Abstract: Devices and methods for anchoring tissue to bone are provided. In one embodiment, a suture anchor is provided that includes a bone screw and a collar that can be configured to rotate independent of the bone screw. In one aspect, the collar can be rotatably disposed on a cylindrical seating portion of the bone screw. The collar can include an eyelet and a hook that is angularly offset from the eyelet. In use, a suture loop can be fixedly attached to the collar through the eyelet.

Abstract: A high pressure fluid jet system is provided, which is useful for cutting hard material during a surgical procedure. The cutting of hard material is more efficient as the system delivers abrasive solid particles with the high pressure fluid. A method of effecting cutting during a surgical procedure is also provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical tool that is effective to deliver a pressurized stream of fluid through a nozzle is provided, and the pressurized stream of fluid is delivered through the surgical tool and out of the nozzle to hard material within a patient to effect cutting of the hard material within the patient in a desired pattern. The fluid that cuts the hard material can include a delivery liquid having a plurality of abrasive solid particles that are formed from an organic material. The abrasive solid particles can be entrained in the pressurized fluid stream or the pressurized fluid stream can erode a solid or suspension form of the abrasive particles.

Abstract: A high pressure fluid jet system is provided, which is useful for cutting hard material during a surgical procedure. The cutting of hard material is more efficient as the system delivers abrasive solid particles with the high pressure fluid. A method of effecting cutting during a surgical procedure is also provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical tool that is effective to deliver a pressurized stream of fluid through a nozzle is provided, and the pressurized stream of fluid is delivered through the surgical tool and out of the nozzle to hard material within a patient to effect cutting of the hard material within the patient in a desired pattern. The fluid that cuts the hard material can include a delivery liquid having a plurality of abrasive solid particles that are formed from an organic material. The abrasive solid particles can be entrained in the pressurized fluid stream or the pressurized fluid stream can erode a solid or suspension form of the abrasive particles.

Abstract: Devices and methods for anchoring tissue to bone are provided. In one embodiment, a suture anchor is provided that includes a bone screw and a collar that can be configured to rotate independent of the bone screw. In one aspect, the collar can be rotatably disposed on a cylindrical seating portion of the bone screw. The collar can include an eyelet and a hook that is angularly offset from the eyelet. In use, a suture loop can be fixedly attached to the collar through the eyelet.

Abstract: A suture welding system for fixedly attaching a first length of suture to a second length of suture includes an electrosurgical energy source and a suture welding device. The suture welding device has a working end, a suture contacting element disposed on the working end, a first electrode electrically coupled to the electrosurgical energy source, and a second electrode electrically coupled to the electrosurgical energy source. The first electrode is disposed on the suture contacting element for providing electrical energy to the first and second lengths of suture, and the second electrode is disposable proximate to the suture welding site for providing a return electrical energy path to the electrosurgical energy source. When electrical energy is provided by the first electrode to the first and second lengths of suture welds, the first and second lengths of suture are welded into a fixed attachment.

Abstract: A suture welding system for fixedly attaching a first length of suture to a second length of suture includes an electrosurgical energy source and a suture welding device. The suture welding device has a working end, a suture contacting element disposed on the working end, a first electrode electrically coupled to the electrosurgical energy source, and a second electrode electrically coupled to the electrosurgical energy source. The first electrode is disposed on the suture contacting element for providing electrical energy to the first and second lengths of suture, and the second electrode is disposable proximate to the suture welding site for providing a return electrical energy path to the electrosurgical energy source. When electrical energy is provided by the first electrode to the first and second lengths of suture welds, the first and second lengths of suture are welded into a fixed attachment.