Abstract: A drill assembly for creating a reverse counterbore bone tunnel while increasing bone preservation. The drill assembly including a housing having an actuation mechanism and a cannulated shaft connected to the actuation mechanism. The drill assembly also includes a rigid rod extending through the cannulated shaft. Engaging the actuation mechanism moves the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod. The drill assembly additionally includes a distal tip connected to the cannulated shaft and the rigid rod. Proximal movement of the cannulated shaft along the rigid rod causes the distal tip to rotate from a first configuration to a second configuration. In the second configuration, the distal tip extends at an angle relative to the cannulated shaft.

Abstract: A suture passer for use in arthroscopic soft tissue repair procedures. The suture passer includes a cannulated needle having a distal tip. A post is slidable within the cannulated needle. A snare is slidable within the cannulated needle between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the snare extends from the distal tip of the cannulated needle and in the retracted position, the snare extends around the post. The suture passer may have a handle extending proximally from the cannulated needle. In use, suture is passed through an open region between the snare and the post in the extended position. As the snare and, in some cases, the post, are retracted, the snare extends around the post and closes the open region, trapping the suture between the snare and the post in a closed region.

Abstract: A drill guide for controlling the first metacarpal while maintaining the proper trajectory of the drill. The drill guide includes a guide rail having an elongated shaft and a guide body with an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture is configured to receive the elongated shaft of the guide rail. The drill guide also includes a distal ring connected to the elongated shaft. A spike and a hook are both attached to the distal ring and extend therefrom. The hook and the spike extend from opposing positions along the distal ring. A trigger end of the guide body has a trigger that, when actuated, allows the guide body to slide along the guide rail in a proximal direction. A drilling end of the guide body has a rotatable drill bullet extending distally therefrom. The drill bullet includes a pair of arms lined with teeth for engaging the first metacarpal.

Abstract: An obturator assembly with a rotatable and cannulated obturator shaft for inserting a cannula into a human joint space. The obturator assemblies includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end with a channel extending along an inner surface of the elongated body. The obturator assembly also includes a locking mechanism connected within the elongated body. The locking mechanism is rotatable between a first configuration and a second configuration. A cannulated obturator shaft is attached to the locking mechanism and is rotatable between the first configuration and the second configuration via the locking mechanism. The obturator assembly has a latch assembly connected to the cannulated obturator shaft which is rotatable between the first configuration and second configuration via the locking mechanism. The latch assembly securely and removably attaches to a cannula.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system is disclosed which includes a housing having a front end and a rear end and defining a first interior flow path extending downstream from a first inlet at the rear end of the housing to a first outlet at the front end of the housing, and a second interior flow path extending upstream from a second inlet at the front end the housing to a second outlet at the rear end of the housing, a first pleated filter element operatively associated with the first interior flow path, a second pleated filter element operatively associated with the second interior flow path, and a carbon filter disc operatively associated with the second interior flow path and positioned adjacent a downstream side of the second pleated filter element.

Abstract: A sheathed blade assembly for minimizing or preventing contact between the moving interior blade and the exterior sheath. The assembly includes an exterior sheath having a first portion and second portion with an inner lumen therebetween, an interior blade movable within the inner lumen of the exterior sheath, a first pocket within a first surface of the interior blade, and a first ball bearing within the first pocket. The first ball bearing creates a clearance amount between the first surface of the interior blade and the first portion of the exterior sheath. The assembly may also include a second pocket within a second surface of the interior blade for a second ball bearing. The second ball bearing creates a clearance amount between the second surface of the interior blade and the second portion of the exterior sheath. The second pocket is in a staggered configuration relative to the first pocket.

Abstract: A suture passing drill for passing suture through bone. The suture passing drill includes a proximal end and a distal end with an elongated shaft extending therebetween. The elongated shaft has first portion with a first diameter. The drill also includes a wire loop extending from the proximal end of the elongated shaft and a drill tip at the distal end of the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft has a narrow portion with a second diameter, which is smaller than the first diameter. The narrow portion is positioned proximally adjacent relative to the drill tip. The narrow portion is preferably created through coining. Coining prevents the need for machining the outer diameter (or surface) of the elongated shaft proximal to the drill tip in order to create a larger drill tip. The larger drill tip of the suture passing drill allows for passage of the entire drill through the bone hole.

Abstract: A knot pusher for quickly loading suture without needing to thread a distal end. The knot pusher includes an actuator housing having an actuator moveable between an open position and a closed position and an elongated tube extending from the actuator housing. The knot pusher includes at least two slots, a gate slot extending through the elongated tube and a suture loading slot extending through the elongated tube and traversing the gate slot. A moveable gate cross bar is connected to the actuator such that the gate cross bar moves with the actuator between the open position and the closed position. When the actuator is in the closed position, the gate cross bar extends through at least a portion of the suture loading slot. The knot pusher may also include an ergonomic loop handle that enforces the correct orientation of the knot pusher for use.

Abstract: A medical positioning apparatus including a telescopic member extending between first and second ends and having an adjustable length; a support member for receiving an object; a base member securable to a base; a first joint mechanism movably securing the support member to the first end of the telescopic member; a second joint mechanism including a housing with a top portion directly rotationally connected to the second end of the telescopic member, and at least one side portion directly rotationally connected to the base member and movably securing the base member to the second end of the telescopic member, a locking device operatively connected to the first and second joint mechanisms and the telescopic member, the locking device operable between a locked position and a released position; and a lock activation device to unlock the locking device biased in the locked position.

Abstract: A system and method for completing one or more stitches without withdrawal and reloading of an inserter. A suture passer includes a distal end having a body with a gripping portion and a suture holding portion. The gripping portion and the suture holding portion are spaced, defining a recess in the body therebetween. A tube of the gripping portion extends toward the suture holding portion and maintains a needle therein. The needle is slidable within the tube between a retracted position and an extended position. The needle has a notch at its distal end for catching and securing a limb of suture. In the retracted position, the distal end of the needle is within the tube of the gripping portion and in the extended position, the distal end of the needle extends into the suture holding portion.

Abstract: A blocking valve assembly for a surgical gas delivery device is disclosed, which includes a valve body supporting a plurality of pneumatically actuated pistons, each piston mounted for independent movement within a respective piston cylinder between a first position blocking a respective gas passage communicating with a filter cartridge to facilitate a leak test of the gas delivery device and a second position permitting gas flow through the gas passage communicating with the filter cartridge to facilitate a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An anchor inserter including an inserter tube extending along a longitudinal axis having a proximal inserter end and a distal inserter end. The inserter also includes an inserter tip attached to and extending distally from the distal inserter end. The inserter tip has a proximal tip end and a distal tip end with a suture anchor retention slot extending through the distal tip end. The inserter has one or more cutting edges extending at least a partially along an outer perimeter edge of the distal tip end. The distal tip end has a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is substantially straight and the second arm is curved.

Abstract: A suture cleating system for arthroscopic or endoscopic cannula to facilitate suture management while preserving seal functionality. The suture cleating system includes an end cap with an aperture extending therethrough and one or more cleats extending therefrom. A cannula body extends distally from the end cap. A seal is connected between the cannula body and the end cap. The seal has a seal slit extending therethrough and the seal slit is substantially aligned with the aperture of the end cap. In use, a suture extends through the cannula, the seal slit, and the aperture in the end cap. The suture can be tensioned from the aperture in the end cap and secured in a suture slot between two cleats.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a housing, an outer shaft extending from the housing along a longitudinal axis, an inner shaft extending within the outer shaft along the longitudinal axis, a rotator knob position about the outer shaft, and a tube stop coupling the rotator knob to the outer shaft for collective rotation about the longitudinal axis and fixed within the housing against movement along the longitudinal axis. The tube stop has a pair of bearing surfaces that extend into a pair of longitudinal tracks of the outer shaft, and the rotator knob includes a pair of rails that extend into the pair of tracks of the outer shaft and block the tube stop exiting the tracks. The tube stop is captured between a pair of ribs in the housing to hold the tube stop in place while allowing the rotator knob to rotate the outer shaft.

Abstract: An all-suture anchor for attaching soft tissue to bone while creating an interference fit within a bone hole, and a deployment device for the all-suture anchor. The all-suture anchor includes an anchor body having first and second ends. The second end is folded toward the first end, creating a looped distal end of the anchor body, while the first and second ends of the anchor body form a proximal end. The anchor body is composed of a first material having a first density. A passing filament, of a second (different) density, is woven through the anchor body at passing locations such that a pair of free ends of the passing filament extends from the proximal end of the anchor body. The all-suture anchor additionally includes a binding filament bound axially at the proximal end of the anchor body around the first end and the second end of the anchor body.

Abstract: An endoscopic visualization system including an endoscopic subsystem comprising: an endoscope having an optical channel and an illumination channel; an image sensor operatively coupled to receive light from the optical channel; and a solid-state light source operatively coupled to transmit light through the illumination channel; at least one electrical cable extending from the endoscopic subsystem; and a monitor subsystem comprising: a frame defining an inner compartment; a display screen; and at least one port configured to receive the at least one electrical cable connected to the endoscopic subsystem.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating the position and length of a bone tunnel, including a first member configured to couple with a drill guide; and a second member in spaced relation to the first member, the second member comprising an indicator configured to provide an indication of thickness of a boney member with the first member disposed on a first side of the boney member and the second member disposed on a second side of the boney member.

Abstract: A portal saver device for installing a flexible cannulated tube at a surgical site. A portal saver device includes an obturator. The obturator has an obturator body having a cannulated outer obturator tube extending therethrough. The outer obturator tube has a distal tip with a dilating assembly movable between a collapsed, first configuration and an expanded, second configuration. A shaft expander has a cannulated inner obturator tube, which is movable between a first position and a second position within the outer obturator tube. In the first position, the inner obturator tube is retracted from the distal tip of the outer obturator tube and the dilating assembly is in the first configuration. In the second position, the inner obturator tube is advanced within the distal tip of the outer obturator tube and the dilating assembly is in the second configuration.

Abstract: A protective device for maintaining the sterilization of a self-drilling anchor inserter and prohibiting the sharp, drilling point of the inserter from puncturing sterile packaging. The device includes a cannulated tube having a proximal end and a distal end. The cannulated tube extends along a longitudinal axis and has proximal and distal portions. The proximal portion extends to the proximal end and the distal portion extends to the distal end. The cannulated tube also has an inner volume. A first slot extends into the inner volume and along the proximal portion toward the proximal end. A second slot extends partially into the cannulated tube between the proximal portion and the distal portion. A connecting portion attaches the proximal portion to the distal portion. The proximal portion is movable relative to the distal portion, between an aligned position and a bent position.

Abstract: An insufflator is disclosed for delivering surgical gas from a gas source to a patient's body cavity during a surgical procedure, which includes an electrically variable safety valve adapted and configured to prevent over-pressurization of the patient's body cavity during the surgical procedure by venting the surgical gas in the patient's body cavity to atmosphere when a cracking pressure of the variable safety valve is exceeded.