Abstract: A suture passer including a longitudinally-extending hollow cannula having a central passage slidingly receivable of a surgical suture; a manually graspable handle connected to the hollow cannula for manipulation thereof, the handle having an upper surface; first guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate a distal end of the handle, for releasably, guidingly holding the surgical suture; and second guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate to the first guide means, for releasably, guidingly holding the surgical suture. The suture passer can be provided in a kit, for use in the suturing of internal tissue, along with a cannula bender, various hollow surgical needles and surgical suture material. The suture passer finds particular use in the suturing of internal tissues which are at least partially accessible through a body cavity, e.g. arthroscopic surgery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the reconstruction of a previously torn ligament using a tissue-engineered ligament. The tissue-engineered ligament includes a scaffold of biocompatible material having at least one layer and forming a sheet. The scaffold is placed in a cultured medium for seeding with fibrocyte forming cells. The seeded scaffold is then placed in an incubator to increase the number of cells. The seeded scaffold is then formed into a slender structure suitable for implantation. The method of making a tissue-engineered ligament includes forming a scaffold of biocompatible material having at least one layer forming a sheet. Next, the scaffold sheet is seeded with fibrocyte forming cells. The method further includes increasing the number of cells on the seeded scaffold and forming a slender structure suitable for implantation from the scaffold.

Abstract: A removable protective cannula is disclosed for use in surgery to prevent damage to a portal cannula or tissue during insertion of a shaft instrument.

Abstract: A suture relay that can be advanced, by pushing, through the hollow needle of a suture passer and which is adapted to carry a braided suture across the tissue.

Abstract: A measuring gauge for measuring the relative position of two bones during surgery, the measuring gauge comprising an anchor, an adapter, an outrigger and a locking joint.

Abstract: A suture passer including a longitudinally-extending hollow cannula having a central passage slidingly receivable of a surgical suture; a manually graspable handle connected to the hollow cannula for manipulation thereof, the handle having an upper surface; a first guide, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate a distal end of the handle, for releasably, guidingly holding the surgical suture; and a second guide, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate to the first guide, for releasably, guidingly holding the surgical suture. The suture passer can be provided in a kit, for use in the suturing of internal tissue, along with a cannula bender, various hollow surgical needles and surgical suture material. The suture passer finds particular use in the suturing of internal tissues which are at least partially accessible through a body cavity, e.g. arthroscopic surgery.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing bone cement in a vacuum includes a container for mixing first and second components of a bone cement in a vacuum, the container having a sealed body defining an interior space and a selected quantity of the first component disposed in the interior space. The container is provided with an injection port for admitting the second component into the interior space vacuum source. A mixing paddle is disposed in the interior space and connected to a handle therefor extending out of the container. A plurality of indirect pathways extend between the interior space and the exhaust port which permit gas to pass therethrough out of the interior space, but prevent the bone cement first and second components from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A device and method for joint replacement surgery, such as total hip replacement surgery, including a bone cement plug which is adaptable to any size bone canal, an insertion tool for deploying the plug in the canal, and a cradle for storing the plug and insertion tool, The bone cement plug comprises a body defined by a series of separable units, each with a flange. The flanges decrease in diameter from the proximal end of the body to the distal end of the body. For smaller canals that cannot receive the large flanges, appropriate units of the plug may be removed, thus eliminating the oversized flanges in favor of the more appropriately sized flanges.

Abstract: A jamming retainer for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel without excessive sideways pressure on the ligament that may result in tissue necrosis, the jamming retainer including a substantially rigid body with a bore or loop for receiving a ligament or tendon and a bore or ring for receiving a suture for towing the jamming retainer and ligament or tendon through a bone tunnel. Once positioned, the jamming retainer is fixed in the bone tunnel with an interference screw.

Abstract: A suture relay that can be advanced, by pushing, through the hollow needle of a suture passer and which is adapted to carry a braided suture across the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing bone cement in a vacuum includes a container for mixing first and second components of a bone cement in a vacuum, the container having a sealed body defining an interior space and a selected quantity of the first component disposed in the interior space. The container is provided with an injection port for admitting the second component into the interior space vacuum source. A mixing paddle is disposed in the interior space and connected to a handle therefor extending out of the container. A plurality of indirect pathways extend between the interior space and the exhaust port which permit gas to pass therethrough out of the interior space, but prevent the bone cement first and second components from passing therethrough.

Abstract: An electronic mouse controlled substantially by finger movement. The translation of the mouse can be controlled by the index finger placed over a primary selection button. Means for facilitating translation of the mouse are provided for in the primary selection button. Means for facilitating translation include, but are not limited to, concave depressions, protrusions and surface texture with a high coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A suture passer comprises a longitudinally extending hollow cannula having a central passage slidingly receivable of a surgical suture; a manually graspable handle connected to the hollow cannula for manipulation thereof, the handle having an upper surface; first guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate a proximal end of the handle for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture; second guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, distal to the first guide means, for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture. The suture passer can be provided in a kit, for use in the suturing of internal tissue, along with a cannula bender, various hollow surgical needles and surgical suture material. The suture passer finds particular use in the suturing of internal tissues which are at least partially accessible through a body cavity, e.g., arthroscopic surgery.

Abstract: A jamming retainer for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel without excessive sideways pressure on the ligament that may result in tissue necrosis, the jamming retainer including a substantially rigid body with a bore or loop for receiving a ligament or tendon and a bore or ring for receiving a suture for towing the jamming retainer and ligament or tendon through a bone tunnel. Once positioned, the jamming retainer is fixed in the bone tunnel with an interference screw.

Abstract: A core for forming a bone cement plug for deployment in a bone canal, the core including a base portion defining a bore having internal teeth therein and extending axially and distally from a proximal end of the base portion. A first leg portion depends from and extends distally from the base portion, the first leg portion having a first protrusion at a distal end thereof extending outwardly from an outside wall of the first leg portion through a first arc, and a second leg portion depends from and extends distally from the base portion, the second leg portion having a second protrusion at a distal end thereof extending outwardly from an outside wall of the second leg portion through a second arc and oppositely to the first arc. The toothed bore of the base portion is adapted to receive an expander member to wedge apart the first and second leg portions to expand the core widthwise to secure the core in the bone canal.

Abstract: A knot tier and method for advancing, tightening and locking a sliding knot.

Abstract: Poly(alkyl methacrylate) bone cement ingredients are prepackaged as two separate components in two separate chambers of a container which can be connected to a static mixer, where both components are in a liquid form that is at least substantially air-free, and wherein the static mixer can mix the two liquid components without mechanical agitation and without the introduction of air into the two liquid components during the transfer of the two liquid components from their separate chambers through the static mixer. The first liquid component is formed by premixing a bone cement liquid monomer with bone cement polymer powder, a polymerization initiator, and a stabilizer to form a liquid mixture. The second liquid component is formed by premixing bone cement liquid monomer with bone cement polymer powder, if any, a stabilizer, and an activator to form a liquid mixture.

Abstract: A removable protective cannula is disclosed for use in surgery to prevent damage to a portal cannula or tissue during insertion of a shaft instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing bone cement in a vacuum includes a container for mixing first and second components of a bone cement in a vacuum, the container having a sealed body defining an interior space and a selected quantity of the first component disposed in the interior space. The container is provided with an injection port for admitting the second component into the interior space vacuum source. A mixing paddle is disposed in the interior space and connected to a handle therefor extending out of the container. A plurality of indirect pathways extend between the interior space and the exhaust port which permit gas to pass therethrough out of the interior space, but prevent the bone cement first and second components from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A suture passer comprises a longitudinally extending hollow cannula having a central passage slidingly receivable of a surgical suture; a manually graspable handle connected to the hollow cannula for manipulation thereof, the handle having an upper surface; first guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate a proximal end of the handle for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture; second guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, distal to the first guide means, for releasably, guidingly, holding the surgical suture. The suture passer can be provided in a kit, for use in the suturing of internal tissue, along with a cannula bender, various hollow surgical needles and surgical suture material. The suture passer finds particular use in the suturing of internal tissues which are at least partially accessible through a body cavity, e.g., arthroscopic surgery.