Abstract: A bone anchor and method for its use in an arthroscopic and open soft tissue surgical procedure to mount a ligament graft, or the like, under tension and at variable lengths in a tunnel section that is formed through a bone or bones. The bone anchor embodiments of the invention each have a body for mounting into and/or adjacent a bone cortex surface in a tunnel section to allow at least one suture or shaft that has been fitted through the bone anchor, and is attached to the ligament graft to be pulled through the bone anchor. The suture or shaft to pass across a movable clamp fitted within the body to move so as to allow the suture or shaft to be pulled freely through the bone anchor distal, but will clamp against the suture or shaft, prohibiting its being pulled back therethrough.

Abstract: A bone-tendon-bone drill guide for use is guiding drilling to form a pair of transverse holes through a bone end of a bone-tendon-bone ligament graft to receive a suture or sutures threaded therethrough to form a suture sling or craddle supporting the bone end as the suture are pulled into a tunnel section of a straight that has been formed into a patient's bone. The drill guide includes a pair of scissor arms connected at a pivot that are formed to where moving of lower hand engaging portions of the arms together also moves upper ends of the arms together whereacross opposing jaws are maintained. The jaws each include curved surface therealong for engaging a bone end fitted therebetween and each preferably includes spikes that extend from a jaw face for engaging, to hold in place, the bone end as a drill is turned through straight drill guide holes formed through a jaw to form transverse holes through the bone end, with the drill to exit the bone end and pass through openings formed through the other jaw.

Abstract: A variable angle drill guide and method for its use for securing an end of a ligament graft in a tunnel section of a straight tunnel section that has been formed into a patient's knee in a procedure for replacing a cruciate ligament. The drill guide includes a straight reference rod that is for fitting to slide through a straight hole formed in a slide block and includes a crossing straight hole that is for receiving, fitted therethrough, a straight base leg rod that is bent from one end into a straight drill guide mounting leg, the mount leg, in turn, to mount an arcuate shaped slide track along its top end. The slide track is curved to approximately one hundred twenty (120) degrees of arc and is arranged to maintain a drill guide slide traveling therealong that includes a drill guide barrel that is fitted to slide therethrough.

Abstract: A chemical dispensing system for dispensing a liquid chemical agent, such as an antibiotic, anesthetic, growth factor, hormone, anti=neoplastic agent, or the like, onto or into a site of a surgical procedure. The system includes at least one bladder having an internal cavity that connects to an open tube wherethrough the liquid chemical agent is passed, under pressure, into the bladder. The liquid chemical agent passes, as a low volume flow, through at least one hole formed through a bladder wall and onto the surgical procedure site.

Abstract: A suture anchor system and procedure for securing a suture, into to extend from a bone cortex surface. The system includes forming a hole into a bone cortex surface that is of a diameter and depth to provide a wall surface area that is at least as great as the surface area of an end section of a suture or sutures fitted therein, and, by filling the hole with an adhesive that is allowed to cure, a suture mounting is provided that will have a pullout strength or purchase that is greater than a load as is anticipated to be applied thereto when the suture is used to connect a ligament, or the like, to the bone.

Abstract: An expandable body suture that has a suture body that is formed in the manufacturing process over at least one pledget device that has an elongate shape with essentially a constant cross section along its mid-section and is of a diameter to fit snugly into a hole formed in a bone, ligament, tendon, or the like. The pledget device can be formed from a cloth, fabric or resinous material, is preferably resilient, is positioned in the suture body during manufacture or can be arranged on a cord or string whereover the suture body is formed during its manufacture as by weaving suture threads or strands thereover. For forming a hole in bone, ligament or tendon to receive the pledget device pulled therein, a needle or needles are secured to the suture body end or ends for forming the hole and pulling the suture body therethrough.