Abstract: A method for attaching an elongated object to bone, the method comprising: forming a hole in the bone; positioning a loop of the elongated object in the hole; advancing a surgical wire into the bone so that the surgical wire is directed toward a location within the interior of the loop; and severing the surgical wire intermediate its length so as to create a distal portion and a remainder portion and, if the distal portion of the surgical wire does not extend through the loop, further advancing the distal portion of the surgical wire so that it extends through the loop.

Abstract: A repair system including at least one anchor, screw, or plate with a body and a suture capture element formed in the body for attaching at least one suture to the anchor, screw, or plate. The suture capture element being configured so as to permit the suture to be snared by the suture-capture element after the anchor, screw, or plate has been attached to bone.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a knot, the apparatus having a first pathway for receiving a first element, and a second pathway for receiving a second element, the first pathway having a configuration which corresponds to the path to be followed by the first element and the second pathway having a configuration which corresponds to the path to be followed by the second element, respectively, in order to form a knot; a shuttle for moving the second element; and a mechanism for moving the shuttle through the second pathway, whereby, when the first element is received in the first pathway and the second element is connected to the shuttle, movement of the shuttle through the second pathway causes the second element to be moved through the second pathway so as to form a knot around the first element.

Abstract: A method of forming a suture anchor comprising a one piece blank folded to form a body. The body has a floor, a first sidewall extending from one end of the floor and a second sidewall extending from an opposite end of the floor. A recess is defined by the floor, first sidewall and second sidewall. A crossbar extends inwardly from the second sidewall across the recess such that a free end of the crossbar is normally disposed distally of a transverse edge of the body. The crossbar is flexible such that when a distally directed force is applied, the free end of the crossbar is positionable in the recess. The free end of the crossbar is engageable with the transverse edge to limit the proximal motion of the crossbar from a proximally directed force.

Abstract: A method of connecting a suture to a bone including the steps of inserting at least one suture anchor into the bone, and disposing a suture loop about a crossbar of the suture anchor in such a way that when a proximally directed force is applied to the suture loop, a free end of the crossbar engages a transverse edge of the body of the suture anchor to limit proximal motion of the crossbar and capture the suture loop.

Abstract: A method for attaching an elongated object to bone, the method comprising: forming a hole in the bone; positioning a loop of the elongated object in the hole; advancing a surgical wire into the bone so that the surgical wire is directed toward a location within the interior of the loop; and severing the surgical wire intermediate its length so as to create a distal portion and a remainder portion and, if the distal portion of the surgical wire does not extend through the loop, further advancing the distal portion of the surgical wire so that it extends through the loop.

Abstract: A suture anchor comprising a one piece blank folded to form a body. The body has a floor, a first sidewall extending from one end of the floor and a second sidewall extending from an opposite end of the floor. A recess is defined by the floor, first sidewall and second sidewall. A crossbar extends inwardly from the second sidewall across the recess such that a free end of the crossbar is normally disposed distally of a transverse edge of the body. The crossbar is flexible such that when a distally directed force is applied, the free end of the crossbar is positionable in the recess. The free end of the crossbar is engageable with the transverse edge to limit the proximal motion of the crossbar from a proximally directed force.

Abstract: A method of connecting a suture to a bone including the steps of inserting at least one suture anchor into the bone, and disposing a suture loop about a crossbar of the suture anchor in such a way that when a proximally directed force is applied to the suture loop, a free end of the crossbar engages a transverse edge of the body of the suture anchor to limit proximal motion of the crossbar and capture the suture loop.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a knot, the apparatus comprising: a first pathway for receiving a first element, and a second pathway for receiving a second element, wherein the first pathway and the second pathway have configurations which correspond to the paths to be followed by the first element and the second element, respectively, in order to form a knot; a shuttle for moving the second element; and a mechanism for moving the shuttle through the second pathway, whereby, when the first element is received in the first pathway and the second element is connected to the shuttle, movement of the shuttle through the second pathway causes the second element to be moved through the second pathway so as to form a knot around the first element.

Abstract: A method of connecting a suture to a bone including the steps of inserting at least one suture anchor into the bone, and disposing a suture loop about a crossbar of the suture anchor in such a way that when a proximally directed force is applied to the suture loop, a free end of the crossbar engages a transverse edge of the body of the suture anchor to limit proximal motion of the crossbar and capture the suture loop.

Abstract: A soft tissue repair system comprising: at least one anchor, the at least one anchor comprising a body, a bone-engaging element attached to the body for securing the body in bone, and a suture-attaching element attached to the body for attaching suture to the anchor, the suture-attaching element being configured so as to permit suture to be snared by the suture-attaching element after the anchor has been deployed in the bone.

Abstract: A tendon attachment system may include two fasteners forming a fastener assembly. The first fastener may comprise a capture body with suture apertures and a threadable capture body hole, two sharpened legs attached to the capture surface, and a tendon channel. The suture may be secured to a tendon, and slid through the apertures guiding the first fastener to the fixation site. The two sharpened legs may be driven into the bone. The capture body may provide security of the tendon to the bone and the sutures may be secured to the first fastener. The second fastener may comprise a head portion, and a threadable portion which may pass through the capture body hole and threadably engage with the bone, further advancing the first fastener toward the bone. The suture may be further secured by the engagement of the second fastener to the first fastener.