Abstract: An internet-based patient health outcome data collection system, and a system for accessing information from the collected database. The system includes a web-based patient and doctor interface that allows both a patient and doctor to separately input data into the data collection database. The web-based patient interface allows a patient to input data such as responses to questions regarding levels of pain, function, satisfaction, quality of life, activities of daily living, unexpected results, and questions, pre- and post-procedure. The doctor interface also includes an analysis tool that allows the doctor to analyze the data from a specific patient, a group of patients, or all the patients, with specific characteristics as chosen by the doctor. The doctor interface also allows the doctor to compare an individual patient against a group of the doctor's patients, all patients in the study that meet criteria chosen by the doctor, or global data.

Abstract: A hand instrument for retrieving suture and advancing a suture knot within a patient. The instrument has a shaft with proximal and distal ends. A hinged jaw in the form of a crabclaw disposed on the distal end of the shaft captures suture within a closed aperture formed by the jaws or is used to pinch the suture between the jaws. A hand mechanism disposed on the proximal end of the shaft opens and closes the jaw.

Abstract: A method and device for knotless fixation of tissue. A swivel anchor having a rotatable implant is used to capture suture for surgical tissue repair without requiring suture knots. The implant may be provided with a conical metal tip which is self-punching and avoids the need for pre-drilling a hole in bone. The implant includes a closed aperture to allow free sliding of a suture strand. The swivel anchor is secured in a hole in bone by advancing a fenestrated fixation device, such as a cannulated interference screw, over the body of the implant.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering a clotted biological component (such as blood, autologous conditioned plasma (ACP), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate (BMA), demineralized bone matrix, anticoagulants and/or clotting agents, or combination of these materials) into a tissue void (for example, a bone void such as a bone tunnel, socket, opening or cavity), and then cutting the clotted biological component with a cutting or shearing mechanism at the tissue surface. The apparatus is provided with a tube and a cutting or shearing mechanism (provided on or within the distal end of the tube) that is actuated to cut or break off the clot at the desired insertion length. The tube may then be placed over the next tissue void so that the obturator drives the next clot into the next tissue void until all tissue voids are filled. Upon insertion at the defect site, the biological component advances the healing of the damaged tissue and tissue growth.

Abstract: A 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 method and apparatus for arthroscopic unicompartmental knee surgery which include a femoral component and a tibial component. The femoral component is installed in a trough in the femoral condyle formed by using a template, a plurality of drill pins and a plurality of corresponding cutters. The template is aligned with the curvature of the femoral condyle, the two drill pins are passed through the template and drilled into the femur, cutters are advanced over the corresponding drill pins to make holes in the femur, and the remaining hourglass shaped bone is removed with osteotomy pliers to form the trough. A tibial socket for the tibial component is formed in a retrograde manner.

Abstract: A two sided cylindrical chondral resurfacing implant that covers areas of the highest contact between the tibia and femur. A dual-sided rotary drill cutter is employed to create a tibial socket from outside in. A full femoral trough is made with the opposite side of the rotary drill cutter by simply moving the knee through flexion and extension. In this manner, automatic alignment of femoral and tibial components is achieved due to the “transtibial” nature of the femoral preparation.

Abstract: Osteochondral repair of damaged articular joint surfaces is achieved using implants in the form of cylindrical osteochondral plugs. The plugs have an articular surface formed on at least one end. If articular surfaces are provided on both ends of the implant, the articular surfaces have differently curved surfaces. The defective cartilage is removed to create a recipient socket for the implant. An implant sized to fit the recipient socket is chosen from a plurality of implants provided to the surgeon. The implants are preferably formed of a hydrogel material such as Salubria™, although metal or allograft implants can also be used.

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 method and apparatus for repairing isolated chondral defects using synthetic implants. Lesions in articular tissue are corrected by forming a recipient socket in the tissue. A donor graft of a size corresponding to the recipient socket is harvested from a synthetic specimen made of a synthetic tissue material, such as poly (vinyl) alcohol hydrogel. The donor graft is implanted into the recipient socket.

Abstract: A method and construct for joint repair in which attachment of a double bundle graft ligament approximates anatomic orientation using interference fixation in a single bone tunnel. The double bundle graft features separable strands. A threaded screw is inserted between the separable strands and provides interference fixation of the graft against radially opposing walls defining the bone tunnel. Attachment of the graft using separated strands more closely approximate the configuration of the native ligament. The resulting reconstruction exhibits mechanical functionality that more accurately mimics that of the intact joint, with a minimum of associated tissue morbidity.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering a clotted biological component (such as blood, autologous conditioned plasma (ACP), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate (BMA), demineralized bone matrix, anticoagulants and/or clotting agents, or combination of these materials) into a tissue void (for example, a bone void such as a bone tunnel, socket, opening or cavity), and then cutting the clotted biological component with a cutting or shearing mechanism at the tissue surface. The apparatus is provided with a tube and a cutting or shearing mechanism (provided on or within the distal end of the tube) that is actuated to cut or break off the clot at the desired insertion length. The tube may then be placed over the next tissue void so that the obturator drives the next clot into the next tissue void until all tissue voids are filled. Upon insertion at the defect site, the biological component advances the healing of the damaged tissue and tissue growth.

Abstract: An arthroscopic method of glenoid resurfacing with a meniscal allograft. The glenohumeral joint is debrided and holes are formed around the anterior and posterior perimeter of the glenoid rim. A meniscal allograft is prepared by removing it from its bone block and then bringing together its two horns to form a ring. Subsequent to the formation of the graft ring, a series of loops are installed along the edge of the graft. The loops correspond to the holes on the glenoid surface. Once the graft has been successfully placed on the glenoid, the loops are positioned in close proximity to the pre-drilled holes. Fixation devices such as anchors may be installed over the loops, to attach the perimeter of the graft to the glenoid through the pre-drilled holes.

Abstract: A rotary abrader allowing for improved visibility during surgery and improved aspiration of waste material. This is accomplished by providing a hood or sheath formed of a clear material and available in various shapes and sizes. The clear hood or sheath is also provided with a flattened, angled portion at a tip of the hood, to assist with retraction of the labral tissue while burring the glenoid rim. Slots are provided on the cannulated tube to provide aspiration of waste material and used to attach the hood to the cannulated tube.

Abstract: Osteochondral sockets are formed using a retrograde drill assembly. The retrograde drill assembly includes a guide pin having a fluted tip and an externally threaded portion. A removable cutter head has internal threads that engage the threads of the guide pin. The guide pin is drilled through bone, exposing the external threads in a joint space requiring repair. The cutter is threaded onto the guide pin, and the assembly is retrograded with rotation to form a socket in the bone. The cutter is disengaged from the guide pin for disassembly and removal from the bone, making way for an implant to be installed in the pocket. The implant can be drawn into the socket using an attached strand threaded through the bone socket and out of the bone.

Abstract: A suture combined intraoperatively with autogenous blood components. At least one strand of suture is placed into a sterile container. Blood obtained from a patient is separated, using a centrifuge, for example, to retrieve certain healing components such as autogenous growth factors, to obtain an autogenous blood suspension. The autogenous blood suspension is added to the sterile container containing the strand of suture. The suture wicks up biologic components of the autogenous blood suspension to produce an enhanced suture. Surgical repairs using the enhanced suture are conducted by suturing a tear to itself or to bone, for example. Post-operatively, the biologic components leach from the suture to accelerate healing of the repair.

Abstract: A method and construct for joint repair in which attachment of a double bundle graft ligament approximates anatomic orientation using interference fixation in a single bone tunnel. The double bundle graft features separable strands. A threaded screw is inserted between the separable strands and provides interference fixation of the graft against radially opposing walls defining the bone tunnel. Attachment of the graft using separated strands more closely approximate the configuration of the native ligament. The resulting reconstruction exhibits mechanical functionality that more accurately mimics that of the intact joint, with a minimum of associated tissue morbidity.

Abstract: A bone drill that includes a shaft with a flexible portion having a proximal end and a distal end and a drill tip coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The bone drill also includes a cannulated sheath with a proximal end and a distal end, the sheath housing a portion of the shaft and having a curved portion at the distal end. The drill tip may also be housed within the curved portion of the sheath. The bone drill may also include a hub with an actuator mechanism, the hub being coupled to the sheath, wherein the actuator mechanism retracts the sheath to cause the drill tip to extend beyond the distal end of the sheath.

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 method of securing a graft in a bone tunnel, in which graft is secured within the tunnel at both the entrance and the exit ends of the tunnel to provide bicortical fixation of the graft in the bone. Interference screws or other fixation devices are used to secure the graft within the tunnel. For tibial tunnel fixation using an interference screw, the back end of the distal screw is angled so that it closely approximates the angle of the outer tibial tunnel rim. The distal screw is non-cannulated to prevent hematomas from being formed by blood flowing from the tibial tunnel into the surrounding soft tissue. The proximal screw has a restricted cannula to minimize the flow of synovial fluid entering the tibial tunnel. Advantageously, the space between the two screws fills with blood to promote faster healing and incorporation of the graft in the tibial tunnel.