Abstract: Depth penetration limiters for use with meniscal repair devices which have a built-in, self-stopper feature to prevent the limiter from disengaging from the device housing. The self-stopper feature is a cantilevered flexure on a bottom surface of the limiter that deflects as it is moved through the housing. As the flexure passes the edge of a recess in the housing, the flexure returns to its original shape, trapping the flexure within the recess and preventing further distal movement of the limiter/depth tube. A connection feature on the limiter provides increased pull-off resistance of the depth tube from the limiter.

Abstract: A collagen scaffold may be used in repairing a meniscal tear within a patient's meniscus. A collagen scaffold may be secured relative to a delivery device. The collagen scaffold may be placed within the meniscal tear and may be sutured in position. The sutures may pass through the collagen scaffold. The collagen fibers of the collagen scaffold may be substantially aligned with collagen fibers of the meniscus. In some cases, the collagen scaffold may be delivered to the meniscal tear using a securement member that includes forks that are adapted to extend into the collagen scaffold prior to folding and then rolling up the collagen scaffold and securement member to create a scaffold assembly that can be disposed within a delivery device.

Abstract: Tissue repair devices described herein allow for meniscal root repair with sutures and anchors delivered by a needle. The needle houses two deployable anchors, each connected to a separate suture. The device also includes a push mechanism that allows for reliable anchor deployment through the needle. The needle can have various degrees of curvature to access the superior or inferior surfaces of the meniscal roots. Each advancement of the push mechanism by the surgeon expels an individual suture/anchor construct from the distal tip of the needle at the desired location.

Abstract: Methods of making an enhanced bioactive PRP implant include supplying a centrifuge container with a collagen-based scaffold pre-inserted onto a moveable filter within the vial. A centrifuge process for creating the PRP implant is followed, resulting in a PRP/collagen implant combination. Other biologics may be added to the container instead of or in addition to the collagen-based scaffold. Additionally, methods of fixing the PRP implant into place at the point of a tear or wound include applying the PRP implant adjacent to or within a meniscal tear, or underneath or on top of a rotator cuff tear. Suture or staples may then be routed either through or over the PRP implant to hold the implant in place.

Abstract: A single-patient-use disposable tool comprises a molded, single-piece body with a curved upper surface having a predetermined bend radius for bending a needle slidably disposed in a sheath. A distal end of the curved surface has a slot for insertion of a tip of a needle, while the proximal end of the curved surface has a guide member for slidably receiving the sheath. Two finger loops or similar ergonomic features allow the user to rotate the bending tool relative to the sheath to bend the needle about the predetermined bend radius. After completing the bend, the tool is removed from the needle and disposed of.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a tissue repair system and related components and associated methods that provide for suturing of tissue using three or more suture anchoring implants, including multiple pairs of connected implants in some embodiments, all of which may be deployed from a single device. Some embodiments achieve this by employing a push mechanism capable of being activated to advance the push mechanism incrementally to discrete positions within the device and deploy implants one at a time from the device.

Abstract: Anchor delivery systems include anchors having a generally cylindrical body with a rail on top for positioning within a delivery device slot. The rail incorporates a side-bulge as a retaining feature which axially extends along a majority of the length of the rail. The bulge interferes with a corresponding hourglass cutout in the delivery device slot to prevent the anchor from stripping out of the delivery device when the delivery device is retracted through tissue. The anchors are symmetrical along a length and width to facilitate loading within the delivery device. The distal portion of the delivery device includes a series of distally-extending barbs that intentionally change the penetration force required to push the device tip through tissue.

Abstract: Tissue repair devices include an advancement assembly comprising a rod portion configured to advance through a needle to expel first and second implants from the needle, a ratchet coupled to a proximal section of the rod portion and configured to advance the rod through the needle by axial and rotational movement, and an advancement member having a linear travel axis including a first bore connected to a second bore. A diameter of the first bore is smaller than a diameter of the second bore such that the first bore and the second bore comprise a stop. The rod portion has mechanical properties optimized to both conform to a needle curvature and provide sufficient compressive strength to expel implants from the devices.

Abstract: Depth penetration limiters for use with meniscal repair devices which have a built-in, self-stopper feature to prevent the limiter from disengaging from the device housing. The self-stopper feature is a cantilevered flexure on a bottom surface of the limiter that deflects as it is moved through the housing. As the flexure passes the edge of a recess in the housing, the flexure returns to its original shape, trapping the flexure within the recess and preventing further distal movement of the limiter/depth tube. A connection feature on the limiter provides increased pull-off resistance of the depth tube from the limiter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a tissue repair system and related components and associated methods that provide for suturing of tissue using three or more suture anchoring implants, including multiple pairs of connected implants in some embodiments, all of which may be deployed from a single device. Some embodiments achieve this by employing a push mechanism capable of being activated to advance the push mechanism incrementally to discrete positions within the device and deploy implants one at a time from the device.

Abstract: Anchor delivery systems include anchors having a generally cylindrical body with a rail on top for positioning within a delivery device slot. The rail incorporates a side-bulge as a retaining feature which axially extends along a majority of the length of the rail. The bulge interferes with a corresponding hourglass cutout in the delivery device slot to prevent the anchor from stripping out of the delivery device when the delivery device is retracted through tissue. The anchors are symmetrical along a length and width to facilitate loading within the delivery device. The distal portion of the delivery device includes a series of distally-extending barbs that intentionally change the penetration force required to push the device tip through tissue.

Abstract: A knot pushing and suture-cutting device is disclosed including a handle having a multi-positional control and an inner shaft and outer tube extending from the handle. The inner shaft and outer tube both comprise slots and the outer tube is both axially and rotationally moveable relative to the inner shaft, to move the inner shaft and outer tube slots relative to each other. In a first configuration, the inner shaft and outer tube slots are aligned and configured to receive a suture therein. In a second configuration, the slots are configured to lock the suture within a lumen of the inner shaft. In a third configuration a cutting edge on the outer slot is configured to cut the suture.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a tissue repair system and related components and associated methods that provide for suturing of tissue using three or more suture anchoring implants, including multiple pairs of connected implants in some embodiments, all of which may be deployed from a single device. Some embodiments achieve this by employing a push mechanism capable of being activated to advance the push mechanism incrementally to discrete positions within the device and deploy implants one at a time from the device.

Abstract: Anchor delivery systems include anchors having a generally cylindrical body with a rail on top for positioning within a delivery device slot. The rail incorporates a side-bulge as a retaining feature which axially extends along a majority of the length of the rail. The bulge interferes with a corresponding hourglass cutout in the delivery device slot to prevent the anchor from stripping out of the delivery device when the delivery device is retracted through tissue. The anchors are symmetrical along a length and width to facilitate loading within the delivery device. The distal portion of the delivery device includes a series of distally-extending barbs that intentionally change the penetration force required to push the device tip through tissue.

Abstract: A single-patient-use disposable tool comprises a molded, single-piece body with a curved upper surface having a predetermined bend radius for bending a needle slidably disposed in a sheath. A distal end of the curved surface has a slot for insertion of a tip of a needle, while the proximal end of the curved surface has a guide member for slidably receiving the sheath. Two finger loops or similar ergonomic features allow the user to rotate the bending tool relative to the sheath to bend the needle about the predetermined bend radius. After completing the bend, the tool is removed from the needle and disposed of.

Abstract: A knot pushing and suture-cutting device is disclosed including a handle having a multi-positional control and an inner shaft and outer tube extending from the handle. The inner shaft and outer tube both comprise slots and the outer tube is both axially and rotationally moveable relative to the inner shaft, to move the inner shaft and outer tube slots relative to each other. In a first configuration, the inner shaft and outer tube slots are aligned and configured to receive a suture therein. In a second configuration, the slots are configured to lock the suture within a lumen of the inner shaft. In a third configuration a cutting edge on the outer slot is configured to cut the suture.

Abstract: Anchor delivery systems include anchors having a generally cylindrical body with a rail on top for positioning within a delivery device slot. The rail incorporates a side-bulge as a retaining feature which axially extends along a majority of the length of the rail. The bulge interferes with a corresponding hourglass cutout in the delivery device slot to prevent the anchor from stripping out of the delivery device when the delivery device is retracted through tissue. The anchors are symmetrical along a length and width to facilitate loading within the delivery device. The distal portion of the delivery device includes a series of distally-extending barbs that intentionally change the penetration force required to push the device tip through tissue.

Abstract: Tissue repair assemblies for repairing soft tissue consist of two soft anchors connected by a suture. Each soft anchor is a woven braid with a suture stitched through opposite sides of the anchor. The suture includes a pre-tied sliding knot located between the anchors. When the anchors are deployed in the body and the knot is reduced toward the tissue, the suture slides through the anchors, causing them to expand radially or fold to form a ball shape or cluster, thus increasing the contact area against the tissue and improving the overall construct strength.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a tissue repair system and related components and associated methods that provide for suturing of tissue using three or more suture anchoring implants, including multiple pairs of connected implants in some embodiments, all of which may be deployed from a single device. Some embodiments achieve this by employing a push mechanism capable of being activated to advance the push mechanism incrementally to discrete positions within the device and deploy implants one at a time from the device.

Abstract: A brush seal includes a retainer and a multiplicity of single bristles each bristle having a fixed end and a free sealing end, the fixed ends being individually attached in a continuous arrangement at the same angle to the retainer, the bristles having a uniform pack density throughout the extent of the bristles from the fixed to the sealing end.