Abstract: Devices and methods for reinforcing tissue grafts are described herein. In one embodiment, an implant is described that includes a proximal end portion having a through-hole formed therein, a distal end portion, and a reinforcing insert disposed in the through-hole. The insert includes a proximal face, a distal face opposed to the proximal face, a first upper surface extending between the proximal and distal faces and having a generally convex shape that abuts against at least a portion of a sidewall of the through-hole, and a second lower surface extending between the proximal and distal faces and having a generally concave shape. The second lower surface and portions of the sidewall of the through-hole not abutted by the first upper surface form a reinforced through-hole of the implant.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reinforcing tissue grafts are described herein. In one embodiment, an implant is described that includes a proximal end portion having a through-hole formed therein, a distal end portion, and a reinforcing insert disposed in the through-hole. The insert includes a proximal face, a distal face opposed to the proximal face, a first upper surface extending between the proximal and distal faces and having a generally convex shape that abuts against at least a portion of a sidewall of the through-hole, and a second lower surface extending between the proximal and distal faces and having a generally concave shape. The second lower surface and portions of the sidewall of the through-hole not abutted by the first upper surface form a reinforced through-hole of the implant.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reinforcing tissue grafts are described herein. In one embodiment, an implant is described that includes a proximal end portion having a through-hole formed therein, a distal end portion, and a reinforcing insert disposed in the through-hole. The insert includes a proximal face, a distal face opposed to the proximal face, a first upper surface extending between the proximal and distal faces and having a generally convex shape that abuts against at least a portion of a sidewall of the through-hole, and a second lower surface extending between the proximal and distal faces and having a generally concave shape. The second lower surface and portions of the sidewall of the through-hole not abutted by the first upper surface form a reinforced through-hole of the implant.

Abstract: A perforation instrument and method of using same, including a shaft capable of being inserted into a joint of a patient, having a longitudinal axis, and carrying at least one piercing member, each piercing member having a tip suitable to pierce sub-chondral bone. The instrument is capable of being altered between an exposed condition wherein the tip of the at least one piercing member is exposed and a safety condition wherein the tip of the at least one piercing member is not capable of piercing tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for manipulating a vertebra. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a frame configured to couple two or more surgical instruments attached to one or more vertebrae. Coupling the two or more surgical instruments together, the frame and/or at least one of the surgical instruments can be manipulated to move at least one of the surgical instruments, thereby effecting movement at least one of the vertebra or vertebrae to which the surgical instruments coupled to the frame are attached. In this way, the surgical device can be used to facilitate rotation of a vertebra relative to another vertebra to correct the angular relationship of the vertebrae.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for forming holes in bone to stimulate bone growth. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument set can include a driver having a first mating element, and a bone pick have a second mating element configured to releasably mate with the first mating element at any of a plurality of angular orientations. When releasably mated together, the driver and the bone pick can be configured to be adjustably positioned relative to one another with three degrees of freedom, e.g., pitch, yaw, and roll. The bone pick can include a piercing tip configured to form a hole in a bone, such as in microfracture. When the driver and the bone pick are releasably mated together, the driver can be configured to be struck, impacted, or otherwise manipulated to drive the piercing tip into the bone.

Abstract: Methods for passing multiple sutures through tissue are provided herein. In particular, the methods described herein allow multiple sutures to be passed through tissue without removing a suture passing instrument from a patient's body. In one embodiment, a method for passing a suture through tissue is provided that includes loading first and second suture limbs into a suture passing instrument, positioning the instrument within a patient's body, actuating the instrument to pass a portion of the first suture limb through the tissue, pulling the first suture limb through the tissue, pulling the second suture limb to reload the suture passing instrument without removing the instrument from the patient's body, actuating the instrument a second time to pass a portion of the second suture limb through the tissue, and pulling the second suture limb through the tissue.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for removing abnormalities from bone. In general, the methods and devices can be used to allow excess bone to be scraped from a bone surface. In an exemplary embodiment, a scraper tool is provided that includes an elongate shaft having a plurality of blades movably disposed therein. The blades can be configured to move as a unit between a retracted configuration, in which the blades can be entirely disposed within the elongate shaft, and an advanced configuration, in which at least a portion of the blades can extend distally from the elongate shaft and/or flare away from one another. A distal portion of each of the blades can have a radius of curvature corresponding to a radius of curvature of the bone to be scraped.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for manipulating a vertebra. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a frame configured to couple two or more surgical instruments attached to one or more vertebrae. Coupling the two or more surgical instruments together, the frame and/or at least one of the surgical instruments can be manipulated to move at least one of the surgical instruments, thereby effecting movement at least one of the vertebra or vertebrae to which the surgical instruments coupled to the frame are attached. In this way, the surgical device can be used to facilitate rotation of a vertebra relative to another vertebra to correct the angular relationship of the vertebrae.

Abstract: Methods for passing multiple sutures through tissue are provided herein. In particular, the methods described herein allow multiple sutures to be passed through tissue without removing a suture passing instrument from a patient's body. In one embodiment, a method for passing a suture through tissue is provided that includes loading first and second suture limbs into a suture passing instrument, positioning the instrument within a patient's body, actuating the instrument to pass a portion of the first suture limb through the tissue, pulling the first suture limb through the tissue, pulling the second suture limb to reload the suture passing instrument without removing the instrument from the patient's body, actuating the instrument a second time to pass a portion of the second suture limb through the tissue, and pulling the second suture limb through the tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for manipulating a vertebra. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a frame configured to couple two or more surgical instruments attached to one or more vertebrae. Coupling the two or more surgical instruments together, the frame and/or at least one of the surgical instruments can be manipulated to move at least one of the surgical instruments, thereby effecting movement at least one of the vertebra or vertebrae to which the surgical instruments coupled to the frame are attached. In this way, the surgical device can be used to facilitate rotation of a vertebra relative to another vertebra to correct the angular relationship of the vertebrae.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for forming holes in bone to stimulate bone growth. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument set can include a driver having a first mating element, and a bone pick have a second mating element configured to releas ably mate with the first mating element at any of a plurality of angular orientations. When releasably mated together, the driver and the bone pick can be configured to be adjustably positioned relative to one another with three degrees of freedom, e.g., pitch, yaw, and roll. The bone pick can include a piercing tip configured to form a hole in a bone, such as in microfracture. When the driver and the bone pick are releasably mated together, the driver can be configured to be struck, impacted, or otherwise manipulated to drive the piercing tip into the bone.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reinforcing tissue grafts are described herein. In one embodiment, an implant is described that includes a proximal end portion having a through-hole formed therein, a distal end portion, and a reinforcing insert disposed in the through-hole. The insert includes a proximal face, a distal face opposed to the proximal face, a first upper surface extending between the proximal and distal faces and having a generally convex shape that abuts against at least a portion of a sidewall of the through-hole, and a second lower surface extending between the proximal and distal faces and having a generally concave shape. The second lower surface and portions of the sidewall of the through-hole not abutted by the first upper surface form a reinforced through-hole of the implant.

Abstract: Methods for passing multiple sutures through tissue are provided herein. In particular, the methods described herein allow multiple sutures to be passed through tissue without removing a suture passing instrument from a patient's body. In one embodiment, a method for passing a suture through tissue is provided that includes loading first and second suture limbs into a suture passing instrument, positioning the instrument within a patient's body, actuating the instrument to pass a portion of the first suture limb through the tissue, pulling the first suture limb through the tissue, pulling the second suture limb to reload the suture passing instrument without removing the instrument from the patient's body, actuating the instrument a second time to pass a portion of the second suture limb through the tissue, and pulling the second suture limb through the tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for forming holes in bone to stimulate bone growth. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument set can include a driver having a first mating element, and a bone pick have a second mating element configured to releasably mate with the first mating element at any of a plurality of angular orientations. When releasably mated together, the driver and the bone pick can be configured to be adjustably positioned relative to one another with three degrees of freedom, e.g., pitch, yaw, and roll. The bone pick can include a piercing tip configured to form a hole in a bone, such as in microfracture. When the driver and the bone pick are releasably mated together, the driver can be configured to be struck, impacted, or otherwise manipulated to drive the piercing tip into the bone.

Abstract: A perforation instrument and method of using same, including a shaft capable of being inserted into a joint of a patient, having a longitudinal axis, and carrying at least one piercing member, each piercing member having a tip suitable to pierce sub-chondral bone. The instrument is capable of being altered between an exposed condition wherein the tip of the at least one piercing member is exposed and a safety condition wherein the tip of the at least one piercing member is not capable of piercing tissue.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for removing abnormalities from bone. In general, the methods and devices can be used to allow excess bone to be scraped from a bone surface. In an exemplary embodiment, a scraper tool is provided that includes an elongate shaft having a plurality of blades movably disposed therein. The blades can be configured to move as a unit between a retracted configuration, in which the blades can be entirely disposed within the elongate shaft, and an advanced configuration, in which at least a portion of the blades can extend distally from the elongate shaft and/or flare away from one another. A distal portion of each of the blades can have a radius of curvature corresponding to a radius of curvature of the bone to be scraped.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for removing abnormalities from bone. In general, the methods and devices can be used to allow excess bone to be scraped from a bone surface. In an exemplary embodiment, a scraper tool is provided that includes an elongate shaft having a plurality of blades movably disposed therein. The blades can be configured to move as a unit between a retracted configuration, in which the blades can be entirely disposed within the elongate shaft, and an advanced configuration, in which at least a portion of the blades can extend distally from the elongate shaft and/or flare away from one another. A distal portion of each of the blades can have a radius of curvature corresponding to a radius of curvature of the bone to be scraped.

Abstract: A perforation instrument and method of using same, including a shaft capable of being inserted into a joint of a patient, having a longitudinal axis, and carrying at least one piercing member, each piercing member having a tip suitable to pierce sub-chondral bone. The instrument is capable of being altered between an exposed condition wherein the tip of the at least one piercing member is exposed and a safety condition wherein the tip of the at least one piercing member is not capable of piercing tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for forming holes in bone to stimulate bone growth. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument set can include a driver having a first mating element, and a bone pick have a second mating element configured to releasably mate with the first mating element at any of a plurality of angular orientations. When releasably mated together, the driver and the bone pick can be configured to be adjustably positioned relative to one another with three degrees of freedom, e.g., pitch, yaw, and roll. The bone pick can include a piercing tip configured to form a hole in a bone, such as in microfracture. When the driver and the bone pick are releasably mated together, the driver can be configured to be struck, impacted, or otherwise manipulated to drive the piercing tip into the bone.