Abstract: A surgical template system for use in working on a bone comprises: a tool guide block comprising at least one guide aperture for receiving and guiding a tool to work on a bone; locating means comprising a plurality of locating members, each member having a respective end surface for positioning against a surface of the bone; and attachment means for non-adjustably attaching the tool guide block to the locating means such that, when attached, the member end surfaces are secured in fixed position with, respect to each other, for engaging different respective portions of the surface of the bone, and the at least one guide aperture is secured in a fixed position with respect to the end surfaces. Corresponding methods of manufacturing a surgical template system, methods of manufacturing locating means for a surgical template system, methods of fitting a prosthesis to a bone, surgical methods, and surgical apparatus are described.

Abstract: A surgical template system for use in working on a bone comprises: a tool guide block comprising at least one guide aperture for receiving and guiding a tool to work on a bone; locating means comprising a plurality of locating members, each member having a respective end surface for positioning against a surface of the bone; and attachment means for non-adjustably attaching the tool guide block to the locating means such that, when attached, the member end surfaces are secured in fixed position with, respect to each other, for engaging different respective portions of the surface of the bone, and the at least one guide aperture is secured in a fixed position with respect to the end surfaces. Corresponding methods of manufacturing a surgical template system, methods of manufacturing locating means for a surgical template system, methods of fitting a prosthesis to a bone, surgical methods, and surgical apparatus are described.

Abstract: An implant assembly for use in tissue repairs includes a fixation device and a flexible elongate implant. The fixation device has a body with a first surface adapted to face towards a bone and a second surface adapted to face away from the bone. Apertures extend through the fixation device body from the first surface to the second surface and serve to attach one end of the flexible elongate implant loop. The flexible elongate implant has a multifilament structure comprising filaments which are of a metallic or non-metallic material. The implant is coupled to the fixation device by passing through the apertures, and has a loop having a first end that is secured to the fixation device and a second end which can be releasably coupled to the fixation device following passage through or around a bone, for securing the implant assembly relative to the bone.

Abstract: A medical probe for traversing a tract in the body of a human or animal. One medical probe includes an elongate elastically deformable member including a helically wound element, and a sheath having an inner surface which contacts an outer surface of the elastically deformable member. The probe is elastically deformable, for traversing the tract, by virtue of the elastically deformable member. The probe may include a treatment element, which can be used to perform a procedure in the body of a patient. An assembly includes a probe and a treatment element. The medical probe has a particular use in the treatment of a fistula, in which the probe takes the form of a fistula probe adapted to traverse a fistula tract.

Abstract: An assembly for use in repairing a severed tendon comprises an elongate threading element adapted to transit along a lumen of a tendon sheath, for covering a curved needle and carrying the needle within the lumen. The assembly can also comprise a liner for lining an internal surface of the tendon sheath, defining an internal passage along which a tendon stump coupled to the curved needle can pass. The liner can have a collapsed, rest configuration in which it is adapted to be inserted into the lumen of the tendon sheath, and an expanded, operating configuration, the liner being movable to the expanded configuration by contact with the tendon stump. Once released from the liner, the threading element receives the curved needle, for covering and carrying the curved needle through the liner and along the lumen of the tendon sheath trailing the connected tendon stump.

Abstract: An implant assembly for use in tissue repair having an adjustable length and comprising: a fixation device comprising a bone facing surface, an outer surface, a first and at least one further aperture extending through the fixation device from the outer surface to the bone facing surface; and a flexible elongate element secured to the fixation device and having first and second free ends.

Abstract: There is disclosed a synthetic joint stabilisation device (10) and associated assembly, the device having a particular use in a method of stabilising a dislocated acromioclavicular joint. The joint stabilisation device (10) comprises a first elongate portion (22) forming a first free end (24); a second elongate portion (26) forming a second free end (28) which is opposite the first free end; and an integral eye (30) provided at a location which is between the first and second free ends, the eye serving for securing the device to a bone (19) of a patient. The device (10) is at least partly tubular so as to define an internal cavity (32), said part, of the device being of a woven material.

Abstract: A surgical template system for use in working on a bone comprises: a tool guide block comprising at least one guide aperture for receiving and guiding a tool to work on a bone; locating means comprising a plurality of locating members, each member having a respective end surface for positioning against a surface of the bone; and attachment means for non-adjustably attaching the tool guide block to the locating means such that, when attached, the member end surfaces are secured in fixed position with, respect to each other, for engaging different respective portions of the surface of the bone, and the at least one guide aperture is secured in a fixed position with respect to the end surfaces. Corresponding methods of manufacturing a surgical template system, methods of manufacturing locating means for a surgical template system, methods of fitting a prosthesis to a bone, surgical methods, and surgical apparatus are described.

Abstract: A surgical template system for use in working on a bone comprises: a tool guide block comprising at least one guide aperture for receiving and guiding a tool to work on a bone; locating means comprising a plurality of locating members, each member having a respective end surface for positioning against a surface of the bone; and attachment means for non-adjustably attaching the tool guide block to the locating means such that, when attached, the member end surfaces are secured in fixed position with, respect to each other, for engaging different respective portions of the surface of the bone, and the at least one guide aperture is secured in a fixed position with respect to the end surfaces. Corresponding methods of manufacturing a surgical template system, methods of manufacturing locating means for a surgical template system, methods of fitting a prosthesis to a bone, surgical methods, and surgical apparatus are described.

Abstract: A surgical template system for use in working on a bone comprises: a tool guide block comprising at least one guide aperture for receiving and guiding a tool to work on a bone; locating means comprising a plurality of locating members, each member having a respective end surface for positioning against a surface of the bone; and attachment means for non-adjustably attaching the tool guide block to the locating means such that, when attached, the member end surfaces are secured in fixed position with, respect to each other, for engaging different respective portions of the surface of the bone, and the at least one guide aperture is secured in a fixed position with respect to the end surfaces. Corresponding methods of manufacturing a surgical template system, methods of manufacturing locating means for a surgical template system, methods of fitting a prosthesis to a bone, surgical methods, and surgical apparatus are described.

Abstract: A surgical template system for use in working on a bone comprises: a tool guide block comprising at least one guide aperture for receiving and guiding a tool to work on a bone; locating means comprising a plurality of locating members, each member having a respective end surface for positioning against a surface of the bone; and attachment means for non-adjustably attaching the tool guide block to the locating means such that, when attached, the member end surfaces are secured in fixed position with, respect to each other, for engaging different respective portions of the surface of the bone, and the at least one guide aperture is secured in a fixed position with respect to the end surfaces. Corresponding methods of manufacturing a surgical template system, methods of manufacturing locating means for a surgical template system, methods of fitting a prosthesis to a bone, surgical methods, and surgical apparatus are described.

Abstract: A method of forming a tissue engineered construct, a bioreactor for forming a tissue engineered construct, and a tissue engineered construct itself are disclosed. The disclosed method includes seeding a scaffold with cells to form a tissue construct; locating the tissue construct in a space defined by a tissue construct support element; locating the tissue construct support element within a bioreactor; and operating a load applicator of the bioreactor to apply a cyclical compressive mechanical load to the tissue construct, to stimulate the deposition of tissue matrix in the tissue construct; in which the tissue construct, the tissue construct support element and the load applicator are arranged so that the load applicator can at least initially contact both the tissue construct and the tissue construct support element, so that at least part of a total load generated by the load applicator is borne by the tissue construct support element.

Abstract: A surgical template system for use in working on a bone comprises: a tool guide block comprising at least one guide aperture for receiving and guiding a tool to work on a bone; locating means comprising a plurality of locating members, each member having a respective end surface for positioning against a surface of the bone; and attachment means for non-adjustably attaching the tool guide block to the locating means such that, when attached, the member end surfaces are secured in fixed position with, respect to each other, for engaging different respective portions of the surface of the bone, and the at least one guide aperture is secured in a fixed position with respect to the end surfaces. Corresponding methods of manufacturing a surgical template system, methods of manufacturing locating means for a surgical template system, methods of fitting a prosthesis to a bone, surgical methods, and surgical apparatus are described.

Abstract: There is disclosed a medical probe for traversing a tract in the body of a human or animal. One medical probe is disclosed which comprises an elongate elastically deformable member comprising a helically wound element, and a sheath having an inner surface which contacts an outer surface of the elastically deformable member. The probe is elastically deformable, for traversing the tract, by virtue of the elastically deformable member. The probe may include a treatment element, which can be used to perform a procedure in the body of a patient. An assembly comprising a probe and a treatment element is also disclosed. The medical probe has a particular use in the treatment of a fistula, in which the probe takes the form of a fistula probe adapted to traverse a fistula tract.

Abstract: An assembly for use in repairing a severed tendon comprises an elongate threading element adapted to transit along a lumen of a tendon sheath, for covering a curved needle and carrying the needle within the lumen. The assembly can also comprise a liner for lining an internal surface of the tendon sheath, defining an internal passage along which a tendon stump coupled to the curved needle can pass. The liner can have a collapsed, rest configuration in which it is adapted to be inserted into the lumen of the tendon sheath, and an expanded, operating configuration, the liner being movable to the expanded configuration by contact with the tendon stump. Once released from the liner, the threading element receives the curved needle, for covering and carrying the curved needle through the liner and along the lumen of the tendon sheath trailing the connected tendon stump.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elongate guide element (22) for guiding an implant (1) along a tunnel (17) in a bone (12, 14) and for securing the implant within the tunnel. One exemplary guide element comprises: first end and second ends (24, 26); a pair of support apertures (42) for receiving a support element (3) for the implant, the support apertures being spaced apart in a direction along a main longitudinal axis (28); a saddle (46) extending transverse to the longitudinal axis, one of the pair of support apertures being disposed between the saddle and the first end and the other between the saddle and the second end. The support element extends through one of the pair of support apertures, at least partly around the saddle and then through the other aperture. The guide element has a generally planar bone facing surface (48) and a second opposite surface (50).

Abstract: A surgical template system for use in working on a bone comprises: a tool guide block comprising at least one guide aperture for receiving and guiding a tool to work on a bone; locating means comprising a plurality of locating members, each member having a respective end surface for positioning against a surface of the bone; and attachment means for non-adjustably attaching the tool guide block to the locating means such that, when attached, the member end surfaces are secured in fixed position with, respect to each other, for engaging different respective portions of the surface of the bone, and the at least one guide aperture is secured in a fixed position with respect to the end surfaces. Corresponding methods of manufacturing a surgical template system, methods of manufacturing locating means for a surgical template system, methods of fitting a prosthesis to a bone, surgical methods, and surgical apparatus are described.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device for the repair of damaged cartilage including methods of implantation and repair. The prosthetic device is formed from a biocompatible pad having an open structure connected to a textile or non-woven sheet-like anchor. In one embodiment the anchor comprises legs that extend away from a perimeter region of the pad and spaced apart along their respective lengths such that an in unfolded orientation, the longitudinal edges of neighbouring legs are not in contact with one another and a spatial gap is provided between the anchoring legs. The anchor may also be provided in the form of strips to which anchorage sutures or other medical cords may be attached to fixate the device between connective tissue.

Abstract: A surgical template system for use in working on a bone comprises: a tool guide block comprising at least one guide aperture for receiving and guiding a tool to work on a bone; locating means comprising a plurality of locating members, each member having a respective end surface for positioning against a surface of the bone; and attachment means for non-adjustably attaching the tool guide block to the locating means such that, when attached, the member end surfaces are secured in fixed position with, respect to each other, for engaging different respective portions of the surface of the bone, and the at least one guide aperture is secured in a fixed position with respect to the end surfaces. Corresponding methods of manufacturing a surgical template system, methods of manufacturing locating means for a surgical template system, methods of fitting a prosthesis to a bone, surgical methods, and surgical apparatus are described.