Abstract: A disposable, single use cutting blade assembly for use with a handpiece having a motor for rotatably driving the cutting blade assembly includes a plastic hub mounted on a proximal end of an outer member having a configuration to be received in a bore in the handpiece in a particular orientation relative to sensors therein and having first and second annular sections at least one of which has a recess therein for receiving a coding element to be detected by the sensors, the first and second annular sections being secured together to close the recess and hold the coding element therein.

Abstract: An improved endoscope employing phase conjugate imaging principles includes a first transmissive member for transmitting light rays received at a distal tip of the endoscope to an intermediate filter location. A phase conjugate filter at the intermediate filter location redirects the rays, according to the precise inverse of their incoming direction, along a second transmissive member optically identical to the first. Rays exiting the endoscope bear the exact relation to one another as when entering the tip of the endoscope and may be imaged or displayed on an eyepiece or video screen.

Abstract: A flexible, elongated suture passing device or shuttle capable of advancing monofilament or multi-stranded suture material to a remote work site. The suture shuttle is formed of a plurality of woven or braided fiber strands which are coated, over all but a central portion of the strands, with a material having a flexible exterior surface. A part of the central portion of the strands is formed into an eyelet for receiving a suture therethrough. A method is disclosed wherein one end of the suture shuttle is advanced to a work site until the eyelet passes through the tissue at the work site. This enables suture to be passed through the eyelet so the shuttle may be withdrawn to pass the suture back through the tissue to be sutured. Repeating this process brings any desired number of suture leads through the tissue so a knot may be tied.

Abstract: A cannulated bioabsorbable tack has annular ribs configured to enhance fixation to tissue, such as bone, and is particularly effective for attaching soft tissue to bone, such as ligaments or muscles in the shoulder. Apparatus and method for displaying the tack facilitate arthroscopic surgical procedures for attaching or joining tissue.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical instrument having particular use in arthroscopic procedures has its drive motor operation controllable entirely from a switch cluster mounted on the instrument handpiece. The switch cluster is curved to substantially follow the circumferential profile of the handpiece and thereby avoid large platforms or projections that would add to the weight and bulk of the handpiece and destroy its balance. The switches in the cluster are arranged to minimize the movement of a surgeon's finger in quickly moving from a speed or direction control switch to an on/off switch. A unique arcuate printed circuit board having a small radius of curvature is employed as part of the switch cluster and is able to withstand the high temperatures to which the handpiece is exposed during sterilization between procedures. Disposable, single-use cutting blades are individually coded to provide a sensible parameter representing the optimum operating speed range of the cutting blade.

Abstract: The cutting strength of a rotary surgical cutting instrument is increased by an on-axis bearing contact between the distal end of its rotatable inner member and the interior surface of its outer member. The outer member is provided with a distal cutting aperture angularly oriented to the rotation axis and circumscribed by an oval outer cutting edge. The inner member has two symmetrical rows of straight-sided triangular cutting teeth positioned to cooperate with the outer cutting edge to shear tissue, including bone, disposed in the cutting aperture. A clearance gap between the inner and outer members narrows in width in the region between the teeth and the aperture to prevent severed tissue from lodging between the inner and outer members. The height of the cutting teeth is at least 50% of their width, and 15% to 22% of the outer diameter of the inner member. The straight sides of the teeth converge to crests disposed in a first common longitudinal plane.

Abstract: A cannulated bioabsorbable tack has annular ribs configured to enhance fixation to invivo tissue and is particularly effective for attaching soft tissue to bone, such as ligaments or muscles. Apparatus including a trocar wire, an inserter and an impactor facilitates arthroscopic surgical procedures for inserting the tack invivo to attach or join the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical bone reamer includes a rotatable, elongated shank having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis, and a reaming head mounted on the distal end. A plurality of equally spaced walls are radially disposed on the reaming head around the longitudinal axis, and tip edges for penetrating bone are defined on the radial walls to be disposed angularly with the longitudinal axis. Reaming edges joined to the tip edges extend longitudinally from the tip edges in the proximal direction parallel to and an equal radial distance from the longitudinal axis for reaming a cylindrical tunnel when the reaming head is rotated in bone. Tapered flutes disposed angularly between the tip edges and the radial walls permit bone to be evacuated through the reaming head when forming a tunnel in bone.

Abstract: A package includes a peripheral flange around a blister defining an open cavity for receiving a product and a compressible insert for securing the product against movement in the cavity. At least one projection on the insert extends laterally from the cavity over the peripheral flange, and a lid covering the cavity is continuously sealed to the peripheral flange and the projection along a single seal. A method for sealing products in the package includes supporting the peripheral flange on a rigid support surface, and compressing the lid against the peripheral flange with heat and pressure to compress the projection between the lid and the peripheral flange and heat seal the projection to the lid simultaneously with sealing of the lid to the peripheral flange along the peripheral seal.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument having elongate inner and outer tubular members with distal ends cooperating to cut bodily tissue and aspirate the cut bodily tissue through the inner tubular member includes a ceramic coating formed on the inner tubular member to extend from the distal end to the proximal end thereof such that the ceramic coating forms an elongate bearing surface extending along the length of the surgical cutting instrument to prevent cocking or skewing of the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member, to increase the surface hardness of the inner tubular member, to reduce the coefficient of friction of the inner tubular member and to prevent galling and possible seizure of the inner tubular member by distributing or dispersing heat along the surgical cutting instrument while reducing the clearance between the outer diameter of the inner tubular member and the inner diameter of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: A drill guide is disclosed in which a cylindrical guide tube is secured to a handle so that it may not be easily longitudinally moved in either direction without the user engaging a thumb activated locking mechanism. The cylindrical guide tube passes through a conically tapered cylindrical bore within the drill guide handle and a similarly tapered split collet is interposed concentrically between the exterior of the cylindrical guide tube and the interior of the bore. The collet is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending lobes which are sufficiently resilient that movement of the collet to its proximal-most position causes the lobes to squeeze inwardly against the cylindrical guide tube. Frictional engagement between the collet lobes and the guide tube prevents the latter from moving until the collet is moved distally to release pressure on the lobes.

Abstract: A cannulated bioabsorbable tack has annular ribs configured to enhance fixation to tissue, such as bone, and is particularly effective for attaching soft tissue to bone, such as ligaments or muscles in the shoulder. Apparatus and method for display the tack facilitate arthroscopic surgical procedures for attaching or joining tissue.

Abstract: A cannulated bioabsorbable tack has annular ribs configured to enhance fixation to tissue, such as bone, and is particularly effective for attaching soft tissue to bone, such as ligaments or muscles in the shoulder. Apparatus and method for deploying the tack facilitate arthroscopic surgical procedures for attaching or joining tissue.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument having elongate inner and outer tubular members with distal ends cooperating to cut bodily tissue and aspirate the cut bodily tissue through the inner tubular member includes a coating of titanium nitride formed on the inner tubular member to extend from the distal end to the proximal end thereof such that the titanium nitride coating forms an elongate bearing surface extending along the length of the surgical cutting instrument to prevent cocking or skewing of the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member, to increase the surface hardness of the inner tubular member, to reduce the coefficient of friction of the inner tubular member and to prevent galling and possible seizure of the inner tubular member by distributing or dispersing heat along the surgical cutting instrument while reducing the clearance between the outer diameter of the inner tubular member and the inner diameter of the outer tubular member.