Abstract: A cannulated offset drill guide and surgical methods for repairing Bankart lesions. The cannulated offset drill guide comprising a shaft which is offset from the guide center line by about 1 to 3 mm, more preferably of about 1.5 mm. The cannulated offset drill guide is provided at its proximal end with a concave clear tip which allows a surgeon to visualize the drill and the insertion of an anchoring device, for example a suture anchor. The concave clear tip has beveled, smooth edges to prevent damage to adjacent bone and tissue, and to avoid damage to the rubber dam of the cannula through which the offset drill guide is inserted. The configuration of the concave clear tip is designed to engage and match the generally convex-curve articulating face of the glenoid, and to precisely aligning the offset drill guide with the glenoid face. The clear tip may also be employed in a standard drill guide having a shaft which is not offset from the center line of the guide.

Abstract: An insert-molded suture anchor with a biodegradable polymer body in which a loop of suture is totally contained within the polymer. The suture anchor body features a drive end that is shaped to be received into a recess in the end of a hand driver. Anchoring ribs are formed along the remaining length of the anchor. The loop of suture which includes and eyelet for attaching a suture strand is totally embedded within the anchor body during the insert-molding fabrication process. The anchor is produced by placing the suture in an injection mold, and injecting biodegradable polymer into the mold.

Abstract: A suture anchor has a continuous thread spiralling around a tapering central core. At the distal end of the thread, the suture anchor has a starting pitch to facilitate insertion of the anchor into bone. The proximal end of the suture anchor receives at least one strand of suture. At the proximal end, the suture anchor has a large thread surface per turn of thread.

Abstract: A threaded suture anchor formed of a material comprising polyether-ether ketone (PEEK) has a suture loop that is disposed internally within the suture anchor. The suture loop can extend through a substantial length of the anchor body with the ends of the suture loop secured at the distal end of the anchor and the proximal end of the loop being flush with or recessed just below the proximal surface of the proximal end of the anchor. The anchor body can be threaded and have a tapered distal portion.

Abstract: A threaded suture anchor with an eyelet shield transversely molded at a distal end of the anchor body, over which one or more strands of suture is looped. The anchor body is threaded and has a tapered distal portion. The proximal end portion of the suture anchor body has a polygonally shaped opening to accept a polygonal drive head, preferably hexagonal or square. The peripheral surface defining polygonally shaped opening is rounded and smooth to prevent abrading sutures placed in contact therewith. In another embodiment, a push-in anchor is provided with an eyelet shield at the proximal end of the anchor.

Abstract: A tissue anchor or tack that is reinforced by a three-dimensional mesh for improved strength and structural support for the tissue tack. The three-dimensional mesh may be formed of a bioabsorbable or non-absorbable material and may comprise fibers which are weaved, laced, crosslinked, or glued together, for example. The three-dimensional mesh may be also provided by molding a suitable pre-polymeric compound into a shape which directly provides the desired mesh structure. The three-dimensional mesh is preferably molded into the tissue tack. The mesh reinforced tissue tack is preferably cannulated and has a tack shaped configuration.

Abstract: A suture anchor includes a threaded anchor body having a first central bore in communication with a second central bore. The suture anchor includes an internal eyelet formed of a loop disposed at least partially inside the first central bore. The ends extending from the loop are tied together to form at least one knot which is housed in the second central bore provided at the distal end of the anchor body. The knot increases the pullout strength of the suture even in soft bone, provides increased suture fixation, and eliminates the anchor “pull back.

Abstract: A ribbed suture anchor formed of poly-ether ether ketone (PEEK). The suture anchor is radiolucent and revisable. A tapered end disposed on the proximal end of the body can be received into a recess in the distal end of a hand driver. Anchoring ribs are formed along the remaining length of the anchor. The suture is attached to the suture anchor body through an aperture in the anchor.

Abstract: Sutures can be placed in difficult to access areas of the human body with devices, and related methods, utilizing a suture carrier with a sharpened tip and a notch for holding a formed suture tip.

Abstract: A device for the placement of sutures and for the purpose of approximating tissue includes an elongate body member, a suture deployment system, and a catch. Methods of placing sutures include inserting and deploying in a patient a device including an elongate body member, a suture deployment system, and a catch. The suture deployment system is disposed at a distal portion of the elongate body member, and includes a suture carrier having a sharpened distal end for tissue penetration and a notch for holding a formed suture tip. The catch is disposed on the elongate body member to receive and retain the formed suture tip.

Abstract: Knotless fixation of soft tissue to bone is accomplished using a bone anchor configured to provide interference fixation of a soft-tissue connector. The soft-tissue connector is provided in the form of a flat narrow piece of material. Additional fixation strength can be provided by configuring the bone anchor to penetrate into or through the soft-tissue connector. The bone anchor is installed into a pre-formed hole or socket in the bone.

Abstract: A suture anchor has a pin that is disposed transversely within the suture anchor, over which one or more strands of suture is looped. The anchor body is threaded and has a tapered distal portion. The proximal end portion of the suture anchor body has a hexagonally shaped opening to accept a hexagonal drive head. The peripheral surface defining hexagonally shaped opening is rounded and smooth to prevent abrading sutures placed in contact therewith.

Abstract: A suture anchor includes a threaded anchor body having a bore for receiving a driver, and at least two distal passageways extending from the bore to corresponding apertures at the distal end of the suture anchor. The apertures are provided as pairs with a corresponding groove formed between the apertures of the pair. Suture strands can be inserted into the suture anchor through the apertures, the distal portion of the sutures seated in the grooves between the apertures being protected from abrasion during installation of the suture anchor.

Abstract: An inverted capsular punch for cutting tissue. The inverted capsular punch has a punch end effector assembly comprising a fixed upper jaw and a movable lower jaw which is pivotably secured to the fixed jaw. The fixed upper jaw has a length greater than that of the movable lower jaw, and has an elongated, spoon-like configuration that allows gentle separation and retraction of the capsule from adjacent tissues and neurovascular structures in the joint. The movable lower jaw is provided with a plurality of cutting teeth or serrations that cut the capsule. The movable lower jaw is actuated by a pair of ring handles.

Abstract: An articulating paddle elevator for manipulating tissue during arthroscopic procedures. The articulating elevator comprises a shaft, a proximal end, and a distal end provided with an articulating paddle. The paddle may be actuated by a switch and can articulate into a standard tip for traditional manipulation of tissue, or into a rotated or articulated position. In this manner, effective manipulation and retraction of tissue from the surgical site without tissue collapse may be achieved, allowing a surgeon to better visualize the internal condition of the arthroscopic site and speed up the overall procedure.

Abstract: A knotless suture anchor for reattachment of tissue to bone features a barbed body having a Y-shaped slot formed distally for capturing a length of suture. The suture is passed through the tissue to be reattached, and a simple knot formed in the suture is captured in the slot on the suture anchor. The anchor is installed with the captured suture into a pre-formed pilot hole to draw the tissue to the bone.

Abstract: A torque driver includes a torque measurement assembly for indicating the amount of torque being applied during implanting of an interference screw. The torque measurement assembly includes a proximal cup and a distal cup, and a coil spring fixed between the cups. A torque scale is marked on one of the cups, while a reference marking is provided on the other. When used to insert an interference screw, the driver head is inserted into the socket of the screw and the driver is turned, which causes the torque spring to tighten. As the spring tightens, the reference mark moves relative to the scale to indicate the torque measurement exerted on the spring. Using this torque driver, a surgeon can be made aware if too much torque is being exerted or if a desired minimum torque load for achieving a desirable level of fixation strength for the graft is not reached.

Abstract: A method for securing soft tissue to bone with excellent pull-out strength which does not require the surgeon to tie suture knots to secure the tissue to the bone. A blind hole or socket is created in the bone at the location the graft is to be secured. Preferably, suture is then passed through the graft at desired points. A cannulated driver is pre-loaded with a cannulated plug or screw slidably disposed onto the distal portion of the driver. In a preferred embodiment, a separate piece of suture is passed through the cannula of the driver with a loop end of that suture exposed at the distal end of the driver. The ends of the suture attached to the graft are fed through the suture loop at the end of the driver. Alternatively, the graft itself may be fed through the suture loop, in which case it is not necessary to attach suture through the graft.

Abstract: Sutures can be placed in difficult to access areas of the human body with devices, and related methods, utilizing a suture carrier with a sharpened tip and a notch for holding a formed suture tip.

Abstract: A torque driver for measuring the amount of torque being applied during implanting of an interference screw, includes a handle, drive shaft and drive head, a sleeve disposed around the proximal portion of the shaft, and a torque measurement assembly connected between the handle and the sleeve. The torque measurement assembly includes a proximal cup and a distal cup, and a coil spring encased between the cups, with one end of the spring fixed in the proximal cup and the other end of the spring fixed in the distal cup. The proximal cup is fixed to the distal end of the sleeve, and the proximal portion of the sleeve is fixed in the handle. The distal cup is fixed to the drive shaft, which rotates freely within the sleeve. Thus, the drive shaft and distal cup move together as one unit while the handle, sleeve, and proximal cup move together as one unit, so that the two units are physically connected to each other only by the torque spring.