Abstract: An improved method of connecting body tissue to a bone in a body. The method includes utilizing an anchor with a conical leading end, a trailing end, a central longitudinal axis passing through the leading and trailing ends, at least two suture passages extending through the anchor transverse to the central longitudinal axis, and a length. The leading end of the anchor has a maximum dimension transverse to the central longitudinal axis that is less than a maximum dimension of the trailing end transverse to the central longitudinal axis. The anchor includes at least one of the suture passages having a portion of a suture positioned therein. The method includes advancing the anchor to insert the leading end of the anchor first through an aperture in a cortical layer of the bone to place the entire anchor within cancellous tissue of the bone, wherein the length of the anchor is greater than a width of the aperture.

Abstract: To secure a first body tissue with a second body tissue, a first anchor is moved along a first path through the first body tissue into the second body tissue. A second anchor is moved along a second path through the first body tissue into the second body tissue. A suture extending between the anchors may be tightened by moving the second anchor along a path which extends transverse to the path of the first anchor. The suture which extends between the anchors may have free ends which are connected with a suture retainer. The free ends of the suture may be interconnected either before or after the anchors are moved along the first and second paths. Alternatively, the suture may be a continuous loop which extends between the two anchors. A guide assembly may be provided to guide movement of the anchors along the two paths. The paths along which the anchors move may intersect so that the anchors may be interconnected at the intersection between the two paths.

Abstract: An anchor connected with a suture is moved through a passage between opposite sides of a bone. The anchor is then pivoted to change its orientation. A second anchor is connected with the suture. While tension is maintained in the suture, the suture is secured against movement relative to the anchors. This may be done by tying the suture or by using a suture retainer to hold the suture. A suture retainer may be used in place of the second anchor. The passage may extend across a fracture in the bone. The passage may have either a nonlinear or linear configuration. The passage may be formed by first moving a thin elongated member through the bone. The thin elongated member is then used as a guide for a drill. The thin elongated member is withdrawn from the drill and the suture anchor is moved through a passage in the drill.

Abstract: An implantable device includes a polymeric body and a metallic first mounting strip connected to a trailing end portion of the body. The body has a leading end portion, a first side surface, a second side surface, an upper surface, a lower surface and a central opening extending through the upper and lower surfaces. The central opening has an internal surface with an internal leading surface, a first internal side surface and a second internal side surface. A first depth is defined between the leading end and the internal leading surface, a first spacing is defined between the first side surface and the first internal side surface and a second spacing is defined between the second side surface and the second internal side surface. The first spacing is substantially the same as the second spacing and the first depth is less than the first spacing.

Abstract: A method for unicompartmental knee replacement. Replacement of a medial or lateral compartment may be through a limited incision and patellofemoral replacement may be through the same incision or another incision. An embodiment may include a trochlear implant and medial implant. Implants may be dimensioned and configured so that bone is located between the implants. Implants may be modular, being assembled inside the body or outside the body prior to implantation.

Abstract: A draping system provides a continuous sterile field between a patient incision area and one or more medical practitioners. The draping system has a quick release system incorporated into the drape that enables a medical practitioner to separate from the continuous sterile field without disrupting the sterile field around the practitioner or the patient. The draping system may include an abbreviated practitioner gown, a drain and an integral patient incision area or a flap for extending the continuous sterile field around to one or more additional operating room tables. A modular drape and gown system extends the sterile field beyond the operating table allowing practitioners to couple to the extended field. A tent provides an enclosed sterile field useful in mobile or other non operating room surgical environments. Integral lighting and information displays facilitate field surgical procedures.

Abstract: The relationship between first and second portions of a bone in a patient's body is changed by moving a wedge member into a slot formed in the bone. Force is applied against hard cortical bone by the wedge member. This force pivots the first portion of the bone relative to the second portion of the bone about an axis extending through bone interconnecting the first and second portions of the bone. As the wedge member moves into the bone, a side surface of the wedge member is moved into alignment with an outer side surface of the bone. The wedge member is fixedly connected with the bone. The wedge member is rigid so that the bone can immediately be load bearing. One or more openings may be provided in the wedge member to enable bone to grow through the wedge member. The wedge member may contain a material which promotes growth of bone through the wedge member.

Abstract: A method of preparing a femur and tibia in surgery on a knee joint using a navigation system and a robotic system. The navigation system tracks movement of the femur and tibia during the surgery. The navigation system may include a plurality of locating devices. The robotic system includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool.

Abstract: A method for robotic surgery on a joint using a robotic system and a navigation system. The robotic system includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool. The navigation system tracks movement of bones associated with the joint during the surgery. Information related to tracked positions of the bones is communicated from the navigation system to the robotic system. The navigation system may include a plurality of locating devices.

Abstract: A system for performing surgery on a joint. The system includes a robotic subsystem and a navigation subsystem. The navigation subsystem provides the robotic subsystem, during the surgery, with information relating to positions of the bones associated with the joint thereby enabling separate tracking of the bones when the bones move during the surgery. The robotic subsystem includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool. The navigation subsystem may include a plurality of locating devices.

Abstract: A method for robotic surgery on a joint using a robotic system and a navigation system. The robotic system includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool. The navigation system tracks movement of bones associated with the joint during the surgery. Information related to tracked positions of the bones is communicated from the navigation system to the robotic system. The navigation system may include a plurality of locating devices.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus to secure a suture relative to body tissue. The apparatus includes an at least in part tubular member that has a longitudinal passage that is configured to permit at least a portion of the suture to be received within and extend through the tubular member. The tubular member is formed of a deformable material to permit deformation from a first configuration to second configuration. The second configuration is effective to secure the suture relative to the body tissue.

Abstract: An improved anchor to secure a suture relative to body tissue. The anchor including an a generally cylindrical body portion with an opening, that is at least in part threaded, extending from the trailing end toward the leading end, and a suture passage configured for passing at least a portion of the suture therethrough. The anchor also includes a trapping member that is configured to be threadably inserted into the opening to trap at least a portion of the suture between trapping member and the generally cylindrical body portion.

Abstract: An improved anchor and device to secure a suture relative to bone. The anchor includes a generally cylindrical body portion with an opening extending from the leading end to the trailing end adapted to receive at least a portion of the suture and at least a portion of a tool therein. The anchor also includes at least two projections configured to extend from the anchor when the anchor is deployed in the bone. The anchor is configured to confine at least two suture portions between the body portion and the bone when the anchor is deployed in the bone. The anchor is also configured to have a first maximum dimension transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the body portion, and a greater second maximum dimension transverse to the central longitudinal axis when the anchor is deployed in the bone.

Abstract: A method of preparing a femur and tibia in surgery on a knee joint using a navigation system and a robotic system. The navigation system tracks movement of the femur and tibia during the surgery. The navigation system may include a plurality of locating devices. The robotic system includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool.

Abstract: An anchor for securing a suture relative to bone. The anchor includes a generally cylindrical body portion formed of a first material, a suture passage proximate the trailing end of the generally cylindrical body portion formed of a different second material, and at least one bone engaging projection to engage the anchor to the bone.

Abstract: An improved method and device to secure a suture relative to body tissue. The device includes an outer sleeve with a generally cylindrical outer surface and an opening extending from the leading end to the trailing end adapted to receive at least a portion of the suture therein. The device also includes an inner member configured to be coaxially advanceable within the opening of the outer sleeve. The inner member and outer sleeve are configured to fixedly couple to each other and to trap at least a portion of the suture therebetween after advancement of the inner member within the outer sleeve. The device is also configured to expand from a first maximum dimension transverse to the central longitudinal axis to a second maximum dimension after advancement of the inner member within the outer sleeve.

Abstract: An anchor, formed of at least two different materials, for securing a suture relative to bone. The anchor includes a generally cylindrical body portion having a leading end configured to facilitate insertion of the body portion into the bone; a passage which is oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body portion and proximate the leading end of the body portion; and bone engaging projections to secure the anchor in the bone.

Abstract: A system for performing surgery on a joint. The system includes a robotic subsystem and a navigation subsystem. The navigation subsystem provides the robotic subsystem, during the surgery, with information relating to positions of the bones associated with the joint thereby enabling separate tracking of the bones when the bones move during the surgery. The robotic subsystem includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool. The navigation subsystem may include a plurality of locating devices.

Abstract: A joint replacement kit for use in a joint replacement procedure replacing a portion of a body joint. The kit includes a cutting guide and a trial component wherein the cutting guide and trial component are packaged together. There is also provided a method for replacing a portion of a body joint. The method includes providing a joint replacement kit having a cutting guide and a trial component, positioning the cutting guide against an end portion of a bone, cutting the end portion of the bone with a cutting instrument, positioning the trial component to the cut end portion of the bone, and disposing of the cutting guide and trial component.