Abstract: A cannula comprising a monolithic, flexible body having a central passageway bounded by a first flange and a second flange, the central passageway having an irregular shape and a diaphragm positioned therein, the first diaphragm having the same irregular shape and including at least one first diaphragm slit, and a second diaphragm positioned adjacent to or at one of the first or second flanges and having at least one second diaphragm slit.

Abstract: A cannula comprising a monolithic, flexible body having a central passageway bounded by a first flange and a second flange, the central passageway having an irregular shape and a diaphragm positioned therein, the first diaphragm having the same irregular shape and including at least one first diaphragm slit, and a second diaphragm positioned adjacent to or at one of the first or second flanges and having at least one second diaphragm slit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for securing tissue to bone, including drilling a bone hole into the bone; passing a filament through the tissue, the filament including a first end, a second end and a length therebetween, the second end having a loop; passing the first end of the filament through the loop of the filament; pulling on the first end of the filament such that the loop travels along the length of the filament and to the tissue; passing an anchor along the length of the filament, from the first end towards the loop and tissue; engaging the loop with a distal end of the anchor; positioning the distal end of the anchor, with the loop of the filament, into the bone hole; and securing the anchor in the bone.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for securing tissue to bone, including drilling a bone hole into the bone; passing a filament through the tissue, the filament including a first end, a second end and a length therebetween, the second end having a loop; passing the first end of the filament through the loop of the filament; pulling on the first end of the filament such that the loop travels along the length of the filament and to the tissue; passing an anchor along the length of the filament, from the first end towards the loop and tissue; engaging the loop with a distal end of the anchor; positioning the distal end of the anchor, with the loop of the filament, into the bone hole; and securing the anchor in the bone.

Abstract: A method for securing a sleeve in a bore hole in bone. The method includes disposing at least a portion of a length of filament into the bore hole, and implanting the sleeve into the bore hole such that a first pathway extending through first and second ends of the sleeve opens in a direction toward the opening of the bore hole and in a direction toward the base of the bore hole. The method also includes pulling at least a portion of the length of filament through the first pathway of the sleeve, thereby forming a first loop configuration extending from the first end and at least one free end of the length of filament extending from the second end. Also included is passing the at least one free end through the first loop configuration to create a one-way cinch.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a braided filament including a plurality of strands each having at least one ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber and at least one polyester fiber wherein the quantity of certain types of fibers in a first strand is the same as the quantity of the same type of fibers in a second strand. In a variant, one additional strand of the braided filament is a monofilament strand. In another variant, each strand is homogeneous with respect to the other strands and is made exclusively from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers and polyester fibers such that each strand has the same distribution and quantity of fiber types.

Abstract: A braided filamentary device, in one embodiment, includes a substantially flat morphology having a length, a width, and a height, and a pick count of at least about 50 picks per inch. The filamentary device is adapted to maintain its width while under a tension.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes, in one embodiment, a tensioner instrument having a body having a channel and a plurality of arms projecting outward from the body, each arm including a cleat having a slot adapted to receive a suture; a base member positioned within the channel of the body; an actuating mechanism having a first coupling member adapted to engage a second coupling member on the body to removeably couple the actuating mechanism to the body; and a universal joint adapted to allow for relative movement between the base member and the body such that, when each suture is positioned within each cleat and the actuating mechanism is actuated, the tensioner applies uniform tension to each suture positioned in each cleat.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a braided filament including a plurality of strands each having at least one ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber and at least one polyester fiber wherein the quantity of certain types of fibers in a first strand is the same as the quantity of the same type of fibers in a second strand. In a variant, one additional strand of the braided filament is a monofilament strand. In another variant, each strand is homogeneous with respect to the other strands and is made exclusively from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers and polyester fibers such that each strand has the same distribution and quantity of fiber types.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes, in one embodiment, a tensioner instrument having a body having a channel and a plurality of arms projecting outward from the body, each arm including a cleat having a slot adapted to receive a suture; a base member positioned within the channel of the body; an actuating mechanism having a first coupling member adapted to engage a second coupling member on the body to removeably couple the actuating mechanism to the body; and a universal joint adapted to allow for relative movement between the base member and the body such that, when each suture is positioned within each cleat and the actuating mechanism is actuated, the tensioner applies uniform tension to each suture positioned in each cleat.

Abstract: Filamentary fixation devices may be used in a variety of surgical procedures to secure soft tissue to bone. The present invention provides various devices, systems, kits and instrumentation for performing such surgical procedures including preparation of soft tissue and bone, preparation and manipulation of such filamentary fixation devices, and insertion and utilization of the fixation devices within a patient's anatomy. In one embodiment, a method for securing soft tissue to bone, the method includes accessing the soft tissue and the bone, passing a filament through the soft tissue, preparing a bore hole in the bone, loading the filament into a filamentary fixation device, implanting the filamentary fixation device, with the filament, into the bore hole, and tensioning the filament so that the filamentary fixation device and filament are secured within the bore hole.

Abstract: A braided filamentary device, in one embodiment, includes a substantially flat morphology having a length, a width, and a height, and a pick count of at least about 50 picks per inch. The filamentary device is adapted to maintain its width while under a tension.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an implant system for securing tissue to bone, including a first fixation member releasably engaged to a first inserter, the first fixation member having a throughbore adapted to accept a filament therethrough and a cannulation extending from a proximal end of the first fixation member to a distal end of the first fixation member, the first inserter positioned through the cannulation and having a distal tip extending distally beyond the distal end of the first fixation member, and a second fixation member releasably engaged to a second inserter different from the first inserter, the second fixation member having a size capable of being positioned within the bonehole.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an implant system for securing tissue to bone, including a first fixation member releasably engaged to a first inserter, the first fixation member having a throughbore adapted to accept a filament therethrough and a cannulation extending from a proximal end of the first fixation member to a distal end of the first fixation member, the first inserter positioned through the cannulation and having a distal tip extending distally beyond the distal end of the first fixation member, and a second fixation member releasably engaged to a second inserter different from the first inserter, the second fixation member having a size capable of being positioned within the bonehole.

Abstract: Filamentary fixation devices may be used in a variety of surgical procedures to secure soft tissue to bone. The present invention provides various devices, systems, kits and instrumentation for performing such surgical procedures including preparation of soft tissue and bone, preparation and manipulation of such filamentary fixation devices, and insertion and utilization of the fixation devices within a patient's anatomy. In one embodiment, a method for securing soft tissue to bone, the method includes accessing the soft tissue and the bone, passing a filament through the soft tissue, preparing a bore hole in the bone, loading the filament into a filamentary fixation device, implanting the filamentary fixation device, with the filament, into the bore hole, and tensioning the filament so that the filamentary fixation device and filament are secured within the bore hole.

Abstract: A System for Measuring Body Kinetics includes a wearable device configured to be wrapped around a joint. A microprocessor is attached to the wearable device. One or more Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) are connected to the microprocessor and arranged on the wearable device. The IMUs are arranged and configured to provide kinetic data concerning the joint to the microprocessor. A wireless transmission component is connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to receive kinetic data from the IMUs, and to transmit the kinetic data by way of the wireless transmission component to a central processor or other device. An algorithm resides within the microprocessor or the central processor or other device, and is configured to determine the position of each IMU from the kinetic data. The wearable device may be constructed of fabric, strap, adhesive tape, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A system for securing a length of filament in working communication with tissue. The system includes a first filamentary sleeve having a length along a longitudinal axis and a passageway therethrough. The passageway is dimensioned to allow slidable movement therein of a length of filament. Also included within the system is and a filament engagement device that includes a pathway. The pathway has a first configuration and second configuration, wherein a portion of the length of filament is slidable within the pathway when the pathway is in the first configuration and is restricted from sliding when the pathway is in the second configuration.

Abstract: An inserter assembly for inserting anchors into bone includes a handle having a handle body. A first inserter is disposed within the handle body and is fixedly connected thereto. The first inserter has an insertion end configured to retain a first anchor for insertion thereof into bone. A second inserter is slidably disposed within the handle body and has an insertion end configured to retain a second anchor for insertion thereof into bone. A sleeve is slidably disposed within the handle body and is releasably connected to the second inserter.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a fixation device including a sleeve member including an interior and an exterior surface along a length defined between a first end and a second end, and at least two openings positioned along the length and extending from the interior and through the exterior surface; and a filament including a first free end and a second free end and a length therebetween, the filament positioned relative to the sleeve member such that the free ends extend from the sleeve member at the first and second ends of the sleeve member, the filament being disposed inside the interior from the first end to a first opening, outside the sleeve member from the first opening to a second opening, and inside the interior from the second opening to the second end of the sleeve member.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a filamentary fixation system including a sleeve formed of filamentary material including an interior and an exterior surface along a length defined between a first end and a second end, the sleeve having a coating adapted to allow for tissue ingrowth, and a filament formed of filamentary material including a first free end and a second free end, and a length therebetween, at least a portion of the filament positioned within the interior of the sleeve.