Abstract: A bioabsorbable implantable device for replacing sutures in construction of a composite graft in ligament replacement surgery. In certain embodiments the device has a female component and a male component where the female component receives and secures the male component. In other embodiments the components of the device are in the shape of a rivet or a staple. The bioabsorbable implantable devices can be used for securing tendon grafts to bone blocks and for holding together the fibers of the tendon graft when the bone-tendon-bone graft is inserted into a patient during surgery. The bioabsorbable implantable device may also be part of a package for use in surgery. The package includes a sterile container for holding at least a graft that is of a predetermined length and width. The package may also include bone blocks. The package is marked as to the graft size including the width and the length of the graft. The graft and the bone blocks may be autogenous, allogenic or constructed from man-made materials.

Abstract: A surgical screwdriver for inserting bone screws in bone tunnels in ligament reconstruction has, in a preferred embodiment, a cannulated flexible shaft portion. The flexible shaft portion is formed by a plurality of linkage members disposed in series. Each linkage member is joined to an adjacent linkage member so as to permit adjacent linkage members to be pivotally movable with respect to one another about a pivot axis. The screwdriver is used in methods of arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction including the steps of introducing the screwdriver along a guide wire through a portal that is offset from the longitudinal axis of a bone tunnel and driving an interference screw mounted on the driver in the bone tunnel to fixate a bone block in the bone tunnel.

Abstract: A surgical screw driver for inserting bone screws in bone tunnels in ligament reconstruction has, in a preferred embodiment, a rotatable operating shaft disposed at an angle to a drive shaft. A mechanism is on the drive shaft for retaining a bone screw. Methods of arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction include the steps of introducing a surgical screw driver through a portal that is offset from the longitudinal axis of a bone tunnel and driving a bone screw mounted on the driver in the bone tunnel to fixate a bone block in the bone tunnel.

Abstract: A method of inserting a guide pin into tissue including inserting into the tissue a device having a cannula disposed longitudinally therein, a shank, and a tip. A guide pin movably disposed in the cannula and having a shank end proximal to the shank of the drill bit and a tip proximal to the tip of the drill bit. A retaining means associated with at least one of the drill bit and the guide pin for permitting the releasable retention of the guide pin in the cannula by means of adjustable force exerted on the guide pin by the drill bit.

Abstract: A bone block drill guide and a method for preparing a bone plug and tendon graft in which the bone block drill guide is used in drilling a hole through the bone plug. A harvested bone plug and tendon graft is inserted into a trough in a bone block drill guide. A drill bit is inserted through a hole in a drill guide member to accurately drill a hole in the bone plug supported in the trough below. The bone block drill guide may have a plurality of troughs of different widths. A drill guide member has a hole therethrough for guiding a drill bit. The drill guide member is aligned with a trough so that the hole in the guide member is aligned with the hole in the bottom surface of the trough.