Abstract: A support assembly for a replacement ligament is disclosed, for positioning the ligament in a bone tunnel formed in a joint between two adjacent bones and reinforcing the joint. The support assembly has a particular use in the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Abstract: A woven surgical cord having interwoven warps (208, 210) and wefts (209, 210) extending over the length of the cord. The cord has an alternating width profile along its length that significantly reduces the tendency for the cord to slip when knotted. The undulations in the width are created by repeating different weave patterns along the length of the cord involving variation of the spacing between the wefts and warps, the relative number of warps and wefts and adjustment of the tension applied to the yarn at the different sections of the cord during manufacture.

Abstract: A set of surgical instruments for use in the implantation of a tissue repair kit after preparation of a bone site having damaged tissue, in which damaged tissue is first removed and an annular groove is formed around the defect site prior to application of the repair kit comprising a bio-compatible pad to fit on the prepared bone site, and an overlying cover sheet to fit in the groove. The set of surgical instruments includes: an introducer cylinder having a hollow driving head at one end for introducing an outer portion of the cover sheet into the groove; a plunger relatively slidable within the cylinder and having a delivery end engageable with the cover sheet so as to move a main portion of the cover sheet towards the bone site with the outer portion of the cover sheet trailing behind the main portion, and a pad-receiving recess defined between the delivery end of the plunger and the inner wall of the cylinder so that a pad can be introduced into the recess to overlie the main portion of the cover sheet.

Abstract: A repair kit for use in the repair of damaged cartilage present at or on the surface of a bone site in an animal or human, in which the damaged cartilage is removed from the site and a groove is formed about the site and into the bone prior to implantation of the repair kit. The repair kit includes: a pad of bio-compatible material shaped and dimensioned to occupy at least part of the site from which the damaged tissue has been removed. Elongate connecting portions are attached to the periphery of the pad in an array corresponding in shape to the groove. The connecting portions extend away from the general plane of the pad so as to be introduced into the groove and to be anchored therein. A retaining element is slidable depthwise of the groove to anchor at least some of the connecting portions in the groove and thereby locate and retain the pad in the part of the bone site.