Abstract: A method for securing a first object to a second object, the method comprising providing a suture and a plurality of cleats slidably mounted on the suture; passing one end of the suture and a first cleat through the first object and the second object; tensioning the suture so as to secure the suture to the first cleat; passing a subsequent portion of the suture and a second cleat through the first object and the second object; and tensioning the suture so as to secure the suture to the second cleat.

Abstract: An anchor for securing suture to tissue, the anchor comprising: an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having a distal slot extending proximally into the elongated body, and the proximal end having a proximal slot extending distally into the body; the distal slot comprising a wide section and a narrow section, wherein the wide section has a width such that the suture is slidably accommodated therein and the narrow section has a width such that the suture is bound therein, and further wherein the wide section is disposed distally of the narrow section.

Abstract: A helicoil interference fixation system comprising: a helicoil comprising a helical body comprising a plurality of turns separated by spaces therebetween, the helical body terminating in a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one internal strut extending between at least two turns of the helical body; and an inserter for turning the helicoil, the inserter comprising at least one groove for receiving the at least one strut; the helicoil being mounted on the inserter such that the at least one strut of the helicoil is mounted in the at least one groove of the inserter, such that rotation of the inserter causes rotation of the helicoil.

Abstract: A method for forming a suture knot, the method comprising: folding a strand of suture in half; forming two dog-ear loops at the bend of the suture strand; folding down the two dog-ear loops so as to form two stacked loops; connecting the loops through a suture bridge that crosses the two limbs of the strand of suture; placing the ends of the two limbs through the stacked dog-ear loops; and flipping the suture bridge to the opposite side of the knot body.

Abstract: A system and method for attaching soft tissue to bone is provided. In general, the apparatus includes an expandable body that is configured to expand into bone, and an expander pin that is adapted to be driven into the expandable body. The device can also include a tissue attachment apparatus that can be used to secure tissue to the device, thereby providing a method for attaching tissue to bone.

Abstract: The present application provides an apparatus for forming and method of creating a wedge-like opening in a bone for an open wedge osteotomy by identifying a cutting plane through the bone; and inserting an apex pin along the cutting plane to limit cutting and minimize stress risers in the bone.

Abstract: A system and method for attaching soft tissue to bone is provided. In general, the apparatus includes an expandable body that is configured to expand into bone, and an expander pin that is adapted to be driven into the expandable body. The device can also include a tissue attachment apparatus that can be used to secure tissue to the device, thereby providing a method for attaching tissue to bone.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching an object to bone, the apparatus comprising: a suture assembly comprising: a first suture having a generally U-shaped configuration comprising a first arm, a second arm and a bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm; a second suture comprising a first arm, a second arm and a bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm; the first arm of the second suture being wrapped around the first arm of the first suture in a first direction, and the second arm of the second suture being wrapped around the second arm of the first suture in a second, opposite direction; the suture assembly being capable of assuming (i) a longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration, and (ii) a longitudinally-contracted, radially-expanded second configuration; wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm comprises a hollow tubular structure.

Abstract: A suture assembly comprising: a first suture having a generally O-shaped configuration comprising a first arm, a second arm, a first bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm, and a second bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm, the first bridge opposing the second bridge so that the first suture comprises a closed loop; a second suture comprising a first arm, a second arm and a bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm; the first arm of the second suture being wrapped around the first arm of the first suture in a first direction, and the second arm of the second suture being wrapped around the second arm of the first suture in a second, opposite direction; the suture assembly being capable of assuming (i) a longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration, and (ii) a longitudinally-contracted, radially-expanded second configuration.

Abstract: A suture assembly comprising: a first suture having a generally U-shaped configuration comprising a first arm, a second arm and a bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm; a second suture comprising a first arm, a second arm and a bridge connecting the first arm to the second arm; the first arm of the second suture being wrapped around the first arm of the first suture in a first direction, and the second arm of the second suture being wrapped around the second arm of the first suture in a second, opposite direction; the suture assembly being capable of assuming (i) a longitudinally-extended, radially-contracted first configuration, and (ii) a longitudinally-contracted, radially-expanded second configuration.

Abstract: A bone anchor that uses temperature transition of a shape memory material to expand the anchor within a bone. Thermal transformation of the metallic crystal state (and hence the stress/strain properties) of shape memory alloy (e.g., Nitinol, NiTi) expands engagement elements within the bone to fix the bone anchor in place. Various self-locking assemblies for attached suture material to the bone anchor are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method for attaching soft tissue to bone by passing a suture through an opening in the bone, e.g., a transosseous tunnel, and affixing the soft tissue with the suture. The improvement, for preventing the suture from migrating through the bone at the end of the opening, includes placing a eyelet into an end of the bone opening and passing the suture through the eyelet, as well as through the opening in the bone, in order to affix the soft tissue to the bone with the suture.

Abstract: A system and method for attaching soft tissue to bone is provided. In general, the apparatus includes an expandable body that is configured to expand into bone, and an expander pin that is adapted to be driven into the expandable body. The device can also include a tissue attachment apparatus that can be used to secure tissue to the device, thereby providing a method for attaching tissue to bone.

Abstract: A system and method for attaching soft tissue to bone is provided. In general, the apparatus includes an expandable body that is configured to expand into bone, and an expander pin that is adapted to be driven into the expandable body. The device can also include a tissue attachment apparatus that can be used to secure tissue to the device, thereby providing a method for attaching tissue to bone.

Abstract: A method for forming a suture knot, the method comprising: folding a strand of suture in half; forming two dog-ear loops at the bend of the suture strand; folding down the two dog-ear loops so as to form two stacked loops; connecting the loops through a suture bridge that crosses the two limbs of the strand of suture; placing the ends of the two limbs through the stacked dog-ear loops; and flipping the suture bridge to the opposite side of the knot body.

Abstract: Apparatuses for attaching tissue to bone are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes an expandable body defining a bore, an expander pin having a shaft sized to be received in the bore of the expandable body, and an insertion shaft slidingly disposed in the bore of the expandable body and in a bore of the expander pin. The body is configured to expand laterally into and attach to bone when the expander pin is driven into the expandable body. The body includes a proximal main member having a distally extending threaded projection and a harder, distal tip member having a threaded recess in a proximal surface thereof such that the projection is threadedly interengageable with the recess. The expansion of the body by way of the pin can occur when the proximal main member and distal tip member are threadedly engaged. The insertion shaft is releasably secured to the expandable body and extends distally beyond the expandable body.

Abstract: A cleat for securing suture to tissue, the cleat comprising an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having a distal slot extending proximally into the elongated body, and the proximal end having a proximal slot extending distally into the body; the distal slot comprising a wide section and a narrow section, wherein the wide section has a width such that the suture is slidably accommodated therein and the narrow section has a width such that the suture is bound therein, and further wherein the wide section is disposed distally of the narrow section.

Abstract: A system and method for attaching soft tissue to bone is provided. In general, the apparatus includes an expandable body that is configured to expand into bone, and an expander pin that is adapted to be driven into the expandable body. The device can also include a tissue attachment apparatus that can be used to secure tissue to the device, thereby providing a method for attaching tissue to bone.

Abstract: Apparatuses for attaching tissue to bone are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes an expandable body defining a bore, an expander pin having a shaft sized to be received in the bore of the expandable body, and an insertion shaft slidingly disposed in the bore of the expandable body and in a bore of the expander pin. The body is configured to expand laterally into and attach to bone when the expander pin is driven into the expandable body. The body includes a proximal main member having a distally extending threaded projection and a harder, distal tip member having a threaded recess in a proximal surface thereof such that the projection is threadedly interengageable with the recess. The expansion of the body by way of the expander pin can occur when the proximal main member and distal tip member are threadedly engaged. The insertion shaft is releasably secured to the expandable body and extends distally beyond the expandable body.

Abstract: An improved method for attaching soft tissue to bone by passing a suture through an opening in the bone, e.g., a transosseous tunnel, and affixing the soft tissue with the suture. The improvement, for preventing the suture from migrating through the bone at the end of the opening, includes placing a eyelet into an end of the bone opening and passing the suture through the eyelet, as well as through the opening in the bone, in order to affix the soft tissue to the bone with the suture.