic surgical procedures within an internal body cavity. The apparatus includes an imaging unit for viewing the internal body cavity. In addition, the apparatus includes an intra-articular unit for providing a flow of fluid into the internal body cavity as well as for controllably withdrawing fluid from the internal body cavity. The apparatus further includes a cart which allows electrical intercommunication between the imaging unit and the intra-articular unit whereby the operation of the imaging unit and the intra-articular unit are interdependent.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has an elongate support shaft, a tip assembly permanently attached to the shaft, a cutting jaw which opens in a backward facing direction and which is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the support shaft, and a rod extending coaxially with the elongate support shaft for applying closing and opening forces to the cutting jaw. The tip assembly comprises a stationary portion and a movable portion having respective tissue cutting edges which define the cutting jaw. The stationary portion of the tip assembly is permanently attached to the distal end of the support shaft, and the movable portion of the tip assembly is pivotally attached to a distal end of the stationary portion. The stationary portion of the tip assembly has a plurality of cutting edges which define an opening which extends axially adjacent the longitudinal axis of the support shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has an elongate support shaft, a tip assembly permanently attached to the shaft, a cutting jaw which opens in a backward facing direction and which is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the support shaft, and a rod extending coaxially with the elongate support shaft for applying closing and opening forces to the cutting jaw. The tip assembly comprises a stationary portion and a movable portion having respective tissue cutting edges which define the cutting jaw. The stationary portion of the tip assembly is permanently attached to the distal end of the support shaft, and the movable portion of the tip assembly is pivotally attached to a distal end of the stationary portion. The stationary portion of the tip assembly has a plurality of cutting edges which define an opening which extends axially adjacent the longitudinal axis of the support shaft.

Abstract: A drilling system for ACL reconstruction including: a first drill guide having an aimer member with a notched top surface for mating with the roof of the intercondylar notch; a positioning member having a removable drill guide sleeve; and a second drill guide including a second aimer member with a curved tip and a top notch. The positioning member can be placed on both drill guides for properly positioning the drill guide sleeve for the drilling of both the tibia and the femur.

Abstract: A noninvasive method and apparatus is presented for detecting and analyzing joint disorders utilizing an acoustic signal processing technique. The diagnostic procedure and apparatus graphically correlates joint induced sound patterns relative to the joint position in time and space thereby providing a quantitative approach for the diagnosis of specific joint disorders. The present invention, termed Arthrophonometry, is particularly well suited for differential diagnosis of the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint.