Abstract: A continuous loop and button construct and technique for ligament repair and fixation, including bone to bone, or soft tissue to bone. The continuous loop, which is attached to the button, is formed of a flexible material and is provided with at least one joined region (a bridged, stitched, bonded or knotted region) to form a closed loop figure-8 construct with proximal and distal openings with respect to the fixation device. The figure-8 construct (either bridged, stitched, bonded or knotted) is adapted for attachment to a bone block of a BTB graft, for example, and used for ligament reconstruction.

Abstract: A three-dimensional mesh or screen in the shape of a simple flat piece of material that can be provided adjacent the graft (i.e., in between graft bundles, or around the graft, or between the graft and the fixation device) for improved strength and structural support for graft fixation. The mesh provides improved methods for installing and securing ligament grafts (such as double-bundle cruciate ligament grafts) with enhanced reconstruction results.

Abstract: An adjustable construct for fixation of a tendon or ligament graft in a tunnel. The construct comprises a flexible, adjustable loop connected to tissue (for example, graft, ligament or tendon). The adjustable loop may be integrated with an additional tissue supporting device (for example, a wedge or a plug). The tissue is secured within a bone socket/tunnel by adjusting the length of the flexible adjustable loop.

Abstract: An adjustable button/loop device for securing biologic material in bone, such as for ACL reconstruction. The device has a pair of button/loop constructs, each including a flexible, adjustable loop integrated with a fixation device (for example, a wedge). Biologic material (for example, soft tissue, graft, ligament or tendon) is secured to the two fixation devices, and the construct is inserted into a pair of bone sockets/tunnels, such as into a tunnel in the tibia and a socket in the femur. The biologic material is secured within the bone by passing the buttons though respective bone sockets/tunnels, flipping and seating the buttons outside the bone, and then adjusting the lengths of the flexible adjustable loops passing through the buttons and the respective fixation devices, with the graft extending between the fixation devices thereby appropriately secured in the bone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anatomical tissue repair, such as ligament repair and reconstruction with suture and/or graft passage, employing a pin with a suture passing mechanism. The suture passing mechanism may include a loop (for example, a wire loop or suture loop) securely attached to a pin (for example, a drill pin). The loop may be crimped onto the pin, or welded on the end of the drill pin (in place of the eyelet formed within the pin), to alleviate the difficulty in threading the eyelet and to lower the manufacturing cost of the pin. The suture passing mechanism may alternatively include a slotted suture eyelet (i.e., a longitudinal slot) provided at a proximal end of a pin, to allow suture loading from the side of the instrument.

Abstract: Systems and methods for repairing tears in soft tissue, e.g., meniscal tissue, by employing cinch stitching. More specifically, the present invention provides apparatus and methods for meniscal repair using a suture implant construct. The suture implant construct includes a first and second implant which are connected to each other via a length of suture. The implants are designed to be loaded on external surfaces of the first and second trocars.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for arthroscopic unicompartmental knee surgery which include a femoral component and a tibial component. The femoral component is installed in a trough in the femoral condyle formed by using a template, a plurality of drill pins and a plurality of corresponding cutters. The template is aligned with the curvature of the femoral condyle, the two drill pins are passed through the template and drilled into the femur, cutters are advanced over the corresponding drill pins to make holes in the femur, and the remaining hourglass shaped bone is removed with osteotomy pliers to form the trough. A tibial socket for the tibial component is formed in a retrograde manner.