Abstract: A method for lubricating an implant or graft prior to implantation into a target implant site which enhances the lubricity of the implant or graft and promotes bone growth. The method comprises the steps of lubricating the implant or graft with the composition comprising hyaluronic acid and optionally a growth factor and/or an antiseptic and/or antibiotic, and subsequently implanting the lubricated implant or graft into a target implant site.

Abstract: A fully threaded, bioabsorbable suture anchor with a suture loop that is disposed internally within the suture anchor. The suture loop is insert-molded into the anchor. The fully threaded design provides improved fixation, while the insert-molded internal suture loop serves as a recessed eyelet for a second (knot-tying) suture.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable, cannulated tissue tack having an oblong head is used in sutureless soft tissue fixation to bone, particularly in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. A plurality of ribs are formed along the shaft of the tack. Repair of the glenohumeral joint is performed by installing the tack through a hole formed through the soft tissue of the labrum and into the cancellous bone of the glenoid rim. Aligning the oblong head of the tack lengthwise along the glenoid rim provides a low profile that avoids articular impingement on the tack head.

Abstract: A high strength abrasion resistant surgical suture material with improved tie down characteristics. The suture features a multifilament cover formed of braided strands of ultra high molecular weight long chain polyethylene and polyester. The cover surrounds a core formed of twisted strands of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The suture, provided in a #2 size, has the strength of #5 Ethibond, is ideally suited for most orthopedic procedures, and can be attached to a suture anchor or a curved needle.

Abstract: A suture anchor includes a body having a distal end and a proximal end. Projections in the form of ribs or threads are formed on the body for retaining the anchor in a hole formed in bone. An eyelet formed on the distal end of the body accepts suture. The eyelet preferably is formed by a loop of suture. Where the body of the anchor is formed of a polymer, the suture loop can be formed by insert-molding the suture into the body. Tissue is reattached to bone using the suture anchor by securing a length of suture to the tissue, and threading the length of suture through the eyelet on the distal end of the anchor, leaving lengths of suture extending from either side of the eyelet. Installing the suture anchor into the bone wedges the lengths of suture between the suture anchor and the bone, thereby securing the tissue without the need for tying knots. Pullout strength can be enhanced by twisting the lengths of suture prior to installation of the anchor into the bone.

Abstract: A headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a continuous thread spiraling around a tapering central core. At the distal end, the headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor terminates in a flat point. At the proximal end, the bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a flat, disk-shaped head for engaging tissue, and slots formed in the head for engaging a driver. The headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a large thread surface per turn of thread. As the anchor is turned into bone for engaging cancellous bone, the disk-shaped head engages and anchors the tissue to the bone.

Abstract: A high strength abrasion resistant surgical suture material with improved tie down characteristics is color coded for visualization and identification purposes. The suture features a multifilament cover formed of strands of ultra high molecular weight long chain polyethylene braided with polyester, nylon or a bioabsorbable material. Selected nylon fibers in the cover are provided in a color contrasting with the other cover fibers to provide an identifiable trace. The cover surrounds a core formed of twisted strands of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The suture, provided in a #2 size, has the strength of #5 Ethibond, is ideally suited for most orthopedic procedures, and can be attached to a suture anchor or a curved needle. The identifiable trace preferably is provided along one half of the length of the suture, so that when the suture is loaded onto a suture anchor, for example, the two legs of the length of suture on either side of the suture anchor can be readily identified.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable, cannulated expandable tissue anchor for sutureless soft tissue fixation to bone, particularly in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The anchor is provided with a ribbed shaft and a head for securing the soft tissue to bone. The shaft of the anchor is divided into at least two legs by longitudinal slots which extend from the distal end of the anchor. After the anchor is installed through tissue and into bone, a dowel is inserted into the proximal end of the cannulated shaft to axially spread apart the legs of the shaft by opening the longitudinal slots, thereby securing the anchor in the bone.

Abstract: A headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a continuous thread spiraling around a tapering central core. At the distal end, the headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor terminates in a flat point. At the proximal end, the bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a flat, disk-shaped head for engaging tissue, and slots formed in the head for engaging a driver. The anchor also has a cannula shaped to engage the driver. The headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a large thread surface per turn of thread. As the anchor is turned into bone for engaging cancellous bone, the disk-shaped head engages and anchors the tissue to the bone.

Abstract: A corkscrew suture anchor has a continuous thread spiraling around a tapering central core. At the distal end, the suture anchor terminates in a rounded point. At the proximal end of the suture anchor is an eye for receiving suture. The suture anchor has a large thread surface per turn of thread. Anti-backout ridges can be formed on the front and/or back faces of the threads. A driver for the suture anchor is provided, the driver including a shaft having a central axis, a length, a distal end, and a proximal end. The shaft is provided at its distal end with an opening aligned with the central axis of the shaft, for receiving the hexagonal proximal end of the suture anchor. One or more sutures threaded through the suture eye are threaded through the hollow tubular shaft. The suture is pulled into and captured by V-shaped notches on the proximal end of the handle to hold the suture anchor in place on the distal end of the driver under the tension of the captured sutures.

Abstract: A high strength abrasion resistant surgical suture material with improved tie down characteristics. The suture features a multifilament cover formed of braided strands of ultra high molecular weight long chain polyethylene and polyester. The cover surrounds a core formed of twisted strands of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The suture, provided in a #2 size, has the strength of #5 Ethibond, is ideally suited for most orthopedic procedures, and can be attached to a suture anchor or a curved needle.

Abstract: A high strength abrasion resistant surgical suture material with improved tie down characteristics is color coded for visualization and identification purposes. The suture features a multifilament cover formed of strands of ultra high molecular weight long chain polyethylene braided with polyester, nylon or a bioabsorbable material. Selected nylon fibers in the cover are provided in a color contrasting with the other cover fibers to provide an identifiable trace. The cover surrounds a core formed of twisted strands of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The suture, provided in a #2 size, has the strength of #5 Ethibond, is ideally suited for most orthopedic procedures, and can be attached to a suture anchor or a curved needle.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable, cannulated tissue tack having an oblong head is used in sutureless soft tissue fixation to bone, particularly in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Slotted ribs are formed along the shaft of the tack. Repair of the glenohumeral joint is performed by installing the tack through a hole formed through the soft tissue of the labrum and into the cancellous bone of the glenoid rim. Aligning the oblong head of the tack lengthwise along the glenoid rim provides a low profile that avoids articular impingement on the tack head.

Abstract: A corkscrew suture anchor has a continuous thread spiralling around a tapering central core. At the distal end, the suture anchor terminates in a rounded point. At the proximal end of the suture anchor is an eye for receiving suture. The suture anchor has a large thread surface per turn of thread. Anti-backout ridges can be formed on the front and/or back faces of the threads. A driver for the suture anchor is provided, the driver including a shaft having a central axis, a length, a distal end, and a proximal end. The shaft is provided at its distal end with an opening aligned with the central axis of the shaft, for receiving the hexagonal proximal end of the suture anchor. One or more sutures threaded through the suture eye are threaded through the hollow tubular shaft. The suture is pulled into and captured by V-shaped notches on the proximal end of the handle to hold the suture anchor in place on the distal end of the driver under the tension of the captured sutures.

Abstract: A suture anchor includes a body having a distal end and a proximal end. Projections in the form of ribs or threads are formed on the body for retaining the anchor in a hole formed in bone. An eyelet formed on the distal end of the body accepts suture. The eyelet preferably is formed by a loop of suture. Where the body of the anchor is formed of a polymer, the suture loop can be formed by insert-molding the suture into the body. Tissue is reattached to bone using the suture anchor by securing a length of suture to the tissue, and threading the length of suture through the eyelet on the distal end of the anchor, leaving lengths of suture extending from either side of the eyelet. Installing the suture anchor into the bone wedges the lengths of suture between the suture anchor and the bone, thereby securing the tissue without the need for tying knots. Pullout strength can be enhanced by twisting the lengths of suture prior to installation of the anchor into the bone.

Abstract: An insert-molded push in suture anchor has a biodegradable polymer body molded around a loop of suture. A tapered end disposed on the proximal end of the body is 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 held securely within the anchor body during the insert molding process. The anchor is produced by placing the braided suture within an injection mold, and injecting biodegradable polymer into the mold. Using a preferred plication driver, the push in suture anchor can be utilized for capsular plication procedures.

Abstract: A headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a continuous thread spiraling around a tapering central core. At the distal end, the headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor terminates in a flat point. At the proximal end, the bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a flat, disk-shaped head for engaging tissue, and slots formed in the head for engaging a driver. The headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a large thread surface per turn of thread. As the anchor is turned into bone for engaging cancellous bone, the disk-shaped head engages and anchors the tissue to the bone.

Abstract: A headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a continuous thread spiraling around a tapering central core. At the distal end, the headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor terminates in a flat point. At the proximal end, the bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a flat, disk-shaped head for engaging tissue, and slots formed in the head for engaging a driver. The anchor also has a cannula shaped to engage the driver. The headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a large thread surface per turn of thread. As the anchor is turned into bone for engaging cancellous bone, the disk-shaped head engages and anchors the tissue to the bone.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable, cannulated expandable tissue anchor for sutureless soft tissue fixation to bone, particularly in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The anchor is provided with a ribbed shaft and a head for securing the soft tissue to bone. The shaft of the anchor is divided into at least two legs by longitudinal slots which extend from the distal end of the anchor. After the anchor is installed through tissue and into bone, a dowel is inserted into the proximal end of the cannulated shaft to axially spread apart the legs of the shaft by opening the longitudinal slots, thereby securing the anchor in the bone.

Abstract: A headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a continuous thread spiraling around a tapering central core. At the distal end, the headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor terminates in a flat point. At the proximal end, the bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a flat, disk-shaped head for engaging tissue, and slots formed in the head for engaging a driver. The headed bioabsorbable tissue anchor has a large thread surface per turn of thread. As the anchor is turned into bone for engaging cancellous bone, the disk-shaped head engages and anchors the tissue to the bone.