Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for the treatment of tissue via an electrode assembly is disclosed having at least one active electrode and an aspiration system for configured to collect aspirated materials and to remove those aspirated materials from a surgical site while preventing the materials from melting and thereby clogging the aspiration system. In at least one embodiment, the aspiration system may include an internal aspiration collection chamber positioned at a distal end of the instrument to collect aspirated material and insulate the aspirated material to prevent the aspirated material from melting within the aspiration system and thereby clogging the aspiration system. The internal aspiration collection chamber may also be subjected to reduced heating from the active electrode by limiting the exposure of the internal aspiration collection chamber to a minimally sized support arm extending from active electrode to the channel of the aspiration system in the electrosurgical instrument shaft.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for the treatment of tissue via an electrode assembly is disclosed having at least one active electrode and an aspiration system for configured to collect aspirated materials and to remove those aspirated materials from a surgical site while preventing the materials from melting and thereby clogging the aspiration system. In at least one embodiment, the aspiration system may include an internal aspiration collection chamber positioned at a distal end of the instrument to collect aspirated material and insulate the aspirated material to prevent the aspirated material from melting within the aspiration system and thereby clogging the aspiration system. The internal aspiration collection chamber may also be subjected to reduced heating from the active electrode by limiting the exposure of the internal aspiration collection chamber to a minimally sized support arm extending from active electrode to the channel of the aspiration system in the electrosurgical instrument shaft.

Abstract: A high efficiency electrosurgical electrode with an advanced electrically conductive tip and advanced design tube, and a method of conducting an electrosurgical procedure with such electrode. The tube design is provided with a swaged one-piece metal tube that fits in small cannulas (as small as a 5.5 mm cannula). The electrode has a scalloped configuration that provides decreased surface area with more edges. The handle is provided with an ergonomic design that utilizes a bend with a cut at the end of the tube (for example, a 30 degree bend with a 15 degree cut).

Abstract: A system and method for more efficient cleaning and sterilizing of surgical handpieces by using a removable valve assembly. The valve assembly is removable to provide access to a first suction passageway and a second suction passageway for cleaning purposes. The valve assembly has a protrusion that engages with a handpiece to secure the assembly to the handpiece. The protrusion of the valve assembly may also be retracted into the valve assembly to allow the valve assembly to disengage the handpiece thereby allowing the valve assembly to be removed from the handpiece. The first suction passageway may also be removable.

Abstract: A system and method for more efficient cleaning and sterilizing of surgical handpieces by using a removable valve assembly. The valve assembly is removable to provide access to a first suction passageway and a second suction passageway for cleaning purposes. The valve assembly has a protrusion that engages with a handpiece to secure the assembly to the handpiece. The protrusion of the valve assembly may also be retracted into the valve assembly to allow the valve assembly to disengage the handpiece thereby allowing the valve assembly to be removed from the handpiece. The first suction passageway may also be removable.

Abstract: A retracting two-piece cannula for distracting soft tissue from bone (e.g., the articular surface of a knee) to provide a surgical workspace for osteochondral repair. After inserting an outer cannula provided with a threaded outer surface into an incision (preferably widened by one or more dilators), the outer cannula is rotated to engage the threaded outer surface with the soft tissue to be distracted. An inner cannula is then inserted into the outer cannula and advanced until it contacts the articular surface. Further relative movement between the inner and outer cannulas causes the outer cannula to be drawn away from the articular surface, thereby retracting the soft tissue and establishing the workspace. The inner and outer cannula are then locked together to maintain the workspace, and an osteochondral core may be introduced through the inner cannula.

Abstract: An endoscopic rotary abrader allowing for increased burr size while maintaining the required minimum clearance between the burr and the hood. This is accomplished either by an offset configuration of non-concentric inner and outer tubes, where the inner tube is shifted laterally away from the hood, or by employing an enlarged hood.

Abstract: A system and method for more efficient cleaning and sterilizing of surgical handpieces by using a removable valve assembly. The valve assembly is removable to provide access to a first suction passageway and a second suction passageway for cleaning purposes. The valve assembly has a protrusion that engages with a handpiece to secure the assembly to the handpiece. The protrusion of the valve assembly may also be retracted into the valve assembly to allow the valve assembly to disengage the handpiece thereby allowing the valve assembly to be removed from the handpiece. The first suction passageway may also be removable.

Abstract: A system and method for more efficient cleaning and sterilizing of surgical handpieces by using a removable valve assembly. The valve assembly is removable to provide access to a first suction passageway and a second suction passageway for cleaning purposes. The valve assembly has a protrusion that engages with a handpiece to secure the assembly to the handpiece. The protrusion of the valve assembly may also be retracted into the valve assembly to allow the valve assembly to disengage the handpiece thereby allowing the valve assembly to be removed from the handpiece. The first suction passageway may also be removable.

Abstract: A high efficiency electrosurgical electrode with an advanced electrically conductive tip and advanced design tube, and a method of conducting an electrosurgical procedure with such electrode. The tube design is provided with a swaged one-piece metal tube that fits in small cannulas (as small as a 5.5 mm cannula). The electrode has a scalloped configuration that provides decreased surface area with more edges. The handle is provided with an ergonomic design that utilizes a bend with a cut at the end of the tube (for example, a 30 degree bend with a 15 degree cut).

Abstract: An endoscopic rotary abrader allowing for increased burr size while maintaining the required minimum clearance between the burr and the hood. This is accomplished either by an offset configuration of non-concentric inner and outer tubes, where the inner tube is shifted laterally away from the hood, or by employing an enlarged hood.

Abstract: An endoscopic rotary abrader allowing for increased burr size while maintaining the required minimum clearance between the burr and the hood. This is accomplished either by an offset configuration of non-concentric inner and outer tubes, where the inner tube is shifted laterally away from the hood, or by employing an enlarged hood.

Abstract: A retrograde osteochondral autograft transfer system that ensures that grafted healthy bone is implanted into the recipient site in a retrograde manner as opposed to a conventional anterior manner, so that the grafted healthy bone is flush with the bone surface of the recipient size. The retrograde osteochondral autograft transfer system of the present invention employs two identically-sized harvesters which are aligned with each other for transfer and reversal of a harvested osteochondral core, such that the core can be introduced into the recipient site through a tunnel leading to the recipient site, with an articular surface of the core advanced in a leading position.

Abstract: A powered surgical system includes a power console with locking speed control capabilities. The surgical power console delivers power to two separate surgical instruments, particularly surgical handpieces used in orthopedic procedures. The user/console interface includes footswitches, handpiece mounted switches, and front panel controls. The console provides controls for speed and direction of the handpiece, as well as the ability to switch directions on a variable time basis. Advantageously, the console provides a “cruise control” capability which locks in the speed of a particular handpiece. Once the cruise control option is selected, the surgeon can engage the cruise control function simply by using a “gas pedal” footswitch. Once a desired handpiece speed is established, the surgeon's foot can be removed from the footswitch, allowing the surgeon greater comfort, greater range of motion, and improved access to the operational situs.

Abstract: A multi-stranded suture having a stiff portion adjacent to at least one end of the suture to facilitate advancement of the suture through a cannulated surgical suturing instrument. The suture preferably has a non-stiff distal tip to provide flexibility for passing the suture through bends in the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for abrading tissue includes a bearing tube having distal and proximal ends, and a suction port formed distally in a sidewall of the bearing tube. An inner tube disposed within the bearing tube has a distal opening, the distal opening being located proximal of the suction port in the sidewall of the bearing tube. A solid transition region extending distally from the inner tube is disposed distal to the distal opening. An abrading element supported distally by the solid transition region is used to perform orthopedic abrading procedures. The outer diameter of the abrading element is greater than the inner diameter of the bearing tube. Debris generated by abrading procedures is aspirated through the suction port formed in the sidewall of the bearing tube and into the lumen of the inner tube. A hooded sheath extends distally from the bearing tube, or optionally from a sheath tube provided over the bearing tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for abrading tissue includes a bearing tube having distal and proximal ends, and a suction port formed distally in a sidewall of the bearing tube. An inner tube disposed within the bearing tube has a distal opening, the distal opening being located proximal of the suction port in the sidewall of the bearing tube. A solid transition region extending distally from the inner tube is disposed distal to the distal opening. An abrading element supported distally by the solid transition region is used to perform orthopedic abrading procedures. The outer diameter of the abrading element is greater than the inner diameter of the bearing tube. Debris generated by abrading procedures is aspirated through the suction port formed in the sidewall of the bearing tube and into the lumen of the inner tube. A hooded sheath extends distally from the bearing tube, or optionally from a sheath tube provided over the bearing tube.

Abstract: A retracting two-piece cannula for distracting soft tissue from bone (e.g., the articular surface of a knee) to provide a surgical workspace for osteochondral repair. After inserting an outer cannula provided with a threaded outer surface into an incision (preferably widened by one or more dilators), the outer cannula is rotated to engage the threaded outer surface with the soft tissue to be distracted. An inner cannula is then inserted into the outer cannula and advanced until it contacts the articular surface. Further relative movement between the inner and outer cannulas causes the outer cannula to be drawn away from the articular surface, thereby retracting the soft tissue and establishing the workspace. The inner and outer cannula are then locked together to maintain the workspace, and an osteochondral core may be introduced through the inner cannula.

Abstract: A retrograde osteochondral autograft transfer system that ensures that grafted healthy bone is implanted into the recipient site in a retrograde manner as opposed to a conventional anterior manner, so that the grafted healthy bone is flush with the bone surface of the recipient size. The retrograde osteochondral autograft transfer system of the present invention employs two identically-sized harvesters which are aligned with each other for transfer and reversal of a harvested osteochondral core, such that the core can be introduced into the recipient site through a tunnel leading to the recipient site, with an articular surface of the core advanced in a leading position.

Abstract: A multi-stranded suture having a stiff portion adjacent to at least one end of the suture to facilitate advancement of the suture through a cannulated surgical suturing instrument. The suture preferably has a non-stiff distal tip to provide flexibility for passing the suture through bends in the surgical instrument.