Abstract: A tissue fixation system including a delivery tube and an elongated fastener with a loop at a proximal end and a distal end, A proximal end of an elongated curved needle is attached to the delivery tube. A distal end of the needle is configured to penetrate tissue. The needle includes an open channel sized to receive the elongated fastener with the loop located near the proximal end of the elongated curved needle and the distal end of the elongated fastener located near the distal end of the elongated curved needle. A capture needle is slidably positioned in the delivery tube to slide through the loop in the proximal end of the elongated fastener. The capture needle is configured to grasp the distal end of the elongated fastener and pull the distal end of the elongated fastener through the loop to cinch the elongated fastener.

Abstract: A tissue fixation system including a delivery tube and an elongated fastener with a loop at a proximal end and a distal end. A proximal end of an elongated curved needle is attached to the delivery tube. A distal end of the needle is configured to penetrate tissue. The needle includes an open channel sized to receive the elongated fastener with the loop located near the proximal end of the elongated curved needle and the distal end of the elongated fastener located near the distal end of the elongated curved needle. A capture needle is slidably positioned in the delivery tube to slide through the loop in the proximal end of the elongated fastener. The capture needle is configured to grasp the distal end of the elongated fastener and pull the distal end of the elongated fastener through the loop to cinch the elongated fastener.

Abstract: A tissue fixation system including a delivery tube and an elongated fastener with a loop at a proximal end and a distal end. A proximal end of an elongated curved needle is attached to the delivery tube. A distal end of the needle is configured to penetrate tissue. The needle includes an open channel sized to receive the elongated fastener with the loop located near the proximal end of the elongated curved needle and the distal end of the elongated fastener located near the distal end of the elongated curved needle. A capture needle is slidably positioned in the delivery tube to slide through the loop in the proximal end of the elongated fastener. The capture needle is configured to grasp the distal end of the elongated fastener and pull the distal end of the elongated fastener through the loop to cinch the elongated fastener.

Abstract: This invention comprises a novel approach for the refixation of a loosened implant to bone, wherein the novel approach comprises providing access to a boundary region between the implant and the bone; removing abnormal interface tissue, wear debris and/or bone cement debris from the boundary region; and inserting bone fixation material into the boundary region so that the bone fixation material engages the implant and the bone and thereby effects refixation of the loosened implant to the bone.

Abstract: A tissue fixation system including a delivery tube and an elongated fastener with a loop at a proximal end and a distal end. A proximal end of an elongated curved needle is attached to the delivery tube. A distal end of the needle is configured to penetrate tissue. The needle includes an open channel sized to receive the elongated fastener with the loop located near the proximal end of the elongated curved needle and the distal end of the elongated fastener located near the distal end of the elongated curved needle. A capture needle is slidably positioned in the delivery tube to slide through the loop in the proximal end of the elongated fastener. The capture needle is configured to grasp the distal end of the elongated fastener and pull the distal end of the elongated fastener through the loop to cinch the elongated fastener.

Abstract: An implant injection system that facilitates the introduction of a bone implant material into the cancellous bone portion of a patient's bone to serve as an anchor or to fill a void in the bone. The implant injection system and method provide a quantity of meltable material which is melted in situ so that the melted material can flow and diffuse into, and be anchored to, the cancellous bone portion beneath the cortical bone layer. The flowing of the bone implant material can be accomplished by an electrical resistance heater or other heater located at the distal end of the implant injection system. The implant material may be provided in multiple layers with an inner layer having a lower flowing temperature than the outer layers. There can also be a looped suture that passes though the meltable material, with the free ends of the suture extending outwardly to be tied to soft tissue to affix the soft tissue to the bone.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a fishing line, said apparatus including a hollow shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; a slot formed in said hollow shaft and communicating with said lumen; and a cutter shaft movably disposed within said lumen so as to selectively cross said slot, whereby to cut a fishing line disposed in said slot.

Abstract: A hand-held device for joining fishing line segments of monofilament, fluorocarbon, and/or braid lines of similar or differing sizes or combinations or securing hooks or other components to at least one line. The device includes an encasement for orienting the fishing line segments in a closed chamber in close, non-contacting orientation. A material is injected into the closed chamber to encase the lines. This material can be adhesive material or a flowable polymer material having a melting temperature lower than the line segments to be bonded. A pre-formed, flexible polymer sheath is used to retain the line segments in the chamber. A heater heats the polymer sheath within the encasement to allow the polymer to flow and encase the line segments without melting the line segments. Bonding of the line segments can be achieved without melting, abrading, compressing, or impairing the integrity the line segment(s) to be encased.

Abstract: A tissue fixation system including a delivery tube and an elongated fastener with a loop at a proximal end and a distal end. A proximal end of an elongated curved needle is attached to the delivery tube. A distal end of the needle is configured to penetrate tissue. The needle includes an open channel sized to receive the elongated fastener with the loop located near the proximal end of the elongated curved needle and the distal end of the elongated fastener located near the distal end of the elongated curved needle. A capture needle is slidably positioned in the delivery tube to slide through the loop in the proximal end of the elongated fastener. The capture needle is configured to grasp the distal end of the elongated fastener and pull the distal end of the elongated fastener through the loop to cinch the elongated fastener.

Abstract: A tissue fixation system including a delivery tube and an elongated fastener with a loop at a proximal end and a distal end. A proximal end of an elongated curved needle is attached to the delivery tube. A distal end of the needle is configured to penetrate tissue. The needle includes an open channel sized to receive the elongated fastener with the loop located near the proximal end of the elongated curved needle and the distal end of the elongated fastener located near the distal end of the elongated curved needle. A capture needle is slidably positioned in the delivery tube to slide through the loop in the proximal end of the elongated fastener. The capture needle is configured to grasp the distal end of the elongated fastener and pull the distal end of the elongated fastener through the loop to cinch the elongated fastener.

Abstract: A hand-held device for joining fishing line segments of monofilament, fluorocarbon, and/or braid lines of similar or differing sizes or combinations. The device is electrically powered and is portable. The device includes an encasement for orienting the fishing line segments in a closed chamber in close, tensioned, non-contacting orientation. A material is injected into the closed chamber to encase the lines. This material can be adhesive material or a flowable polymer material having, typically, a melting temperature lower than the line segments to be bonded. Alternatively, A pre-formed, flexible polymer sheath (or sleeve) is used to retain the line segments in the chamber. A heater heats the polymer sheath (or sleeve) within the encasement to allow the polymer to flow and encase the line segments without melting the line segments. Bonding of the line segments can be achieved without melting, abrading, compressing, or impairing the integrity the line segment(s) to be encased.

Abstract: Prosthesis, tools and surgical methods treat joint instability by avoiding loosening over time. A shoulder prosthesis includes a humeral member with a humeral joint surface and a humeral fixation member and a glenoid member comprising a glenoid body with a glenoid joint surface, and a glenoid fixation member attaching the glenoid body to a scapula. The glenoid fixation member may be attached orthogonally to the scapula. A dampener may be included to absorb loads that may loosen one or more components of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Prosthesis, tools and surgical methods treat joint instability by avoiding loosening over time. A shoulder prosthesis includes a humeral member with a humeral joint surface and a humeral fixation member and a glenoid member comprising a glenoid body with a glenoid joint surface, and a glenoid fixation member attaching the glenoid body to a scapula. The glenoid fixation member may be attached orthogonally to the scapula. A dampener may be included to absorb loads that may loosen one or more components of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A tissue fixation system including a delivery tube and an elongated fastener with a loop at a proximal end and a distal end. A proximal end of an elongated curved needle is attached to the delivery tube. A distal end of the needle is configured to penetrate tissue. The needle includes an open channel sized to receive the elongated fastener with the loop located near the proximal end of the elongated curved needle and the distal end of the elongated fastener located near the distal end of the elongated curved needle. A capture needle is slidably positioned in the delivery tube to slide through the loop in the proximal end of the elongated fastener. The capture needle is configured to grasp the distal end of the elongated fastener and pull the distal end of the elongated fastener through the loop to cinch the elongated fastener.

Abstract: A tissue fixation system including a delivery tube and an elongated fastener with a loop at a proximal end and a distal end. A proximal end of an elongated curved needle is attached to the delivery tube. A distal end of the needle is configured to penetrate tissue. The needle includes an open channel sized to receive the elongated fastener with the loop located near the proximal end of the elongated curved needle and the distal end of the elongated fastener located near the distal end of the elongated curved needle. A capture needle is slidably positioned in the delivery tube to slide through the loop in the proximal end of the elongated fastener. The capture needle is configured to grasp the distal end of the elongated fastener and pull the distal end of the elongated fastener through the loop to cinch the elongated fastener.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for joining a fishing line to another fishing component, for adjusting the buoyancy of fishing components, and for cutting a fishing line.

Abstract: A hand-held device for joining fishing line segments of monofilament, fluorocarbon, and/or braid lines of similar or differing sizes or combinations or securing hooks or other components to at least one line. The device includes an encasement for orienting the fishing line segments in a closed chamber in close, non-contacting orientation. A material is injected into the closed chamber to encase the lines. This material can be adhesive material or a flowable polymer material having a melting temperature lower than the line segments to be bonded. A pre-formed, flexible polymer sheath is used to retain the line segments in the chamber. A heater heats the polymer sheath within the encasement to allow the polymer to flow and encase the line segments without melting the line segments. Bonding of the line segments can be achieved without melting, abrading, compressing, or impairing the integrity the line segment(s) to be encased.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for delivering adhesive material to a patient site. A delivery device includes a housing and a nozzle. Adhesive material exits the end of the nozzle such as to adhesively attach tissue to tissue or a material or device to tissue.

Abstract: Prosthesis, tools and surgical methods treat joint instability by avoiding loosening over time. A shoulder prosthesis includes a humeral member with a humeral joint surface and a humeral fixation member and a glenoid member comprising a glenoid body with a glenoid joint surface, and a glenoid fixation member attaching the glenoid body to a scapula. The glenoid fixation member may be attached orthogonally to the scapula. A dampener may be included to absorb loads that may loosen one or more components of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A tissue fixation system including a delivery tube and an elongated fastener with a loop at a proximal end and a distal end. A proximal end of an elongated curved needle is attached to the delivery tube. A distal end of the needle is configured to penetrate tissue. The needle includes an open channel sized to receive the elongated fastener with the loop located near the proximal end of the elongated curved needle and the distal end of the elongated fastener located near the distal end of the elongated curved needle. A capture needle is slidably positioned in the delivery tube to slide through the loop in the proximal end of the elongated fastener. The capture needle is configured to grasp the distal end of the elongated fastener and pull the distal end of the elongated fastener through the loop to cinch the elongated fastener.