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 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 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 meniscal tissue repair device includes an elongate body having a pointed distal tip. A plurality of lateral grooves is disposed along the body. Grooves disposed near the distal tip of the device are angled to open proximally and grooves disposed near the proximal end are angled to open distally. A torn meniscus can be repaired using the meniscal repair device by loading the meniscal repair device into an applicator, and inserting the barrel of the applicator through an incision in the knee at a location proximal and perpendicular to the tear in the meniscus. The applicator is actuated to drive the repair device distally into the meniscus across the tear. The distal travel of the repair device is limited by the distally-opening grooves of the repair device.

Abstract: An insert-molded suture anchor having a biodegradable polymer body molded around a loop of suture. A drive head disposed on the proximal end of the body, and a screw thread spirals around the body. The suture is held securely within the anchor body by forming irregularities in the braided suture used to form the anchor. The anchor is produced by placing the braided suture within an injection mold, and injecting biodegradable polymer into the mold.

Abstract: A surgical implant for securing ligament grafts into a joint. The implant has back-biting threads that allow the implant to be advanced into bone by impaction. If necessary, the implant can be removed from the bone by rotation. The implant is used, for example, for knee ligament repair by forming a longitudinal socket in a bone. The socket is intersected by a transverse pin. A flexible strand is drawn with the pin through the bone. A looped portion of the flexible strand is diverted so as to protrude out of the entrance to the longitudinal socket. The ends of the flexible strand remain accessible on either side of the bone. The ligament graft is captured within the strand loop protruding from the entrance to the socket. The strand is retracted into the socket, drawing the graft into the socket by pulling on the accessible ends of the flexible strand. The graft is fixed in the socket using the transverse implant.