Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring suture to bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a cannulated suture anchor is provided and it includes a suture-engaging member formed therein and configured to receive a suture therearound such that trailing ends of the suture can extend through the suture anchor. The suture anchor can also include at least a proximal portion having dual threads to facilitate engagement with bone. The present invention also provides exemplary sutures and drivers that can be used with the various methods and devices disclosed herein, or with other methods and devices known in the art.

Abstract: Suture constructs and methods are provided for securing soft tissue to bone. One exemplary embodiment of a construct includes a first limb, a second limb, a coaxial region, and a collapsible snare defined by the first and second limbs. The coaxial region can be formed by a portion of the second limb being disposed in a volume of the first limb, which allows for a low profile construct that is useful in various soft tissue repair procedures. The construct can be configured to be disposed in tissue to draw the tissue toward bone, and the coaxial region can be deconstructed so that the first and second limbs can be used to help secure the desired location of the tissue with respect to the bone. Various features of the construct and methods for using the same in a surgical procedure are also provided.

Abstract: A suture passing mechanism is disclosed having an elongated delivery member and a suture capture fitting at a distal end of the delivery member. The suture capture fitting includes a recess for receiving a length of suture. The recess is bounded by a proximal wall and a lateral opening leads therein. An expeller at the recess is adapted to expel suture out of the recess through the lateral opening.

Abstract: Methods for passing multiple sutures through tissue are provided herein. In particular, the methods described herein allow multiple sutures to be passed through tissue without removing a suture passing instrument from a patient's body. In one embodiment, a method for passing a suture through tissue is provided that includes loading first and second suture limbs into a suture passing instrument, positioning the instrument within a patient's body, actuating the instrument to pass a portion of the first suture limb through the tissue, pulling the first suture limb through the tissue, pulling the second suture limb to reload the suture passing instrument without removing the instrument from the patient's body, actuating the instrument a second time to pass a portion of the second suture limb through the tissue, and pulling the second suture limb through the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical suturing device having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end is operable to move a suture through body tissue. An actuating rod extends between the handle assembly and the shaft. A needle assembly at the distal end of the actuating rod is movable with the actuating rod between an extended state and a retracted state. Bifurcated portions of the needle assembly define a suture slot, the bifurcated portions have a proximate relationship when the needle assembly is in the retracted state and having a separated relationship when the needle assembly is in the extended state. The needle assembly is biased to the retracted state and the bifurcated portions are biased to the separated relationship. A handle assembly is configured to releasably receive the needle assembly and is operable to move the needle assembly between a free suture state and a captured suture state.

Abstract: A small diameter delivery device capable of delivering a tissue loaded scaffold arthroscopically to a tissue defect or injury site without reducing the pressure at the injury site is provided. The scaffold delivery device of the present invention comprises a plunger system that includes two main components: an insertion tube and an insertion rod. The insertion tube has a flared proximal end for holding a tissue scaffold prior to delivery. An elongate, hollow body extends from the flared proximal end to a distal end of the insertion tube, and defines a passageway that extends through the body for delivery of the tissue scaffold. The insertion rod has an elongate body that extends into a handle at a proximal end and a tip at a distal end. The insertion rod is configured to be removably disposed within the insertion tube for sliding along the passageway to effect delivery of the tissue scaffold through the insertion tube.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for a graft fixation device for fixing a graft member within a bone tunnel. In one embodiment, a graft fixation device is provided having a radially expandable sheath adapted to be disposed within a bone tunnel, and a sheath expander adapted to be received within the radially expandable sheath to expand the sheath and thereby anchor a graft between the sheath and the bone tunnel. In an exemplary embodiment, the graft fixation device is particularly useful to affix a graft within a femoral tunnel.

Abstract: A perforation instrument and method of using same, including a shaft capable of being inserted into a joint of a patient, having a longitudinal axis, and carrying at least one piercing member, each piercing member having a tip suitable to pierce sub-chondral bone. The instrument is capable of being altered between an exposed condition wherein the tip of the at least one piercing member is exposed and a safety condition wherein the tip of the at least one piercing member is not capable of piercing tissue.

Abstract: A novel cross-pin for use in ACL reconstructive surgical procedures. The cross-pin has an elongated body having a distal tapered end. A guide wire opening in the distal end is in communication with a tunnel contained in the distal end. There is a trough extending into the outer surface of the trough for receiving a guide wire. The trough is in communication with the tunnel.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for securing a bone graft to a bone in a manner that ensures compression between the bone graft and bone. In one embodiment, a bone graft is positioned adjacent to a bone surface, a post is implanted in the bone, with the bone graft extending around a portion of the post, and a locking element is applied to the post to compress the bone graft into intimate contact with the bone.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring suture to bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a cannulated suture anchor is provided and it includes a suture-engaging member formed therein and configured to receive a suture therearound such that trailing ends of the suture can extend through the suture anchor. The suture anchor can also include at least a proximal portion having dual threads to facilitate engagement with bone. The present invention also provides exemplary sutures and drivers that can be used with the various methods and devices disclosed herein, or with other methods and devices known in the art.

Abstract: Suture anchor systems for repairing torn or damaged tissue are described herein. In one embodiment, a system can include a first suture loop having a first suture anchor coupled thereto, the first suture loop including a slip knot formed thereon to allow a size of the first suture loop to be adjusted. The system can also include a second suture loop coupled to the first suture loop and having a second suture anchor coupled thereto. The second suture loop can have a fixed size. In use, the suture anchors can be deployed through tissue to be repaired and into the anchoring tissue at a position spaced apart from one another by a selected distance. The length of the first suture loop can then be tensioned to re-approximate the torn or damaged tissue toward the anchoring tissue, thereby securely attached the torn tissue to the anchoring tissue.

Abstract: A suture anchor and method is disclosed in which a pair of anchor elements connected by a flexible cord are passed through a piece of soft tissue and embedded deeply into a bone. The cord holds the soft tissue securely to the bone and the anchors are embedded into more dense bone away from the location where the soft tissue contacts the bone.

Abstract: A biocompatible tissue repair stimulating implant or “scaffold” device is used to repair tissue injuries, particularly injuries to ligaments, tendons, and nerves. Such implants are especially useful in methods that involve surgical procedures to repair injuries to ligament, tendon, and nerve tissue in the hand and foot. The repair procedures may be conducted with implants that contain a biological component that assists in healing or tissue repair.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treating joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis and/or the pain associated therewith. The compositions and methods utilize a first component, namely hyaluronic acid (“HA”), in combination with at least one stabilizer. The composition can include a stabilizer that increases the stability and shelf-life of the HA. In another embodiment, the compositions and methods can also include an additional component, such as one or more glycosaminoglycans (“GAG”) or GAG precursors. Examples of GAGs or GAG precursors can include chondroitin sulfate (“CS”), dermatan sulfate, heparin, heparan sulfate, keratan sulfate, and glucosamine (“GlcN”).

Abstract: An anchor inserter provides for inserting an anchor into a hole in body tissue. The anchor inserter has an elongated shaft with a first axis and a distal end and an insertion tip. The insertion tip has a driving tip extending distally from the distal end of the shaft to terminate in an anchor engaging interface. A resiliency between the anchor engaging interface and the shaft allows bending away from the first axis. An abutment member extends distally from the shaft and has a distally facing abutment surface adjacent the driving tip which abuts the anchor and allows an axial force to be transmitted thereto. Preferably, the abutment member comprises a collar extending from the shaft and coaxially receiving the driving tip.

Abstract: A suture anchor driver has an elongated shaft, a handle at a proximal end of the shaft an anchor engagement at a distal end of the shaft and a clutch between the handle and the shaft. The clutch includes a slot for frictionally engaging a suture an engagement with the shaft and an engagement with the handle. The engagement with the shaft and the engagement with the handle are located with respect to one another such that driving torque applied to the handle urges open the slot to release its frictional engagement of the suture.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for securing soft tissue to bone. One exemplary embodiment of a device includes an anchor, a repair filament, and a connecting filament that is coupled to the repair filament, is in contact with the anchor's distal end, and is effective to connect the repair filament to the anchor such that the repair filament slides with respect to the anchor. The anchor can be rigid, and can include an axial bore extending therethrough. At least one of the repair filament and the connecting filament can extend through at least a portion of the axial bore, and the bore can be sized such that a portion of the filament extending therethrough barely fits to help maintain the connection between the anchor, repair filament, and connecting filament. Embodiments of the systems and devices disclosed can be used in a number of methods for repairing soft tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent produced via a genetically-altered chondrocyte are provided. More specifically, the device includes a housing which defines a cell chamber configured to retain a large volume of chondrocytes while selectively releasing therapeutic agents produced via these entrapped cells. In an exemplary embodiment, the cell chamber can be configured such that a portion of cells can be positioned at least about 1.5 mm from an external wall of the device (i.e., about 1.5 mm away from an external nutrient supply). For example, the cell chamber can have a tubular configuration having a length and a diameter wherein each of these dimensions is at least about 3 mm (thereby the central core to the chamber is at least about 1.5 mm from the outer wall of the device).

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring suture to bone. In one embodiment, an elongate weave of fibers can be provided having a first portion with a first pick count and a second portion with a second pick count that is greater than the first pick count. The first portion can have a cross-section that deforms in response to a force that is applied thereto. The first portion can have a collapsible diameter and can have a bending stiffness that is lower than a bending stiffness of the second portion of the suture. The first portion can also have a first pattern that is different than a second pattern on the second portion of the suture. The first portion can be threaded into a suture anchor such that it can be doubled over upon itself. The present invention also provides exemplary sutures and drivers that can be used with the various methods and devices disclosed herein, or with other methods and devices known in the art.