Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a knotless suture anchor for implanting in bone including an outer tubular member having a distal end, a proximal end, an outer wall, and an at least one aperture through the outer wall; an inner member being rotatably disposed within the outer tubular member, the inner member having an at least one aperture for receiving at least one suture thread; a pointed tip configured to facilitate impaction of the anchor into the bone; and at least one suture thread guide positioned on the outer tubular member, wherein the at least one suture thread is positioned through the at least one suture thread guide, the at least one aperture of the outer tubular member, and the at least one aperture of the inner member.

Abstract: A minimally invasive tissue incision system for creating joint capsulotomies and releasing/incising various tendon and fibrous band structures. The system contains a penetrating needle which is retractable so as to expose a cutting element, and which may be used as a penetrating needle to pierce the skin and other soft tissue structures. The cutting element provided within the penetrating needle may be used to incise subsequent tissue structures after the initial penetration. The system facilitates such procedures by providing the cutting element with the confines of the needle which provides safe introduction of the cutting element directly to the site via the needle.

Abstract: A shoulder immobilizer (20) includes a semi-rigid or rigid orthosis, in the form of an arm support (22), which supports the upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist of a patient. A bolster (24) is positioned between the patient and the arm support (22). A body strap (26) extends around the patient and attaches to the arm support (22) and/or the bolster (24), holding the arm support and bolster in position against the body of the patient. In embodiments, the shoulder immobilizer (20) may utilize a shoulder strap (28), but such a shoulder strap is not necessary for shoulder immobilization of the patient.

Abstract: A shoulder immobilizer (20) includes a semi-rigid or rigid orthosis, in the form of an arm support (22), which supports the upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist of a patient. A bolster (24) is positioned between the patient and the arm support (22). A body strap (26) extends around the patient and attaches to the arm support (22) and/or the bolster (24), holding the arm support and bolster in position against the body of the patient. In embodiments, the shoulder immobilizer (20) may utilize a shoulder strap (28), but such a shoulder strap is not necessary for shoulder immobilization of the patient.

Abstract: An insertion tool is used to implant a knotless suture anchor to secure soft tissue to a rigid structure such as bone. The anchor has an inner member that receives suture thread and rotates within an outer tubular member. An inner shaft on the insertion tool engages the inner tubular member and is used to rotate the inner tubular member so that the suture thread is wrapped onto the inner tubular member thereby increasing contact with the outer tubular member of the anchor which applies pressure to the wrapped suture thread to retain it in position on the inner tubular member while simultaneously and adjustably tensioning the suture thread. The insertion tool has an outer shaft that engages the outer tubular member of the anchor and prevents the outer tubular member from rotating as the inner shaft on the insertion tool rotates the inner tubular member on the anchor.

Abstract: A minimally invasive tissue incision system for creating joint capsulotomies and releasing/incising various tendon and fibrous band structures. The system contains a penetrating needle which is retractable so as to expose a cutting element, and which may be used as a penetrating needle to pierce the skin and other soft tissue structures. The cutting element provided within the penetrating needle may be used to incise subsequent tissue structures after the initial penetration. The system facilitates such procedures by providing the cutting element with the confines of the needle which provides safe introduction of the cutting element directly to the site via the needle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for holding soft tissue in apposition with a bone using a suture, the method including engaging the soft tissue with an engaging portion of a suture thread; engaging an end of the suture thread with a rotatable shaft of an anchor; implanting the rotatable shaft in the bone; and rotating the shaft in a first direction to wrap the engaged suture thread onto the shaft thereby increasing tension on the suture and on the soft tissue.

Abstract: A knotless suture anchor provides a method for securing soft tissue to a rigid structure such as bone. The anchor has an inner member that receives suture thread and rotates within an outer tubular member. As the inner member rotates, the suture thread is wrapped onto the inner member thereby increasing contact with the outer tubular member which applies pressure to the wrapped suture thread to retain it in position on the inner member while simultaneously and adjustably tensioning the suture thread. A ratchet prevents undesirable counter-rotation, although the ratchet can be released to permit loosening of the suture thread. Also described is a suture bridge and suture platform for providing further stabilization of a tendon. A method for repairing rotator cuff tears is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for securing soft tissue to a rigid structure such as bone. Various directional anchors that allow for increasing the stability the attachment of soft tissue to bone are described. Also described is a delivery system for use with the directional anchors that allows for open surgical or arthroscopic application of one embodiment of the device. A method for repairing rotator cuff tears is also described.

Abstract: A shoulder immobilizer (20) includes a semi-rigid or rigid orthosis, in the form of an arm support (22), which supports the upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist of a patient. A bolster (24) is positioned between the patient and the arm support (22). A body strap (26) extends around the patient and attaches to the arm support (22) and/or the bolster (24), holding the arm support and bolster in position against the body of the patient. In embodiments, the shoulder immobilizer (20) may utilize a shoulder strap (28), but such a shoulder strap is not necessary for shoulder immobilization of the patient.

Abstract: A shoulder immobilizer (20) includes a semi-rigid or rigid orthosis, in the form of an arm support (22), which supports the upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist of a patient. A bolster (24) is positioned between the patient and the arm support (22). A body strap (26) extends around the patient and attaches to the arm support (22) and/or the bolster (24), holding the arm support and bolster in position against the body of the patient. In embodiments, the shoulder immobilizer (20) may utilize a shoulder strap (28), but such a shoulder strap is not necessary for shoulder immobilization of the patient.

Abstract: A shoulder immobilizer (20) includes a semi-rigid or rigid orthosis, in the form of an arm support (22), which supports the upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist of a patient. A bolster (24) is positioned between the patient and the arm support (22). A body strap (26) extends around the patient and attaches to the arm support (22) and/or the bolster (24), holding the arm support and bolster in position against the body of the patient. In embodiments, the shoulder immobilizer (20) may utilize a shoulder strap (28), but such a shoulder strap is not necessary for shoulder immobilization of the patient.

Abstract: An insertion tool is used to implant a knotless suture anchor to secure soft tissue to a rigid structure such as bone. The anchor has an inner member that receives suture thread and rotates within an outer tubular member. An inner shaft on the insertion tool engages the inner tubular member and is used to rotate the inner tubular member so that the suture thread is wrapped onto the inner tubular member thereby increasing contact with the outer tubular member of the anchor which applies pressure to the wrapped suture thread to retain it in position on the inner tubular member while simultaneously and adjustably tensioning the suture thread. The insertion tool has an outer shaft that engages the outer tubular member of the anchor and prevents the outer tubular member from rotating as the inner shaft on the insertion tool rotates the inner tubular member on the anchor.

Abstract: A knotless suture anchor provides a method for securing soft tissue to a rigid structure such as bone. The anchor has an inner member that receives suture thread and rotates within an outer tubular member. As the inner member rotates, the suture thread is wrapped onto the inner member thereby increasing contact with the outer tubular member which applies pressure to the wrapped suture thread to retain it in position on the inner member while simultaneously and adjustably tensioning the suture thread. A ratchet prevents undesirable counter-rotation, although the ratchet can be released to permit loosening of the suture thread. Also described is a suture bridge and suture platform for providing further stabilization of a tendon. A method for repairing rotator cuff tears is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for securing soft tissue to a rigid structure such as bone. Various directional anchors that allow for increasing the stability the attachment of soft tissue to bone are described. Also described is a delivery system for use with the directional anchors that allows for open surgical or arthroscopic application of one embodiment of the device. A method for repairing rotator cuff tears is also described.