Abstract: A fastener for use in soft tissue repair includes a resorbable polymer or suture core having one or more collagen bands in surrounding relation to the core. The bands are expandable between a dehydrated state for insertion and a hydrated state for healing, and are dimensioned and positioned to bring two sides of a tear into apposition to promote healing of the tear. The fastener insertion method includes driving an elongated tube across the tear, inserting a fastener down the tube until it breaches the tears and removing the tube, leaving the fastener in position to expand and promote healing of the tear.

Abstract: A connector delivery device and method include a rod frangibly affixed to an inner member and a support member slidable around the rod. The support member is adapted to support an outer member for movement relative to the inner member for forming a snap fit therebetween, the snap fit for trapping flexible material such as suture at a surgical site. In an alternate embodiment a pistol-type handle and trigger operate to move a push rod seated within an outer barrel against the outer member to push the outer member over the inner member to form the snap fit. A collet is attached to a collet barrel slidable within the outer barrel, the collet barrel positioned in surrounding relation to the push rod. The collet, which is spring biased into a closed position, supports the outer member prior to activation of the delivery device.

Abstract: A connector for joining sections of flexible material includes inner and outer members that snap fit together by passing the bore of the outer member over the inner member to capture and secure ends of flexible material such as sutures. The flexible material is fitted into a bore in the inner member and project out a side portal to pass between the shared or opposing inner and outer member surfaces. This serpentine pathway locks the flexible material in place. The invention further provides a delivery instrument to maintain the outer member in alignment with a receiving end of the inner member loaded with flexible material. The delivery instrument further includes cooperating elements for urging the outer member over the inner member to lock the flexible material in place.

Abstract: A fastener, driving device, and method are provided for repairing a tear in soft tissue of a patient, such as a meniscal tear in a knee. The fastener has a variable-pitch helical protrusion along a central portion that decreases from the distal end to the proximal end, for bringing two sides of the tear into apposition as the fastener is advanced across the two sides of the tear in a screwing motion. A buttress form of helical protrusion is used for resisting axial forces from pulling the fastener out of the tear and from pulling the two sides of the tear apart. The fastener material preferably is a biodegradable, biocompatible, nontoxic plastic that is specifically designed to biodegrade generally within the time span of the healing process. A delivery device for introducing the fastener is also provided that includes an elongated needle rotationally coupled with the fastener, the turning of which turns the fastener, advancing the fastener into the tissue.

Abstract: A device for effecting progressive elongation of a sectioned bone having no extracutaneous elements, and a method for using the device, are presented. The device, which includes a pair of telescopically engaged cylindrical members, is inserted into the medullary space of the bone, and one cylindrical member is affixed to each section of bone. Under the normal torsions experienced by the affected limb, a clutch mechanism is provided that causes the cylindrical members to be forced apart, separating the sections of bone, at which site new bone growth is stimulated. Rotations as small as 1 degree are sufficient to activate elongation. A mechanism is also provided for sensing and measuring the amount of elongation that has occurred extracutaneously. In an alternate embodiment, instead of the clutch mechanism, elongation is achieved by magnetically driving an internal component with an externally applied magnetic field.

Abstract: Spine fixation instrumentation including a rod and lateral mass screws which can be fixed at any of a range of orientations relative to the rod. Connectors are used to couple the rod and the screws. Sleeves are wedged between yokes on the one hand and the rod or shafts on the other hand. The sleeves are assembled and disassembled by instruments similar to pliers.

Abstract: A fastener, driving device, and method are provided for repairing a tear in soft tissue of a patient, a particular exemplary embodiment comprising a meniscal tear in a knee. The fastener has a variable-pitch helical protrusion along a central portion that decreases from the distal end to the proximal end, which can serve to bring two sides of the tear into apposition as the fastener is advanced across the two sides of the tear in a screwing motion. The fastener material preferably is a biodegradable, biocompatible, nontoxic plastic that is specifically designed to be biodegradable generally within the time span of the healing process. A delivery device for introducing the fastener is also provided that includes an elongated needle rotationally coupled with the fastener, the turning of which turns the fastener, advancing the fastener into the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for reducing, stabilizing, and fixating a pelvic ring fracture. The apparatus is a modular device that includes a plurality of clamps mountable to an exposed fractured pelvis with bone screws, at least one clamp on either side of the fracture. The clamps and the fracture are spanned by an elongated rod that is sufficiently pliable to be shaped to conform to the contours of the pelvis and sufficiently strong to stabilize and fixate the fracture. The method of treating the pelvic fracture includes affixing at least one clamp on each side of the fracture, cutting and shaping the rod, and securing the rod within the clamps to fixate the fracture. The modularity of the apparatus provides that the rod can be easily removed for reshaping as needed, and that the clamps can be easily removed for repositioning as needed.

Abstract: A device for effecting progressive elongation of a sectioned bone having no extracutaneous elements, and a method for using the device, are presented. The device, which includes a pair of telescopically engaged cylindrical members, is inserted into the medullary space of the bone, and one cylindrical member is affixed to each section of bone. Under the normal torsions experienced by the affected limb, a clutch mechanism is provided that causes the cylindrical members to be forced apart, separating the sections of bone, at which site new bone growth is stimulated. Rotations as small as 1 degree are sufficient to activate elongation. In order to limit excessive rotational displacement, a keyring mechanism is provided that limits rotation to that which is physically tolerated yet provides sufficient lengthening, typically between 3 and 5 degrees.

Abstract: A pelvic fixation device and method for the initial stabilization and reduction of pelvic ring fractures, includes an adjustable radiolucent frame, first and second fixation pins connected to the frame in spaced relation relative to each other for fixing the frame to the posterior pelvis on opposite sides of the fracture, an adjustment mechanism for moving the first and second fixation pins relative to each other for stabilizing and reducing the pelvic fracture, and an adjustable spacer for adjusting the distance between the device and the patient.