Abstract: A suturing device for grasping soft tissue and placing stitches in soft tissue during endoscopic procedures is described. An elongate housing with a stationary jaw and a movable jaw disposed at the distal end are configured for grasping and releasing soft tissue. A movable needle disposed within the housing is actuated to engage a length of suture and drive the suture into and through the grasped soft tissue. A suture capture member is disposed on the movable jaw and is configured to allow passage of the needle therethrough while securing a portion of the stitched length of suture.

Abstract: A bone anchor insertion device comprises a handle, a nosepiece connected to a distal end of the handle, a bone anchor connected to the nosepiece, and an actuator disposed on the handle for deploying the bone anchor, which suture is also fixed to a portion of soft tissue to be attached to a portion of bone. A suture ratchet or tensioning mechanism is disposed in the handle for tensioning suture which is associated with the bone anchor. This mechanism permits precise tensioning, while also permitting one-handed operation, thereby allowing the practitioner to use his or her other hand for other activities, such as camera operation or the like.

Abstract: In repairing soft tissue with a bone anchoring instrument (such as reattaching a tendon of a torn rotator cuff), the bone anchoring instrument may be used to anchor the soft tissue to a region of bone. The anchors inserted into the underlying bone may have one or more lengths of suture or wire attached thereto which may be tensioned independently of one another to affix the soft tissue to the bone by having a selector mechanism selectively engage and disengage ratcheted tensioning wheels from one another. Suture loading mechanisms may be employed for passing suture lengths into and/or through the anchors prior to deployment into the bone where such mechanisms may employ suture snares which are configured to reconfigure from an expanded shape through which suture lengths may be easily passed to a low-profile shape which secures the suture lengths within the snare.

Abstract: In repairing soft tissue with a bone anchoring instrument (such as reattaching a tendon of a torn rotator cuff), the bone anchoring instrument may be used to anchor the soft tissue to a region of bone. The anchors inserted into the underlying bone may have one or more lengths of suture or wire attached thereto which may be tensioned independently of one another to affix the soft tissue to the bone by having a selector mechanism selectively engage and disengage ratcheted tensioning wheels from one another. Suture loading mechanisms may be employed for passing suture lengths into and/or through the anchors prior to deployment into the bone where such mechanisms may employ suture snares which are configured to reconfigure from an expanded shape through which suture lengths may be easily passed to a low-profile shape which secures the suture lengths within the snare.

Abstract: In repairing soft tissue with a bone anchoring instrument (such as reattaching a tendon of a torn rotator cuff), the bone anchoring instrument may be used to anchor the soft tissue to a region of bone. The anchors inserted into the underlying bone may have one or more lengths of suture or wire attached thereto which may be tensioned independently of one another to affix the soft tissue to the bone by having a selector mechanism selectively engage and disengage ratcheted tensioning wheels from one another. Suture loading mechanisms may be employed for passing suture lengths into and/or through the anchors prior to deployment into the bone where such mechanisms may employ suture snares which are configured to reconfigure from an expanded shape through which suture lengths may be easily passed to a low-profile shape which secures the suture lengths within the snare.

Abstract: Implant and delivery systems for soft tissue repair which affix soft tissue portions to a region of bone are described. Generally, the assembly includes two bone anchors preloaded through an inserter handle such that each anchor is penetrated into the bone directly. The first anchor is inserted through the tissue and into the bone, where it is locked into position. The first anchor has a suture or wire that protrudes through the tissue and threads through the second anchor and is secured to a rotatable suture reel located along the handle. The second anchor is inserted through the tissue and into the bone independently of the first anchor. Once the second anchor is deployed, the suture or wire is tensioned to secure the soft tissue to the bone and a suture plug within the second anchor is deployed to lock the suture or wire in place.

Abstract: A method for managing the circulation of gaming chips in a gambling establishment. Each gaming chip is of a specific gaming chip type selected from a plurality of predetermined gaming chip types. The gambling establishment includes a plurality of wagering stations each implementing at least one wagering game and a plurality of gaming chip distributors.

Abstract: A bone anchor insertion device comprises a handle, a nosepiece connected to a distal end of the handle, a bone anchor connected to the nosepiece, and an actuator disposed on the handle for deploying the bone anchor, which suture is also fixed to a portion of soft tissue to be attached to a portion of bone. A suture ratchet or tensioning mechanism is disposed in the handle for tensioning suture which is associated with the bone anchor. This mechanism permits precise tensioning, while also permitting one-handed operation, thereby allowing the practitioner to use his or her other hand for other activities, such as camera operation or the like.

Abstract: A bone anchor insertion device comprises a handle, a nosepiece connected to a distal end of the handle, a bone anchor connected to the nosepiece, and an actuator disposed on the handle for deploying the bone anchor, which suture is also fixed to a portion of soft tissue to be attached to a portion of bone. A suture ratchet or tensioning mechanism is disposed in the handle for tensioning suture which is associated with the bone anchor. This mechanism permits precise tensioning, while also permitting one-handed operation, thereby allowing the practitioner to use his or her other hand for other activities, such as camera operation or the like.