Abstract: A knotless suture system for anchoring tissue to bone is provided. The system includes a suture anchor configured to radially expand into bone. The suture anchor has a proximal end and a distal end with a bore formed therein. The system further includes a first loop of suture thread attached to the distal end of the suture anchor, a suture needle, and a second loop of suture thread attached to the needle and interlocked with the first loop of suture thread. The system also includes an expander pin that is configured and sized for insertion into the bore of the suture anchor, causing the anchor to radially expand from a first outer diameter to a second outer diameter. A method is also provided by which a detached tissue may be securely attached to bone in an anatomically correct position without the need to tie a knot.

Abstract: A suture anchor system includes a suture anchor, a first loop of suture thread attached to the suture anchor, a suture needle, and a second loop of suture thread which is attached to the suture needle. The first and second suture loops are interlocked with one another. The suture anchor is preferably bioabsorbable, and it has a flared feature on one side of the second or proximal end thereof. The flared feature renders the suture anchor asymmetrical in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis of the anchor. A method for anchoring soft tissue is also disclosed.

Abstract: A suture anchor system includes a suture anchor, a first loop of suture thread attached to the suture anchor, a suture needle, and a second loop of suture thread which is attached to the suture needle. The first and second suture loops are interlocked with one another. The suture anchor is preferably bioabsorbable, and it has a flared feature on one side of the second or proximal end thereof. The flared feature renders the suture anchor asymmetrical in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis of the anchor. A method for anchoring soft tissue is also disclosed.

Abstract: A suture anchor system includes a suture anchor, having a flexible suture eyelet attached thereto, which serves as a flexible interface for a suture strand. The suture anchor is preferably bioabsorbable, and it has a flared feature on one side of the second or proximal end thereof. The flared feature renders the suture anchor asymmetrical in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis of the anchor. A method for anchoring soft tissue is also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustably expandable suture anchor is provided. The suture anchor includes a pair of members, one of which includes a suture mount, which are configured to be secured together in a selected one of a plurality of positions to cause one of the members to expand by an amount that corresponds to the selected position. In one embodiment, the expandable member is an outer member, and the other member is an inner member which is progressively insertable into an opening in a body of the outer member and securable in the selected position therein. For example, the inner member is threaded into the outer member body or is inserted into the body in ratchet-like fashion. As the inner member is inserted distally into the outer member, an exterior enlargement on the inner member engages a plurality of arms which extend proximally from body, and causes the arms to progressively expand radially outwardly.

Abstract: A system for inserting suture anchors includes a suture anchor insertion tool, a suture anchor, a length of suture thread and any needles pre-attached thereto. The suture anchor insertion tool having a handle, an elongate suture anchor inserting member, a suture thread retaining cap provided on the handle, an internal retaining cavity formed integrally with the handle and a cover member that is selectively positionable so as to enclose the internal cavity.

Abstract: A system for anchoring tissue to bone includes a suture anchor, a first loop of suture thread attached to the suture anchor, a suture needle and a second loop of suture thread which is attached to the suture needle, the first and second suture loops are interlocked with one another. The suture needle can be of a conventional type useful in open surgical procedures, or a type useful in closed surgical procedures that is formed on the end off an elongate tool. A method for anchoring soft tissue to bone using the system is also provided.

Abstract: A protective carrier having a sleeve body with a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending longitudinally between them. One or more elements are disposed in the passageway proximate to the distal end for interlocking with a suture anchor to capture the suture anchor at least partially within the sleeve body. The carrier further includes one or more elements for aligning the sleeve body with a distal portion of a suture anchor driver to inhibit rotation of the sleeve body relative to the driver during and after insertion of the distal driver portion through the passageway.

Abstract: A surgical drill assembly is provided having a clutch mechanism that requires a sufficient axial load on cutting surfaces of the drill to enable rotation of the drill. Rotation of the drill ceases almost immediately upon the axial load falling below the predetermined axial load threshold. In one embodiment the drill assembly is disposable, and is virtually impossible to disassemble and reassemble to an operative form. In another embodiment the drill assembly is reusable. The reusable embodiment includes a drill body that enables quick and easy attachment and detachment of a drill head. The reusable drill body is of a unitary construction that can be sterilized and reused without any disassembly.

Abstract: A pin assembly for use in a skull clamp having a cylindrical non-metallic housing and a metallic rigid pin with a conical point fitted in the non-metallic housing. The non-metallic housing has fingers extending from a cavity in the surface of the housing and are positioned at an angle towards the pin end of the housing to hold the pin assembly in the skull clamp.