Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical fastener or device (implant) formed in the shape of an arrow comprising a shaft with a proximal (first) portion having a blunt end and tapered form, such that the proximal portion is broad at its blunt end and tapers in the direction of a distal (second) portion of the shaft, the distal portion having protrusions and a pointed end, wherein the tapered form of the proximal portion and the protrusions of the distal portion are configured to lock the implant in a position inside a soft and/or tough tissue according to the use of the implant. The implant may be manufactured of a polymer or a polymeric compound which is substantially (bio)absorbable (resorable) after implantation in tissue and contains an oriented reinforcing structure or the like of a polymer or polymeric compound or ceramic bioactive glass compound.

Abstract: A surgical tissue fixation system is described, including: (1) a bioabsorbable tissue fixation plate having optionally a plurality of through-holes arranged in alternating relation along the plate; (2) bioabsorbable fasteners adapted for insertion into the through-holes to secure the plate to underlying bodily tissue or bone; and (3) an installation instrument which triggers (strikes or shoots) fasteners one after one, in rapid succession, into the through-holes made through the plate and into the underlying bodily tissue or bone, which also optionally includes drillholes.

Abstract: A surgical implant comprising biodegradable polymer interspersed with ceramic particulate that is visible to radioscopy.

Abstract: This invention relates to a material that degrades after implantation into a patient's tissue, and resorbs into the patient's body, which material is manufactured of polymer, copolymer or polymer alloy. The material has a non-crystalline, i.e., amorphous structure and is molecularly oriented and reinforced by mechanical deformation. Further, the material can be formed into surgical devices, such as screws and pins, for implantation into a patient.

Abstract: The device of the present invention is designed for repairing a tear in soft and/or tough tissue of a patient, such as a tear in the meniscus of the knee. The device has a conduit, such as a cannula, that may be easily inserted into the patient and through which the fastener is delivered to the patient. This conduit is aligned with a seat for holding a fastener and the fastener is pushed, e.g., by a piston, from its seat and through the conduit and into the patient. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shape of the conduit exactly matches the shape of the cross-section of the fastener so that the surgeon may more accurately direct the angle and location at which the fastener enters the patient.

Abstract: A one-piece suture anchor for anchoring a suture into a bone comprising an elongated body having proximal and distal ends, the body comprising at least one channel for receiving a suture, the channel comprising two elongated longitudinal guides continuing from the proximal end of the suture anchor towards the distal end of the anchor suture, wherein the guides are connected to each other by a section of channel that is configured such that it is not bent at any given point at an angle greater than or equal to ninety degrees.

Abstract: The Applicants' invention is a bioactive, biocompatible, bioabsorbable surgical composite that is fabricated bioabsorbable polymers, copolymers or polymer alloys that are self-reinforced and contain ceramic particles or reinforcement fibers, and also can be porous. The composite of the invention can be formed into devices like pins, screws, plates, tacks, bolts, intramedullary nails, suture anchors, staples, and many other devices, all of which are useful in bone-to-bone, soft tissue-to-bone or soft tissue-to-soft tissue fixation or in fixation of bioabsorbable and/or biostable implants in or on bone or soft tissue.

Abstract: This invention relates to bioabsorbable multi-layer two-dimensional composite devices and their method of manufacture by spot welding the layers of the device at designated points, which devices can easily be cut into any desirable form by a surgeon during operation on a patient.

Abstract: An at least partially bioabsorbable surgical fastener or device formed in the shape of a screw and washer system and the methods for manufacturing and using the same. The surgical fastener is particularly but not solely intended to be used to attach rotator cuff tendons to bone.

Abstract: This invention describes a rigid layered composite material including a bioabsorbable plate layer and a bioabsorbable web layer for guided bone tissue regeneration, particularly suited for use in the treatment of cranial bone defects.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a flexible, fibrous hernia mesh is provided, which is intended to be implanted to close hernia defects. The mesh has at least two functional components or layers: (1) a rapidly degradable first layer and (2) a more slowly degradable (with respect to the first layer) second layer. Using the fibrous mesh of this invention, the hernia defect can be closed so that a) the second layer supports the area until the scar tissue is strong enough (around 6 months), to prevent recurrent hernia formation, b) while the more rapid degradation of the first layer induces scar tissue formation due to inflammatory reaction, and c) the second layer isolates the first layer from the abdominal cavity, preventing tissue to tissue adhesion onto the intestines. The mesh is placed on the uncovered fascia area with its more rapidly absorbable side (the first layer) towards the fascia.

Abstract: A fixation implant generally includes at least one shaft configured to securely fit into a hole formed in bone. The shaft is of sufficient length relative to the interior diameter of the hole and, in some preferred embodiments, has locking protuberances, like threads, ridges, or barbs, that resist removal of the shaft from the hole in the bone when different types of forces, such as tensile or bending forces, are applied to the implant. The shaft is generally cylindrical in shape, however, in various embodiments, different cross-sections could be used. In a preferred embodiment the implant has a flattened and bent end portion emerging from only one side of the shaft. At the other side of the implant the outer surface of the shaft and the emerging end portion form a smooth surface, without any projections. This smooth surface at the end of the implant prevents irritation of the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: An at least partially bioabsorbable surgical fastener or device formed in the shape of a screw and washer system and the methods for manufacturing and using the same. The surgical fastener is particularly but not solely intended to be used to attach rotator cuff tendons to bone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biodegradable implant or the like manufactured of polymer-based material and intended to be installed in tissue conditions. In the macroscopic structure of the implant two or several zones are created in a manner that the biodegradable polymer-based material has in different zones a different detaching time from the macroscopic structure under tissue conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to body tissue fixation systems, including body tissue fixation hardware comprising biocompatible, bioabsorbable (resorbable) thermoplastic plates, and methods of using those systems and hardware.

Abstract: A tool for installing a suture anchor which supports first and second suture segments having free ends, the tool including an installation end adapted to accommodate the suture anchor and to transmit mechanical power for driving the suture anchor, and a guiding arrangement adapted to guide and support the first and second suture segments in a non-parallel configuration at the installation end. The guiding arrangement may include at least one suture guide adapted to support the first and second suture segments, respectively, at least at a first and a second support points, which are spaced laterally with respect to a direction of installation of the suture anchor.

Abstract: A cylindrical, fibrous, porous joint spacer is provided, having excellent properties, flexibility of formation, and operability, which is intended to be implanted as a prosthesis between bones to be joined together. The joint spacer of the present invention can be formed from a strip of fabric, which is comprised of bioabsorbable fibers and made by a knitting, weaving, non-woven or other technique. The fabric is typically relatively narrow (e.g. 1 to 10 mm wide) and thin (e.g. 0.1 to 1.0 mm thick), depending on the intended application of the prosthetic device to be formed from the fabric. The joint spacer of the present invention is made by wrapping said fabric to yield a cylindrical body; and fixing the free end of the fabric to the surface of the cylindrical body so formed. The joint spacer of the present invention can be implanted in conjunction with one or more fixation parts, to hold the joint spacer in place between the bones to be joined.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable surgical implant for use in supporting soft tissue in a superior position in the body is described. The surgical implant includes a shaft that connects the implant to a bone or hard tissue and a head secured to the shaft. The head of the implant has a concave lower surface so that a suture (or sutures) can easily be wound around the shaft below the head and locked to this position by tightening the head against bone or hard tissue and by pushing or turning the shaft into the bone or hard tissue. The connected shaft and head are formed from a resorbable polymer, copolymer, polymer alloy or composite, which maintains a specified strength for a period of time at least equal to a healing period for the patient. Thereafter, the surgical implant is substantially resorbed by the body over a period of time needed for healing.

Abstract: The device of the present invention is designed for repairing a tear in soft and/or tough tissue of a patient, such as a tear in the meniscus of the knee.The device has a conduit, such as a cannula, that may be easily inserted into the patient and through which the fastener is delivered to the patient. This conduit is aligned with a seat for holding a fastener and a means for pushing a fastener, such as a piston, so that the pushing means is capable of pushing a fastener from its seat, through the conduit and into the patient. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shape of the conduit exactly matches the shape of the cross-section of the fastener so that the surgeon may more accurately direct the angle and location at which the fastener enters the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a joint prosthesis intended to be mounted between two bones to be joined together. The joint prosthesis comprises a spacer part, intended to be placed between the joint surfaces of the bones to be joined. The spacer part is manufactured of biodegradable polymer, co-polymer, polymer mixture and/or composite. The spacer part is, at least under tissue conditions, porous and elastic. The joint prosthesis further comprises fixation parts which are arranged to fix the spacer part to the bones to be joined, and which are manufactured of biodegradable material.