Abstract: A driver assembly including a handle configured to receive a detachable cannula, a trigger arm connected to the handle, and an advancement mechanism mechanically coupled to the trigger arm. The advancement mechanism is constructed to receive and incrementally translate the surgical device through the cannula into body tissue to be repaired in response to a force applied to the trigger arm. The driver assembly of the present invention is useful whenever it is desired to incrementally advance a surgical device such as a long needle or obturator into tissue. The incremental advancement feature of the driver assembly enables an operator to control the precise placement of the surgical device. The driver assembly is particularly useful in applications where advancing the needle or obturator is difficult due to space restriction or when an easily operable surgical device is required.

Abstract: A hand augmentation device to be used to replace diseased tissue of a hand bone. The device includes a dry matrix, which contains at least 75% by weight biocompatible and bioresorbable biopolymeric fibers such as collagen fibers or polysaccharide fibers, and has a height of 2 mm to 4 cm, a width of 0.5 cm to 6 cm, a depth of 0.5 cm to 6 cm, a density of 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3, and a pore size of 50 .mu.m to 300 .mu.m.