Abstract: A suture anchor for deployment in a preformed bone hole to secure soft tissue to bone in a knotless manner. The suture anchor comprises a hollow outer member and an inner member longitudinally movable within the outer member. Suture is directed distally between the wall of the bone hole and the outer anchor member from the soft tissue to be attached to the bone transversely across an eyelet situated at the distal end of the inner member and proximally between the wall of the bone hole and the outer anchor member. A rib/groove suture-locking mechanism is provided by moving the inner member proximally relative to the outer member in order to engage the suture-locking mechanism.

Abstract: An inserter for simultaneously creating a bone tunnel and delivering an all-suture anchor. The inserter is capable of inserting into the bone tunnel a soft, non-rigid suture anchor by forming a bone tunnel (to serve as an anchor receiving area) and simultaneously, in one motion, delivering the soft suture anchor to the anchor receiving area. The soft suture anchor is made entirely of non-rigid materials including, but not limited to, filaments of soft, malleable materials such as those commonly used to make sutures. The inserter is able to not only carry or deliver the all-suture anchor into a bony substrate, but is able to do so without having to preform a hole in the bone.

Abstract: There is described a suture anchor with anchor members moveable as between a suture-unlocked configuration and suture-locked configuration. In one embodiment, the anchor members include an outer anchor member with features, e.g., flexible barbs, configured to secure the suture anchor in the suture-locked configuration to material proximate a pre-formed hole in bone material. The outer anchor member is also configured with a bore to receive suture material, and which is sized and shaped to receive an inner anchor member therein. The inner anchor member includes securing features such as projections that compress the suture material against the surface of the bore when the suture anchor is actuated from the suture-unlocked configuration to the suture-locked configuration.

Abstract: A suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of a bone tunnel. A graft supporting loop member formed of a pair of parallel suture limbs extending from a bight portion is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable so the graft ligament can be supported in the bone tunnel at varying distances from the anchor member. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop member, the length of the loop member may be shortened by simply pulling distally on the pair of limbs at one end of the loop member to pull the graft ligament into the bone tunnel a predetermined distance or until it bottoms out at the floor of the bone tunnel. When tension is applied to the loop member by the graft pulling the loop proximally, the bight portion of the suture automatically locks the graft supporting loop member in place.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the percutaneous insertion of a soft, non-rigid suture anchor construct preloaded onto an inserter which is “self-punching”. The preferred embodiment of soft suture anchor disclosed herein is a suture anchor which is entirely comprised of filaments of compressible, distendable, soft materials such as commonly used suture materials. The inserter is adapted to not only carry the all-suture anchor into a bony substrate, but is also capable of forming a hole in the bone, to receive the anchor, in the same step.

Abstract: An anchoring device for deployment in a pre-formed hole to secure soft tissue to bone. Embodiments of the anchoring device include an outer member and an inner member that moves relative to the outer member from a suture-unlocked position to a suture-locked position. The inner member further includes an elongated projection with a proximal end that defines an outer dimension. In one embodiment, the elongated projection is configured to interface with a portion of the outer member so as to change the outer dimension in a manner that causes the elongated projection to displace a portion of the bone.

Abstract: A soft suture anchor is described that includes a first section of suture bent to define a first vertex separating a first standing end and a second standing end. The first standing end and the second standing end being legs of an acute angle. A second section of suture circumscribes the first standing end and the second standing end with at least one wrap. A first end of said second section is wrapped a plurality of times about the first standing end, and a second end of the second section is wrapped a plurality of times about the second standing end.

Abstract: An anchor is provided for placement in or against tissue. The anchor includes a fibrous construct and at least a first filament. Each filament passes through the construct in at least three passing locations including a first location nearest a first end of the construct, a last location nearest a second end of said construct, and at least one intermediate location between said first passing location and said last passing location. In an undeployed state, each filament extends a first length between said first location and said last location. In a deployed state, each filament extends a second length between the first location and the last location. The second length is shorter than said first length.

Abstract: A suspensory graft ligament fixation device is shown to be particularly suitable for maximizing the contact between a soft tissue graft and the bone tunnel prepared to receive the graft. The suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of the bone tunnel. A loop member is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop, the length of the loop member may be shortened to pull the graft member into the bone tunnel until it bottoms out at the floor of the bone tunnel.

Abstract: A knotless suture anchor for deployment in a preformed bone hole to secure soft tissue to bone. The suture anchor comprises a hollow outer member and a hollow inner member longitudinally movable within the outer member. Suture is directed along a tortuous path distally through the lumens of both the inner and outer members, transversely across an eyelet situated at the distal end of the inner member and proximally through the lumens of both the inner and outer members. A suture-locking mechanism engaged the suture-locking mechanism by moving the inner member proximally relative to the outer member is provided along the tortuous path to crimp the suture by placing the anchor in a suture locked configuration. The inner member is provided with radially outwardly extending prongs which pass through slots in the outer member in order to engage bone surrounding the bone hole.

Abstract: There is described a suture anchor with anchor members moveable as between a suture-unlocked configuration and suture-locked configuration. In one embodiment, the anchor members include an outer anchor member with features, e.g., flexible barbs, configured to secure the suture anchor in the suture-locked configuration to material proximate a pre-formed hole in bone material. The outer anchor member is also configured with a bore to receive suture material, and which is sized and shaped to receive an inner anchor member therein. The inner anchor member includes securing features such as projections that compress the suture material against the surface of the bore when the suture anchor is actuated from the suture-unlocked configuration to the suture-locked configuration.

Abstract: A suture needle instrument having improved connection means enabling a hollow suture needled to be attached to a handle in a variety of orientations. The suture needle is provided with user accessible suture channels and suture advancing wheels to facilitate cleaning and repair.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a cross-pin includes a distal portion having an axis, a distal end, and a proximal end. A proximal cylindrical portion includes a threaded exterior surface. A junction may be interposed between the distal and proximal portions to enable the proximal portion to rotate relative to the distal portion. In another aspect of the invention, a graft retaining system for retaining a graft in a bone tunnel includes a graft block having a proximal end and a distal end, and sized to fit within the bone tunnel. A cross pin transverse to the bone tunnel attaches the graft block adjacent the tunnel. An intermediate connector is attached to the graft block at a point distal to the cross pin and connects the graft to the graft block so as to apply compressive forces to the graft block.

Abstract: An anchoring device for deployment in a pre-formed hole to secure soft tissue to bone. Embodiments of the anchoring device include an outer member and an inner member that moves relative to the outer member from a suture-unlocked position to a suture-locked position. The inner member further includes an elongated projection with a proximal end that defines an outer dimension. In one embodiment, the elongated projection is configured to interface with a portion of the outer member so as to change the outer dimension in a manner that causes the elongated projection to displace a portion of the bone.

Abstract: A suture needle instrument having improved connection means enabling a hollow suture needled to be attached to a handle in a variety of orientations. The suture needle is provided with user accessible suture channels and suture advancing wheels to facilitate cleaning and repair.

Abstract: A polymeric suture anchor for deployment in a preformed bone hole to secure soft tissue to bone in a knotless manner. The suture anchor comprises a hollow outer member and a hollow inner member longitudinally movable within the outer member. Suture is directed along a tortuous path distally through the lumens of both the inner and outer members, transversely across an eyelet situated at the distal end of the inner member and proximally through the lumens of both the inner and outer members. A suture-locking mechanism is provided along the tortuous path to crimp the suture by placing the anchor in a suture locked configuration. This is accomplished by moving the inner member proximally relative to the outer member in order to engage the suture-locking mechanism. The anchor is maintained in this configuration by the engagement of interlocking surfaces on the inner and outer members.

Abstract: A two piece graft fixation arrangement includes a graft block engageable with a graft and a transverse member engageable with the graft block to fix the graft block in a bone tunnel. Instruments and methods are presented for installing a graft in a bone tunnel and anchoring the graft with a transverse member placed through a transverse bore intersecting the bone tunnel.

Abstract: A two piece graft fixation arrangement includes a graft block engageable with a graft and a transverse member engageable with the graft block to fix the graft block in a bone tunnel. Instruments and methods are presented for installing a graft in a bone tunnel and anchoring the graft with a transverse member placed through a transverse bore intersecting the bone tunnel.

Abstract: A two piece graft fixation arrangement includes a graft block engageable with a graft and a transverse member engageable with the graft block to fix the graft block in a bone tunnel. Instruments and methods are presented for installing a graft in a bone tunnel and anchoring the graft with a transverse member placed through a transverse bore intersecting the bone tunnel.

Abstract: A two piece graft fixation arrangement includes a graft block engageable with a graft and a transverse member engageable with the graft block to fix the graft block in a bone tunnel. Instruments and methods are presented for installing a graft in a bone tunnel and anchoring the graft with a transverse member placed through a transverse bore intersecting the bone tunnel.