Abstract: The invention provides an article of manufacture comprising a substantially non-immunogenic articular cartilage heterograft for implantation into humans. The invention further provides a method for preparing an articular cartilage heterograft by removing at least a portion of an articular cartilage from a non-human animal to provide a heterograft; washing the heterograft in saline and alcohol; subjecting the heterograft to at least one treatment selected from the group consisting of exposure to ultraviolet radiation, immersion in alcohol, ozonation, freeze/thaw cycling, and optionally to chemical crosslinking. In accordance with the invention the heterograft has substantially the same mechanical properties as the native xenogeneic articular cartilage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a meniscal augmentation device of biocompatible and at least partially bioresorbable fibers for implantation into a segmental defect of a meniscus in a subject. Upon implantation, the composite of the device and the meniscus establishes a scaffold adapted for ingrowth of meniscal fibrochondrocytes. The invention further pertains to methods of fabricating and using the device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of repairing tears or ruptures in an anterior cruciate ligament of the human knee, by reattaching the ligament to its anatomic insertion site on the intercondylar notch of the femur using a suture anchor, with healing at the insertion site being enhanced by formation of a cancellous bleeding bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a meniscal augmentation device of biocompatible and at least partially bioresorbable fibers for implantation into a segmental defect of a meniscus in a subject. Upon implantation, the composite of the device and the meniscus establishes a scaffold adapted for ingrowth of meniscal fibrochondrocytes. The invention further pertains to methods of fabricating and using the device.

Abstract: A prosthetic, resorbable articular cartilage and methods of its fabrication and insertion are disclosed. The prosthetic articular cartilage, when implanted in a humanoid joint, acts as a resorbable scaffold for ingrowth of native articular chondrocytes and supports natural articulating joint forces. The prosthetic articular cartilage is a dry, porous, volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers. These fibers include a natural polymer or analogs thereof, at least a portion of which may be crosslinked. The matrix is adapted to have an in vivo outer surface contour substantially the same as that of natural articular cartilage in an articulating joint, and has a pore size in the approximate range of about 100 microns to about 400 microns.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the angle of flexure between an elongated body limb and the portion of the body to which the limb is affected. The apparatus can be used to monitor flexure between a thigh and lower portion of a human leg. The apparatus is useful during the performance of rehabilitative knee-bends includes means for coupling the apparatus to the thigh, and two gravity actuated switches for monitoring the angle between a long axis of the thigh and vertical axis. The apparatus indicates when the extreme points of the knee-bend have been crossed.

Abstract: Suture anchor assembly for attaching soft tissue to bone. The assembly includes an elongated member having a self-tapping threaded portion at one proximal end, and an integral eyelet for receiving a suture at its distal end. The distal end further includes a receiver for a rotating driver device, such as a cannulated drill. The assembly is designed for endoscopic insertion of the anchor, with the suture extending along the central axis of the driver.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the angle of flexure between an elongated body limb and the portion of the body to which the limb is affected. The apparatus can be used to monitor flexure between a thigh and lower portion of a human leg. The apparatus is useful during the performance of rehabilitative knee-bends includes means for coupling the apparatus to the thigh, and two gravity actuated switches for monitoring the angle between a long axis of the thigh and a vertical axis. The apparatus indicates when the extreme points of the knee-bend have been crossed.

Abstract: Suture anchor assembly for attaching soft tissue to bone. The assembly includes an elongated member having a self-tapping threaded portion at one proximal end, and an integral eyelet for receiving a suture at its distal end. The distal end further includes a receiver for a rotating driver device, such as a cannulated drill. The assembly is designed for endoscopic insertion of the anchor with the suture extending along the central axis of the driver.

Abstract: A prosthetic, resorbable articular cartilage and methods of its fabrication and insertion are disclosed. The prosthetic articular cartilage, when implanted in a humanoid joint, acts as a resorbable scaffold for ingrowth of native articular chondrocytes and supports natural articulating joint forces. The prosthetic articular cartilage is a dry, porous, volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers. These fibers include a natural polymer or analogs thereof, at least a portion of which may be crosslinked. The matrix is adapted to have an in vivo outer surface contour substantially the same as that of natural articular cartilage in an articulating joint, and has a pore size in the approximate range of about 100 microns to about 400 microns.

Abstract: Disclosed is a prosthetic ligament comprising a Plurality of substantially aligned, elongated filaments. Each filament is a dry, porous, volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibrils, at least some of which are crosslinked. The fibrils are short segments of longer fibers of polymeric connective tissue components, or analogs thereof. Each filament establishes a bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of ligament fibroblasts, the scaffold and the ingrown fibroblasts supporting natural ligament tensile forces. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating the prosthetic ligament, and methods of regenerating ligamentous tissue in vivo.

Abstract: A prosthetic intervertebral disc is disclosed which can be implanted in the human skeleton, and which can act as a scaffold for regrowth of intervertebral disc material. The disc includes a dry, porous, volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers which may be interspersed with glyscosaminoglycan molecules. The matrix is adapted to have in vivo an outer surface contour substantially the same as that of a natural intervertebral disc, whereby the matrix establishes an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of intervertebral fibrochondrocytes. Cross-links may be provided by a portion of the GAG molecules.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the angle A of flexure of a joint between longitudinal axes of adjacent, jointed body parts includes first and second coupling mechanisms for fixture respectively to the first and second body parts. Each of the coupling mechanisms is fixed to its respective body part at a specified distance from the joint being measured. The apparatus further includes a measuring device for generating a signal representative of the direct, linear distance between the coupling mechanisms as the joint passes through a range of motion. A computing device operates in response to the signal generated by the measuring device to determine the angle A in accordance with the law of cosines. An advantage of the apparatus is that it is significantly tolerant of improper placement of the coupling mechanisms.

Abstract: A prosthetic, resorbable meniscus and method of its fabrication are disclosed. The prosthetic meniscus can be implanted in a human knee where it can act as a scaffold for regrowth of native meniscal tissues. The meniscus comprises a dry, porous, matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers, at least a portion of which may be crosslinked. The fibers include natural polymers or analogs or mixtures thereof. The matrix is adapted to have in vivo an outer surface contour substantially the same as that of a natural meniscus. The matrix has pore size in the approximate range of greater than 50 microns to less than about 500 microns. With this configuration, the matrix establishes an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of meniscal fibrochondrocytes.

Abstract: A prosthetic, resorbable meniscus and method of its fabrication are disclosed. The prosthetic meniscus can be implanted in a human knee where it can act as a scaffold for regrowth of native meniscal tissues. The meniscus comprises a dry, porous, matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers, at least a portion of which may be crosslinked. The fibers include natural polymers or analogs or mixtures thereof. The matrix is adapted to have in vivo an outer surface contour substantially the same as that of a natural meniscus. The matrix has pore size in the approximate range of greater than 50 microns to less than about 500 microns. With this configuration, the matrix establishes an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of meniscal fibrochondrocytes.

Abstract: A prosthetic intervertebral disc is disclosed which can be implanted in the human skeleton, and which can act as a scaffold for regrowth of intervertebral disc material. The disc includes a dry, porous, volume matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers which may be interspersed with glyscosaminoglycan molecules. The matrix is adapted to have in vivo an outer surface contour substantially the same as that of a natural intervertebral disc, whereby said matrix establishes an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of intervertebral fibrochondrocytes. Cross-links may be provided by a portion of the GAG molecules.

Abstract: A prosthetic, resorbable meniscus and method of its fabrication are disclosed. The prosthetic meniscus can be implanted in a human knee where it can act as a scaffold for regrowth of native meniscal tissues. The meniscus comprises a dry, porous, matrix of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers, at least a portion of which may be crosslinked. The fibers include natural polymers or analogs or mixtures thereof. The matrix is adapted to have in vivo an outer surface contour substantially the same as that of a natural meniscus. The matrix has pore size in the approximate range of greater than 50 microns to less than about 500 microns. With this configuration, the matrix establishes an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold adapted for ingrowth of meniscal fibrochondrocytes.

Abstract: A prosthetic meniscus is disclosed which can be implanted in a humanoid knee, and which can act as a scaffold for regrowth of native meniscal tissues. The meniscus comprises a three dimensional array of collagen fibers interspersed with glycosaminoglycan molecules. The collagen fibers are present at a concentration of about 65 to 98 percent by dry weight, and the glycosaminoglycan molecules are present at a concentration of about 1 to 25 percent by dry weight. Crosslinks are provided by at least a portion of the glycosaminoglycan molecules, and may consist of at least one of the group comprising chondroitan 4-sulfate, chondroitan 6-sulfate, keritan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid.