Abstract: A device for deploying a staple into desired bone has a staple guide for retaining a bone staple and a spring-loaded plunger shaft having a distal end proximal to the bone staple, the plunger shaft being retained in a proximal orientation by a latch. Depressing an actuator releases the latch, so that the plunger shaft moves to its distal position, striking the staple and deploying the staple distally into a bone site. An additional method step, in the event that one wishes to deploy a differently sized staple, involves detaching the staple guide from the device and attaching a differently-sized staple guide to the device. In order to avoid inadvertent deployment of the staple, a safety cover may be provided, in which case a further method step involves removing a safety cover from the device prior to the depressing step.

Abstract: A system for repairing separated body tissues includes a tensioning device comprising two proximal handles for grasping, a pair of movable distal tensioning tips, a pivot between the proximal handle and distal tensioning tips, and suture holding clamps proximal to the tensioning tips. The tensioning device is used in conjunction with a buckle with lock bars and a tensioning tab for securing and tensioning suture. The tensioning tab is provided to secure the lock bar in its first position until tension on the suture exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A system for repairing separated body tissues includes a tensioning device having a movable housing, a pair of stationary tensioning tips distal to and attached to the movable housing, and suture tensioning jaws on a proximal end of the movable housing. The tensioning jaws are pivotable between open and closed orientations. A buckle is provided for securing and tensioning suture and the like, having a first plate, a second plate spaced from the first plate so that there is a gap between the first and second plates, and a lock bar within the gap and movable between a first position wherein suture may be freely passed through the gap as tensioning of the suture proceeds, and a second locking position wherein the suture is clamped in place within the gap. A tension tab is provided for securing the lock bar in its first position until tension on the suture exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A tensioning device comprises an elongate member, preferably a band, and a frame having first and second sides. The band has a first end that is attachable to the first side of the frame and a second end that is releasably securable to the second side of the frame. A movable clamping member on the frame secures the second end of the band to the second side of the frame by cinching the second end of the band between an engagement surface on the band and a mating engagement surface on the second side of the frame. A restraining member is provided for restraining the clamping member to a first position spaced from the mating locking surface on the second side of the frame, when the restraining member is in a restraining orientation. The restraining member is movable out of the restraining orientation after the band is tensioned to a predetermined level using the second end.

Abstract: A tensioning device comprises an elongate member, preferably a band, and a frame having first and second sides. The band has a first end that is attachable to the first side of the frame and a second end that is releasably securable to the second side of the frame. A movable clamping member on the frame secures the second end of the band to the second side of the frame by cinching the second end of the band between an engagement surface on the band and a mating engagement surface on the second side of the frame. A restraining member is provided for restraining the clamping member to a first position spaced from the mating locking surface on the second side of the frame, when the restraining member is in a restraining orientation. The restraining member is movable out of the restraining orientation after the band is tensioned to a predetermined level using the second end.

Abstract: A dynamic tissue holding device for dynamically holding two tissue portions in contact with one another includes a resilient body having a spring and a band arranged for extending about the tissue portions to be held together. The band has a first end for attachment to a first attachment portion on the resilient body and a second end for attachment to a second attachment portion on the resilient body. Stops are disposed on portions of the resilient body for limiting both the compression and expansion of the spring. The compression of the spring is limited by engagement of two of the stops with one another and the expansion of the spring is limited by engagement of at least one of the stops with the spring.

Abstract: A surgical tensioning device for holding separated tissues in contact with one another. The device comprises a frame having two opposing first and second sides and a lower surface and an upper surface, and a band for extending through and around said separated tissues to be held together in conjunction with said frame. The band has two ends releasably attached to the sides of the frame. When the ends are secured to the sides of the frame, the band holds separated tissues together and establishes a path of tension along its length that extends linearly between the two ends of the band.

Abstract: A tensioning device comprises an elongate member, preferably a band, and a frame having first and second sides. The band has a first end that is attachable to the first side of the frame and a second end that is releasably securable to the second side of the frame. A movable clamping member on the frame secures the second end of the band to the second side of the frame by cinching the second end of the band between an engagement surface on the band and a mating engagement surface on the second side of the frame. A restraining member is provided for restraining the clamping member to a first position spaced from the mating locking surface on the second side of the frame, when the restraining member is in a restraining orientation. The restraining member is movable out of the restraining orientation after the band is tensioned to a predetermined level using the second end.

Abstract: A surgical tensioning device for dynamically holding two tissue portions in contact with one another comprises a resilient body having a plurality of spring elements, and a plurality of stop members for limiting travel of the spring elements in order to control energy stored or delivered by the spring elements. A length of suture is also provided, wherein a first end of the suture is connected to the resilient body at a first attachment point and a second end of the suture is connected to the resilient body at a second attachment point. In one embodiment, the stop members contact one another to limit compression of the spring elements. When the suture is placed in tension, the spring elements move to an extended configuration and the stop members move apart, creating gaps between ends of each of the stop members.

Abstract: A surgical tensioning device for holding separated tissues in contact with one another. The device comprises a frame having two opposing first and second sides and a lower surface and an upper surface, and a band for extending through and around said separated tissues to be held together in conjunction with said frame. The band has two ends releasably attached to the sides of the frame. When the ends are secured to the sides of the frame, the band holds separated tissues together and establishes a path of tension along its length that extends linearly between the two ends of the band.

Abstract: A tensioning device comprises an elongate member, preferably a band, and a frame having first and second sides. The band has a first end that is attachable to the first side of the frame and a second end that is releasably securable to the second side of the frame. A movable clamping member on the frame secures the second end of the band to the second side of the frame by cinching the second end of the band between an engagement surface on the band and a mating engagement surface on the second side of the frame. A restraining member is provided for restraining the clamping member to a first position spaced from the mating locking surface on the second side of the frame, when the restraining member is in a restraining orientation. The restraining member is movable out of the restraining orientation after the band is tensioned to a predetermined level using the second end.

Abstract: A dynamic tissue holding device for dynamically holding two tissue portions in contact with one another includes a resilient body having a spring and a band arranged for extending about the tissue portions to be held together. The band has a first end for attachment to a first attachment portion on the resilient body and a second end for attachment to a second attachment portion on the resilient body. Stops are disposed on portions of the resilient body for limiting both the compression and expansion of the spring. The compression of the spring is limited by engagement of two of the stops with one another and the expansion of the spring is limited by engagement of at least one of the stops with the spring.

Abstract: A method for repairing separated tissues utilises a tissue tensioner including a locking member, a band, a frame, and a restraining member. One end of the band is attached to a first end of the frame. Tension is applied to the band so that it moves freely between spaced engaging surfaces on the locking bar and a second end of the frame, while a restraining member restrains the locking member to a non-engaging position. Application of a predetermined level of tension on the band causes the restraining member to move to a non-restraining orientation, thereby in turn causing the locking member to move so that its engaging surfaces engage the engaging surfaces of the frame, clamping the band. An alarm is triggered to notify a practitioner that the predetermined level of tension has been achieved and that the restraining member has thus moved to the non-restraining orientation.

Abstract: A tensioning device comprises an elongate member, preferably a band, and a frame having first and second sides. The band has a first end that is attachable to the first side of the frame and a second end that is releasably securable to the second side of the frame. A movable clamping member on the frame secures the second end of the band to the second side of the frame by cinching the second end of the band between an engagement surface on the band and a mating engagement surface on the second side of the frame. A restraining member is provided for restraining the clamping member to a first position spaced from the mating locking surface on the second side of the frame, when the restraining member is in a restraining orientation. The restraining member is movable out of the restraining orientation after the band is tensioned to a predetermined level using the second end.

Abstract: A dynamic tissue holding device is disclosed for dynamically holding two tissue portions in contact with one another. The device comprises a biasing spring having a relatively low profile, and a band adapted for extending about the tissue portions to be held together. The band has a first end for attachment to a first attachment portion on the biasing spring and a second end for attachment to a second attachment portion on the biasing spring. The band establishes a path of tension along its length and extending linearly between the two ends of the band. Advantageously, more than one-half of the biasing spring is disposed outside of the path of tension when the dynamic tissue holding device is in place and holding the two tissue portions together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and techniques for securing bone segments across a fracture site, and more particularly relates to bone staples for achieving compression between segments. A method and apparatus for interosseous bone fixation uses a compression staple, generally U-shaped, having a pair of legs with proximal ends interconnected by a bridge portion that is resilient and bowed, the staple having an initial configuration and capable of a tensioned configuration by spreading apart the legs by a certain amount causing the curvature of the bowed bridge to lessen and the legs to move towards each other with certain compressive spring force.

Abstract: Two spaced bodily tissues are approximated with a surgical tensioning device comprising a resilient member and a pressure locking device. The method comprises a step of routing one end of a length of suture through both spaced bodily tissues and inserting the suture end into and through the pressure locking device. The suture is then tensioned by pulling on the suture end passing through the pressure locking device. Responsive to tension changes in the suture, the pressure locking device is actuated by moving at least one surface in the pressure locking device to clamp the suture in position.

Abstract: A surgical tensioning device for holding separated tissues in contact with one another. The device comprises a frame having two opposing first and second sides and a lower surface and an upper surface, and a band for extending around said separated tissues to be held together in conjunction with said frame. The band has two ends attached to the sides of the frame releasably. When the ends are secured to the sides of the frame, the band establishes a path of tension along its length that extends linearly between the two ends of the band.

Abstract: A system for repairing separated body tissues includes a tensioning device having a movable housing, a pair of stationary tensioning tips distal to and attached to the movable housing, and suture tensioning jaws on a proximal end of the movable housing. The tensioning jaws are pivotable between open and closed orientations. A buckle is provided for securing and tensioning suture and the like, having a first plate, a second plate spaced from the first plate so that there is a gap between the first and second plates, and a lock bar within the gap and movable between a first position wherein suture may be freely passed through the gap as tensioning of the suture proceeds, and a second locking position wherein the suture is clamped in place within the gap. A tension tab is provided for securing the lock bar in its first position until tension on the suture exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A surgical tensioning device for dynamically holding two tissue portions in contact with one another comprises a resilient member having a plurality of extending portions which are spaced from one another and are capable of resiliently moving toward and away from one another. A plurality of attachment points are provided on the resilient member, for attaching a securing member, such as suture or a surgical screw, thereto. A spacer member is placeable between the plurality of extending portions to retain the extending portions at a fixed distance from one another, and is removable from between the plurality of extending portions after the securing members are in place so that said tension is transferred from the spring to the suture or other securing members. The result is an ability to hold two tissues in a state of compression beyond that which is commonly and consistently achieved with the hand tying of sutures.