Abstract: An apparatus for suturing tissue includes first and second needles. A first structure associated with the first needle is adapted and configured to pass a leading portion of the suture from a near side of a tissue to a far side of the tissue. A second structure cooperates with the second needle to capture and secure the suture. Proximal movement of the apparatus after the suture is captured moves the suture from the far side of the tissue to the near side of the tissue.

Abstract: A meniscal repair device includes a handle with a thumbslide and a needle cartridge extending therefrom, the needle cartridge having distal tips having a specific directional orientation suited for a particular procedure. The meniscal repair device includes a needle rack and an obturator rack. A quantity of suture material is included in the meniscal repair device. The distal ends of the needle cartridge are adapted for penetrating soft tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for suturing tissue includes a housing. The apparatus also includes a first needle attached to the housing and a second needle attached to the housing. A suture having a leading portion and a trailing portion is also included. A first structure is operably associated with the first needle for passing the leading portion of the suture from a near side of body tissue to a far side of the body tissue. A second structure is operably associated with the second needle for retracting the leading portion of the suture from the far side of the body tissue back to the near side of the body tissue.

Abstract: In one form of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for suturing tissue, wherein the apparatus comprises: a housing; a first needle mounted to the housing; a second needle mounted to the housing; a suture having a leading portion and a trailing portion; a first structure associated with the first needle for passing the leading portion of the suture from a near side of the tissue to a far side of the tissue; and a second structure associated with the second needle for retracting the leading portion of the suture from the far side of the tissue back to the near side of the tissue.

Abstract: A graft ligament strand tensioner comprising: a body; and a pair of suture rails connected to the body, wherein each suture rail comprises a grooved outer channel for receiving a suture loop and a central mandrel for receiving a suture loop, wherein the separation of a suture loop received by the grooved outer channel is larger than the separation of a suture loop received by the central mandrel. A graft ligament strand tensioner comprising: a body; and a plurality of cleats connected to the body, wherein each of the cleats is configured to releasably secure a length of suture. A graft ligament strand tensioner comprising: a body; at least two suture-engaging elements for releasably engaging a pair of sutures, the at least two suture-engaging elements being connected to the body, in spaced-apart fashion, symmetrically about a center axis of the body; and a handle pivotally connected to the body, such that the handle can be laterally positioned relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a vertebra includes connecting a first bone anchor to a first vertebra, connecting a second bone anchor to a second bone anchor, positioning a spinal rod in a receiving member of the first bone anchor and in a receiving member of the second bone anchor, connecting a first instrument to the receiving member of the first bone anchor, and manipulating the first instrument to rotate first bone anchor and the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a vertebra includes connecting a first bone anchor to a first vertebra, connecting a second bone anchor to a second bone anchor, positioning a spinal rod in a receiving member of the first bone anchor and in a receiving member of the second bone anchor, connecting a first instrument to the receiving member of the first bone anchor, and manipulating the first instrument to rotate first bone anchor and the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra.

Abstract: An implantable spinal cross-connector is provided for connecting one or more spinal fixation elements, and more preferably for connecting two spinal fixation rods that are implanted within a patient's spinal system. In general, the cross-connector includes a central portion having at least one connector member formed on a terminal end thereof and having first and second opposed jaws, at least one of which is selectively movable between a first, open position wherein the first and second jaws are positioned a distance apart from one another, and a second, closed position, wherein the first and second jaws are adapted to engage a spinal fixation element therebetween. The cross-connector also includes a cantilevered member that provides a feedback response when the spinal fixation rods are positioned within the cross-connector.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing soft tissue to bone, comprising: a suture anchor comprising: a body; an elongated tip section connected to the body and extending distally of the body, the elongated tip section terminating in a distal point; a bone-engaging geometry formed on the body, the bone-engaging geometry being proximal to the elongated tip section; a driver-engaging element formed on the proximal end of the body; and a suture-connecting feature associated with the body for attaching a suture to the body; wherein the elongated tip section has a length which exceeds the thickness of the soft tissue which is to be secured to the bone, such that when the suture anchor is passed through the soft tissue, the distal point emerges from the soft tissue before the bone-engaging geometry penetrates the soft tissue.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a vertebra includes connecting a first bone anchor to a first vertebra, connecting a second bone anchor to a second bone anchor, positioning a spinal rod in a receiving member of the first bone anchor and in a receiving member of the second bone anchor, connecting a first instrument to the receiving member of the first bone anchor, and manipulating the first instrument to rotate first bone anchor and the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for folding a sheet of paper into an aerodynamic configuration. The device can be described as a forming implement with a plurality of wing and tail folding surfaces. The device includes an entrance end and an exit end and is adapted to have a sheet of material passes therethrough. In use, as the sheet of material is passed through the device it attains an aerodynamic configuration. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wing and tail folding surfaces are resiliently mounted to the device. Furthermore, the device includes a means for delivering the sheet of material from the entrance to the exit end of device.