Abstract: An insertion instrument is configured to eject a pair of anchor bodies across an anatomical gap so as to approximate the gap. The insertion instrument can include a single cannula that retains the pair of anchor bodies in a stacked relationship, or a pair of adjacent cannulas that each retain respective anchor bodies. The insertion instrument can be actuated so as to eject the anchor bodies into respective target anatomical locations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for suture-based tissue repair, preferably for the annulus of a spinal disc, that includes a suture loop preferably pre-tied with a sliding knot, a clasp-type component that captures the ends of the suture loop, and an optional plug member that fills the tissue defect. Also disclosed is a method that places the suture loop in a full-thickness stitch encircling the tissue defect, secures the ends of the suture loop to the clasp, and cinches the suture loop to approximate the tissue without the need to tie knots. Also disclosed is a suture passer that enables a suture strand or loop to be passed through the tissue wall, captured, and retrieved. The suture passer may optionally incorporate a clasp in such an arrangement that enables a suture loop passed through the tissue wall to be captured directly by the clasp.

Abstract: An anchor assembly can include at least one anchor member, such as a pair of anchor members that are configured to be implanted in a target anatomical location in a first configuration, and can subsequently be actuated to an expanded configuration that secures the anchor members in the target anatomy. The anchor assembly can further include a connector member that attaches the pair of anchor members together across a gap so as to approximate the anatomical defect.

Abstract: An insertion instrument is configured to eject a pair of anchor bodies across an anatomical gap so as to approximate the gap. The insertion instrument can include a single cannula that retains the pair of anchor bodies in a stacked relationship, or a pair of adjacent cannulas that each retain respective anchor bodies. The insertion instrument can be actuated so as to eject the anchor bodies into respective target anatomical locations.

Abstract: An insertion instrument is configured to eject a pair of anchor bodies across an anatomical gap so as to approximate the gap. The insertion instrument can include a single cannula that retains the pair of anchor bodies in a stacked relationship, or a pair of adjacent cannulas that each retain respective anchor bodies. The insertion instrument can be actuated so as to eject the anchor bodies into respective target anatomical locations.

Abstract: An anchor assembly can include at least one anchor member, such as a pair of anchor members that are configured to be implanted in a target anatomical location in a first configuration, and can subsequently be actuated to an expanded configuration that secures the anchor members in the target anatomy. The anchor assembly can further include a connector member that attaches the pair of anchor members together across a gap so as to approximate the anatomical defect.

Abstract: An anchor assembly can include at least one anchor member, such as a pair of anchor members that are configured to be implanted in a target anatomical location in a first configuration, and can subsequently be actuated to an expanded configuration that secures the anchor members in the target anatomy. The anchor assembly can further include a connector member that attaches the pair of anchor members together across a gap so as to approximate the anatomical defect.

Abstract: A bi-directional suture passing instrument configured to approach soft tissues perpendicularly, enables safer and more efficient surgical repairs and minimally invasive techniques to be employed, useful in areas such as annulus repair, meniscal repair, shoulder arthroscopy, hernia repair, laparoscopic repair, and wound closure.

Abstract: A soft tissue defect repair system for approximating defects, such as defects in the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, includes a cannulated rod through which is disposed a suture retrieval device. A strand of suture includes a locking or ratcheting knot pre-tied around the outside of the cannulated rod and a free end that is guided in and out of the soft tissue. A knot pusher fits around the cannulated rod, which is used to push the knot off of the cannulated rod after the stitching of the tissue is accomplished. The defect is approximated by tensioning the free end. Various suturing methods or patterns are disclosed for defect approximation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical method or procedure for securing a prosthesis to bone. More particularly, the present invention relates to (i) a surgical method or procedure for securing a low load bearing prosthesis such as, for example, an adhesion barrier, to a patient's bone, (ii) a tack or drive screw for securing the low load bearing prosthesis and (iii) associated instrumentation for driving the tack or drive screw into the patient's bone.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assisted decision-making. A knowledge base comprises a plurality of executable stories. A given story comprises a belief network containing at least one associated hypothesis and evidence associated with the at least one hypothesis. The system further comprises at least one decision algorithm having respective associated input formats. A translation interface is operative to convert a given story from the knowledge base into a decision network having a format associated with the at least one decision algorithm.

Abstract: An insertion instrument is configured to eject a pair of anchor bodies across an anatomical gap so as to approximate the gap. The insertion instrument can include a single cannula that retains the pair of anchor bodies in a stacked relationship, or a pair of adjacent cannulas that each retain respective anchor bodies. The insertion instrument can be actuated so as to eject the anchor bodies into respective target anatomical locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining unknown unknowns for at least one assisted decision making system. An assisted decision making system has an associated set of at least one story of interest. The system further comprises a plurality of inferencing algorithms. A given inferencing algorithm is operative to generate story fragments from data stored within an associated knowledge base. A first arbitrator is associated with the first assisted decision making system. The arbitrator accepts a story fragment from the plurality of inferencing algorithms if the story fragment is sufficiently related to a story of interest from the set of at least one story of interest.

Abstract: An anchor assembly can include at least one anchor member, such as a pair of anchor members that are configured to be implanted in a target anatomical location in a first configuration, and can subsequently be actuated to an expanded configuration that secures the anchor members in the target anatomy. The anchor assembly can further include a connector member that attaches the pair of anchor members together across a gap so as to approximate the anatomical defect.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for suture-based tissue repair, preferably for the annulus of a spinal disc, that includes a suture loop preferably pre-tied with a sliding knot, a clasp-type component that captures the ends of the suture loop, and an optional plug member that fills the tissue defect. Also disclosed is a method that places the suture loop in a full-thickness stitch encircling the tissue defect, secures the ends of the suture loop to the clasp, and cinches the suture loop to approximate the tissue without the need to tie knots. Also disclosed is a suture passer that enables a suture strand or loop to be passed through the tissue wall, captured, and retrieved. The suture passer may optionally incorporate a clasp in such an arrangement that enables a suture loop passed through the tissue wall to be captured directly by the clasp.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a decision network from text. An information extraction component extracts a quantum of evidence and an associated confidence value from a given text segment. An evidence classifier associates each quantum of evidence with one of a plurality of hypotheses. A fusion engine builds a decision network from the plurality of hypotheses, an associated base structure, the extracted quanta of evidence, and the confidence values.

Abstract: A bi-directional suture passing instrument configured to approach soft tissues perpendicularly, enables safer and more efficient surgical repairs and minimally invasive techniques to be employed, useful in areas such as annulus repair, meniscal repair, shoulder arthroscopy, hernia repair, laproscopic repair, and wound closure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical method or procedure for securing a prosthesis to bone. More particularly, the present invention relates to (i) a surgical method or procedure for securing a low load bearing prosthesis such as, for example, an adhesion barrier, to a patient's bone, (ii) a tack or drive screw for securing the low load bearing prosthesis and (iii) associated instrumentation for driving the tack or drive screw into the patient's bone.

Abstract: A soft tissue defect repair system for approximating defects, such as defects in the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, includes a cannulated rod through which is disposed a suture retrieval device. A strand of suture includes a locking or ratcheting knot pre-tied around the outside of the cannulated rod and a free end that is guided in and out of the soft tissue. A knot pusher fits around the cannulated rod, which is used to push the knot off of the cannulated rod after the stitching of the tissue is accomplished. The defect is approximated by tensioning the free end. Various suturing methods or patterns are disclosed for defect approximation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for constructing and evaluating a story of interest. The system includes a plurality of decision algorithms. Each decision algorithm is operative to quantify at least one category of uncertainty associated with the story of interest as a set of at least one uncertainty parameter. An uncertainty management component is operative to reconcile the sets of uncertainty parameters from the plurality of decision algorithms as to produce a global uncertainty parameter for each of the plurality of uncertainty categories for the story of interest.