Abstract: A winding device (10) for use in the simultaneous formation and attachment of a loop (11) to an apertured implantable device (12), in which the loop is formed from a loosely structured fiber bundle of twisted yarn, and the device (12) has first and second apertures (13, 14) through which the loop can be taken, and comprising: withdrawing a leading end of yarn from a yarn supply (15, 18, 21) and feeding the leading end through the first aperture (13) in one direction, and through the second aperture (14) in an opposite direction; taking the leading end of yarn away from the device (12) and along a guide path formed by rotatable capstans (16) so as to form a basic loop; withdrawing further yarn from the supply simultaneously with applying movement of the basic loop along the guide path so as to apply successive loop turns to the basic loop and therefore from a progressively increasing loop core; and applying relative twists between the loop core and each successive loop turn so as to form a cohesive looped fibe

Abstract: An attachment device includes an elongate guide element which is manipulatable between a pulling position in which its longitudinal axis extends generally parallel to the pulling direction and an anchoring position in which its longitudinal axis extends transversely to the pulling direction. A connecting loop of flexible and implantable material is connected, or connectable, at one end to the guide element and at its other end is connectable to one end of the prosthetic ligament to be implanted. The loop is assembled from a fibre bundle of twisted yarn. Connecting apparatus are formed in the guide elements which permit the loop to be connected thereto.

Abstract: A ligament graft harvesting technique using a novel combination of harvesting tools comprising a patellar reamer guide (16), tibial reamer guide, and disposable reamer (10) for use with these guides, in order to harvest autogenous tissue from a patient to form a prosthetic knee ligament, with the tissue being harvested from the patella, patellar tendon and tibial component of the knee of the patient, and with the novel tool set comprising: a patellar reamer guide (16) which can be clamped to the patella of the patient so as to overlie the patella and to define a guide passage to guide the movement of a reamer through the outer surface of the patella; a disposable reamer (10) which can be driven through the guide passage so as to form a plug of patellar bone attached to an elongate portion of tendon; and a tibial reamer guide which can be clamped to the tibia of the patient (after removal of the reamer and unclamping of the patellar reamer guide), in which the tibial reamer guide defines a further guide passag

Abstract: A controller (10) having a housing (11) within which is positioned a moveable portion (13). The housing comprises an outer housing portion (12a) and an inner housing portion (12b) and having a vent (14) and a limit peg (22). Detent means (15) defines the lower position limit of the movement of the inner housing portion (12b) and second detent means (16) defines the upper limit of the movement of the inner housing portion (12b) with the outer housing portion (12a). Biasing means (17) biases the moveable portion 13 to a first position. The device further comprises an inlet (19) attachable to a pump and an outlet (20) connectable to an inflatable body to form part of a continuous passive motion device.