Abstract: A composite implant comprising an injectable matrix material which is flowable and settable, and at least one reinforcing element for integration with the injectable matrix material, the at least one reinforcing element adding sufficient strength to the injectable matrix material such that when the composite implant is disposed in a cavity in a bone, the composite implant supports the bone.

Abstract: A composite comprising: a barrier, said barrier being configured to selectively pass water, and said barrier being degradable in the presence of water; a matrix material for disposition within said barrier, wherein said matrix material has a flowable state and a set state, and wherein said matrix material is degradable in the presence of water; and at least one reinforcing element for disposition within said barrier and integration with said matrix material, wherein said at least one reinforcing element is degradable in the presence of water, and further wherein, upon the degradation of said at least one reinforcing element in the presence of water, provides an agent for modulating the degradation rate of said matrix material in the presence of water.

Abstract: A composite implant comprising an injectable matrix material which is flowable and settable, and at least one reinforcing element for integration with the injectable matrix material, the at least one reinforcing element adding sufficient strength to the injectable matrix material such that when the composite implant is disposed in a cavity in a bone, the composite implant supports the bone.

Abstract: A composite comprising: a barrier, said barrier being configured to selectively pass water, and said barrier being degradable in the presence of water; a matrix material for disposition within said barrier, wherein said matrix material has a flowable state and a set state, and wherein said matrix material is degradable in the presence of water; and at least one reinforcing element for disposition within said barrier and integration with said matrix material, wherein said at least one reinforcing element is degradable in the presence of water, and further wherein, upon the degradation of said at least one reinforcing element in the presence of water, provides an agent for modulating the degradation rate of said matrix material in the presence of water.

Abstract: A composite comprising: a barrier, said barrier being configured to selectively pass water, and said barrier being degradable in the presence of water; a matrix material for disposition within said barrier, wherein said matrix material has a flowable state and a set state, and wherein said matrix material is degradable in the presence of water; and at least one reinforcing element for disposition within said barrier and integration with said matrix material, wherein said at least one reinforcing element is degradable in the presence of water, and further wherein, upon the degradation of said at least one reinforcing element in the presence of water, provides an agent for modulating the degradation rate of said matrix material in the presence of water.

Abstract: A composite comprising: a barrier, said barrier being configured to selectively pass water, and said barrier being degradable in the presence of water; a matrix material for disposition within said barrier, wherein said matrix material has a flowable state and a set state, and wherein said matrix material is degradable in the presence of water; and at least one reinforcing element for disposition within said barrier and integration with said matrix material, wherein said at least one reinforcing element is degradable in the presence of water, and further wherein, upon the degradation of said at least one reinforcing element in the presence of water, provides an agent for modulating the degradation rate of said matrix material in the presence of water.

Abstract: A composite implant comprising an injectable matrix material which is flowable and sellable, and at least one reinforcing element for integration with the injectable matrix material, the at least one reinforcing element adding sufficient strength to the injectable matrix material such that when the composite implant is disposed in a cavity in a bone, the composite implant supports the bone.

Abstract: A composite implant comprising an injectable matrix material which is flowable and settable, and at least one reinforcing element for integration with the injectable matrix material, the at least one reinforcing element adding sufficient strength to the injectable matrix material such that when the composite implant is disposed in a cavity in a bone, the composite implant supports the bone. A method for treating a bone comprising: selecting at least one reinforcing element to be combined with an injectable matrix material to form a composite implant capable of supporting the bone; positioning the at least one reinforcing element in a cavity in the bone; flowing the injectable matrix material into the cavity wherein the injectable matrix material interfaces with the at least one reinforcing element; and transforming the injectable matrix material from a flowable state to a nonflowable state to establish a static structure that supports the adjacent bone.

Abstract: A small diameter delivery device capable of delivering a tissue loaded scaffold arthroscopically to a tissue defect or injury site without reducing the pressure at the injury site is provided. The scaffold delivery device of the present invention comprises a plunger system that includes two main components: an insertion tube and an insertion rod. The insertion tube has a flared proximal end for holding a tissue scaffold prior to delivery. An elongate, hollow body extends from the flared proximal end to a distal end of the insertion tube, and defines a passageway that extends through the body for delivery of the tissue scaffold. The insertion rod has an elongate body that extends into a handle at a proximal end and a tip at a distal end. The insertion rod is configured to be removably disposed within the insertion tube for sliding along the passageway to effect delivery of the tissue scaffold through the insertion tube.

Abstract: A composite comprising: a barrier, said barrier being configured to selectively pass water, and said barrier being degradable in the presence of water; a matrix material for disposition within said barrier, wherein said matrix material has a flowable state and a set state, and wherein said matrix material is degradable in the presence of water; and at least one reinforcing element for disposition within said barrier and integration with said matrix material, wherein said at least one reinforcing element is degradable in the presence of water, and further wherein, upon the degradation of said at least one reinforcing element in the presence of water, provides an agent for modulating the degradation rate of said matrix material in the presence of water.

Abstract: A composite comprising: a barrier, said barrier being configured to selectively pass water, and said barrier being degradable in the presence of water; a matrix material for disposition within said barrier, wherein said matrix material has a flowable state and a set state, and wherein said matrix material is degradable in the presence of water; and at least one reinforcing element for disposition within said barrier and integration with said matrix material, wherein said at least one reinforcing element is degradable in the presence of water, and further wherein, upon the degradation of said at least one reinforcing element in the presence of water, provides an agent for modulating the degradation rate of said matrix material in the presence of water.

Abstract: A composite implant comprising an injectable matrix material which is flowable and settable, and at least one reinforcing element for integration with the injectable matrix material, the at least one reinforcing element adding sufficient strength to the injectable matrix material such that when the composite implant is disposed in a cavity in a bone, the composite implant supports the bone. A method for treating a bone comprising: selecting at least one reinforcing element to be combined with an injectable matrix material to form a composite implant capable of supporting the bone; positioning the at least one reinforcing element in a cavity in the bone; flowing the injectable matrix material into the cavity wherein the injectable matrix material interfaces with the at least one reinforcing element; and transforming the injectable matrix material from a flowable state to a nonflowable state to establish a static structure that supports the adjacent bone.

Abstract: A small diameter delivery device capable of delivering a tissue loaded scaffold arthroscopically to a tissue defect or injury site without reducing the pressure at the injury site is provided. The scaffold delivery device of the present invention comprises a plunger system that includes two main components: an insertion tube and an insertion rod. The insertion tube has a flared proximal end for holding a tissue scaffold prior to delivery. An elongate, hollow body extends from the flared proximal end to a distal end of the insertion tube, and defines a passageway that extends through the body for delivery of the tissue scaffold. The insertion rod has an elongate body that extends into a handle at a proximal end and a tip at a distal end. The insertion rod is configured to be removably disposed within the insertion tube for sliding along the passageway to effect delivery of the tissue scaffold through the insertion tube.

Abstract: A small diameter delivery device capable of delivering a tissue loaded scaffold arthroscopically to a tissue defect or injury site without reducing the pressure at the injury site is provided. The scaffold delivery device of the present invention comprises a plunger system that includes two main components: an insertion tube and an insertion rod. The insertion tube has a flared proximal end for holding a tissue scaffold prior to delivery. An elongate, hollow body extends from the flared proximal end to a distal end of the insertion tube, and defines a passageway that extends through the body for delivery of the tissue scaffold. The insertion rod has an elongate body that extends into a handle at a proximal end and a tip at a distal end. The insertion rod is configured to be removably disposed within the insertion tube for sliding along the passageway to effect delivery of the tissue scaffold through the insertion tube.

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: 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 tissue biopsy and processing device for capturing and processing a tissue sample is provided. In general, the device includes a biopsy member adapted to remove a tissue sample from a patient's body, and a processing apparatus adapted to receive the tissue sample from the biopsy device, and to dissociate and mince the tissue sample in preparation for further use. The processing apparatus can include a tissue reducing chamber in communication with and adapted to receive the tissue sample from the biopsy member, and a tissue processing element associated with the tissue reducing chamber that is effective to dissociate the tissue sample retained within the tissue reducing chamber.

Abstract: A method of treating cardiac arrhythmia, including guiding a distal end portion of a catheter, the distal end portion having a distal tip and accommodating an elongated configuration of ablation electrodes, from the inferior vena cava into the right atrium of a human heart, guiding the distal end portion from the right atrium into the right ventricle of the heart, deflecting the distal tip into a hook configuration, pulling the catheter towards the inferior vena cava until the hook configuration engages the tricuspid annulus of the heart and the configuration of electrodes engages the isthmus of tissue between the tricuspid annulus and the inferior vena cava of the heart, and activating the configuration of electrodes to produce a substantially continuous lesion on the isthmus of tissue.

Abstract: A tissue biopsy and processing device for capturing and processing a tissue sample is provided. In general, the device includes a biopsy member adapted to remove a tissue sample from a patient's body, and a processing apparatus adapted to receive the tissue sample from the biopsy device, and to dissociate and mince the tissue sample in preparation for further use. The processing apparatus can include a tissue reducing chamber in communication with and adapted to receive the tissue sample from the biopsy member, and a tissue processing element associated with the tissue reducing chamber that is effective to dissociate the tissue sample retained within the tissue reducing chamber.