Abstract: Handles for athletic equipment, such as baseball bats. The handles include two different portions, or sides, each configured to achieve different results. A first portion has a flared shape and no knob, and is configured to interface with the hypothenar side of a batter/user's hand in a way that it promotes the gliding of the handle/knob over his or her hypothenar area, hamate bone and other anatomic areas included in such. A second portion has a least a partial knob and is configured to interface with the user's little finger with a protuberance that engages the little finger, wherein the engagement of the little finger facilitates better grip, a pivot point for proximal part to glide across hypothenar eminence of hand and better performance of the bat (or other athletic equipment) being used.

Abstract: A method of revising a graft in a bone tunnel including unpinning a graft ligament support block from within a bone tunnel in a host bone, withdrawing the graft ligament support block from the bone tunnel to create a vacated bone tunnel, advancing a graft ligament support block into the vacated bone tunnel, and pinning the graft ligament support block within the bone tunnel. In one embodiment, the graft ligament support block includes a body having a graft hole and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body. The graft hole and the transverse fixation pin hole extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. An installation tool can be provided for inserting the graft ligament support block into the bone tunnel.

Abstract: A method of revising a graft in a bone tunnel including unpinning a graft ligament support block from within a bone tunnel in a host bone, withdrawing the graft ligament support block from the bone tunnel to create a vacated bone tunnel, advancing a graft ligament support block into the vacated bone tunnel, and pinning the graft ligament support block within the bone tunnel. In one embodiment, the graft ligament support block includes a body having a graft hole and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body. The graft hole and the transverse fixation pin hole extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. An installation tool can be provided for inserting the graft ligament support block into the bone tunnel.

Abstract: A system for reconstructing a ligament by fixing at least one graft ligament strand in a bone tunnel is provided. The system a retainer configured for disposition in the bone tunnel, the retainer including a crosshole for receiving a locking pin and a mounting shoulder formed about the crosshole, and a cap removably attached to the retainer for capturing the at least one graft ligament strand by compressing the at least one graft ligament strand between the cap and the retainer, wherein the cap includes at least one locking member configured to engage the mounting shoulder of the retainer to facilitate gripping of the at least one graft ligament strand between the cap and the retainer.

Abstract: A device for positioning a femoral tunnel during ACL reconstruction, the device comprising: a shaft having a lumen, the lumen defining a longitudinal axis; and a distal offset projection, at least a portion of the distal offset projection extending distally from the elongated shaft; and a single lateral reference member configured to reference a portion of a patient's anatomy, e.g., a PCL or a portion of the femoral notch, the lateral reference member located on one of the left or the right side of the device, wherein, on a second one of the left or the right side of the device, the device defines a void. Two devices may be employed to provide a set.

Abstract: A guide for positioning a femoral tunnel during an ACL repair. The device may include a shaft having a distal end and a femoral surface engagement member. The femoral surface engagement member may be selectively deployable relative to the distal end of the shaft. The femoral surface engagement member may have a relatively sharp distal end, that is configured to alter, e.g., pierce, a surface of the femur.

Abstract: A guide for positioning a femoral tunnel during an ACL repair. The device may include a shaft having two or more lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The device may also include a distal offset projection, at least a portion of the distal offset projection extending distally from the elongated shaft.

Abstract: A device for positioning a tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction, the device that includes an elongated body having proximal and distal ends; and a distal arm extending from the distal end of the elongated body, a distal portion of the distal arm being configured for insertion into a pre-formed opening in a femur. The distal arm and the body are not aligned relative to each other when viewed from above. A pair of such devices, providing tunnel positioning for right and left knee surgeries, maybe provided in a set.

Abstract: A device for positioning a tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction, the device comprising: a distal portion including a body and a distal arm extending from the distal end of the body, and an outrigger configured to be held by a user. The outrigger and the distal portion are selectively rotatable relative to each other such that the distal portion and the outrigger may be selectively moved out of alignment relative to each other when viewed from above.

Abstract: A device for positioning a tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction is provided. The device includes a portion insertable into a pre-formed opening in the femur. Also provided is a method for positioning a tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction. The method includes the steps of forming an opening in a femur bone, inserting a portion of a device into the opening, and using the device to position an opening in a tibia bone.

Abstract: A system for installation of a graft ligament support block is provided. The system includes an installation tool having a holder including a shaft having a handle at a proximal end and a distal end configured for selectively engaging the graft ligament support block. The installation tool further includes a drill guide including an outrigger having a bore formed on its distal end for selectively receiving a drill sleeve and a proximal end configured to selectively engage the holder. Also provided is a kit for use in reconstructing a ligament. The kit includes an installation tool including a holder and a drill guide, a drill sleeve, a guidewire, one or more drills, one or more graft ligament support blocks and one or more transverse fixation pins.

Abstract: A guide for positioning a femoral tunnel during an ACL repair. The device may include a shaft having a lumen, the lumen defining a longitudinal axis, and a distal offset projection, at least a portion of the distal offset projection extending distally from the elongated shaft, wherein the distal offset projection and the shaft are moveable relative to each other.

Abstract: A system for use in reconstructing a ligament is provided. The system includes a graft ligament support block for supporting a graft ligament in a bone tunnel. The support block includes a body, a graft hole extending through the body transverse to a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a graft ligament therein, and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a transverse fixation pin therein. The system further includes a stepped transverse fixation pin having a first portion at a distal end, a second portion at a proximal end, and an annular shoulder configured between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion, the second portion and the annular shoulder form a given profile in a cross-section of a given plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fixation pin.

Abstract: An encapsulation device for repair of articular cartilage defects includes a body for disposition adjacent a bone in an area of the cartilage defect, and elongated leg structure extending from the body and for disposition in the bone in the area of the cartilage defect. The leg structure is provided with a length which is a plurality of magnitudes greater than a thickness of the body, and is of a generally conical configuration.

Abstract: A system for use in reconstructing a ligament is provided. The system includes a graft ligament support block and an installation tool. The support block includes a body having a distal and proximal ends and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the proximal end being tapered so as to facilitate withdrawal of the support block through a bone tunnel, a graft hole extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a graft ligament therein and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a transverse fixation pin therein. The installation tool includes a holder having a shaft with distal and proximal ends and longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the proximal end of the shaft including at least one finger for engagement in the opening and a handle mounted to the proximal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A system for installation of a graft ligament support block is provided. The system includes an installation tool having a holder including a shaft having a handle at a proximal end and a distal end configured for selectively engaging the graft ligament support block. The installation tool further includes a drill guide including an outrigger having a bore formed on its distal end for selectively receiving a drill sleeve and a proximal end configured to selectively engage the holder. Also provided is a kit for use in reconstructing a ligament. The kit includes an installation tool including a holder and a drill guide, a drill sleeve, a guidewire, one or more drills, one or more graft ligament support blocks and one or more transverse fixation pins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstructing a ligament using a graft ligament support block which comprises a body, and a graft hole and a transverse fixation pin hole extending through the body, with both the graft hole and the fixation pin hole preferably extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. A graft ligament is looped through the graft hole, and the support block is advanced into the bone tunnel, with the two free ends of the looped graft ligament extending back out the bone tunnel. Next, a transverse tunnel is formed in the host bone, with the transverse tunnel being aligned with the fixation pin hole. Then the support block is secured in place by pinning the support block within the tunnel, i.e., by advancing a fixation pin along the transverse tunnel in the host bone and into the fixation pin hole in the support block.

Abstract: A device for positioning a tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction, the device comprising: a distal portion including a body and a distal arm extending from the distal end of the body; and an outrigger configured to be held by a user. The outrigger defines at least one lumen, preferably at least two lumen. Each lumen is configured to receive a guide wire therethrough. Each lumen is configured to position a guide wire inserted through the lumen and the distal portion so as to be misaligned relative to each other when viewed from above.

Abstract: A device for positioning a tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction, the device comprising: a distal portion including a body and a distal arm extending from the distal end of the body, and an outrigger configured to be held by a user. The outrigger and the distal portion are selectively rotatable relative to each other such that the distal portion and the outrigger may be selectively moved out of alignment relative to each other when viewed from above.

Abstract: A guide for positioning a femoral tunnel during an ACL repair. The device may include a shaft having two or more lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The device may also include a distal offset projection, at least a portion of the distal offset projection extending distally from the elongated shaft.