Abstract: A bone implant system may include a plurality of bone anchors, a superior rod attachable to a superior portion of a bone via the bone anchors, and an inferior rod attachable to an inferior portion of the bone via the bone anchors. The superior rod may have a superior end, and the inferior rod may have an inferior end. The superior rod may telescopically engage the inferior rod such that a cavity is present within at least one of the superior rod and the inferior rod and such that a length of the combined superior and inferior rods, measured between the superior end and the inferior end, is adjustable. The cavity may contain a micropump and a chamber. The micropump may be configured to expel fluid into the chamber to urge the length to increase.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for improving healing of an enthesis. An effective amount of a composition comprising one or more sex steroids and/or sex steroid equivalents is locally administered at the site of a repaired enthesis. The composition causes upregulation of one or more chondrogenic, angiogenic, and/or tendon modulation genes, resulting in improved healing of the enthesis. The improved enthesis healing occurs even where the subject has normal levels of sex hormones.

Abstract: A bone screw may be insertable into a bone, and may have a proximal member, a distal member with bone-engaging threads, wherein the distal member is configured to slidably engage the proximal member such that a variable-length cavity is defined within the proximal member and the distal member, and a tension member residing at least partially within the variable-length cavity. The tension member may have a proximal end coupled to the proximal member and a distal end coupled to the distal member such that, in response to motion of the distal member away from the proximal member, the tension member elongates and urges the distal member to move toward the proximal member. The proximal member and the distal member may be interconnected to share bending loads at a bending transmission feature.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a multiple suture threader. Embodiments of the multiple suture threader include a handle that is coupled with a first collapsible loop and a second collapsible loop that is axially offset from the first collapsible loop. In use, one or more sutures are doubled over each of the first and the second collapsible loops such that when the axially spaced loops are passed through a narrow axial passage of a surgical implant, a surgical instrument, or a bodily passage such as a bone tunnel, a twenty-five to fifty percent reduction in suture traffic, or in the maximum number of suture thicknesses that simultaneously pass through the narrow passage, is achieved. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly may include a male member removably couplable with a female member. The male member may include a male load-sharing feature having at least one male load-sharing surface. The female member may include a female load-sharing feature having at least one female load-sharing surface. The female load-sharing feature may be positioned and shaped to receive the male load-sharing feature therein. In response to a bending load acting on the bone fixation assembly, at least one of the male member and the female member may bend such that, at least a portion of the at least one male load-sharing surface engages with at least a portion of the at least one female load-sharing surface to distribute the bending load between the male member and the female member.

Abstract: A trephine may be used to form a tunnel through bone and/or cartilage. The trephine may have a trephine body with a generally tubular shape centered on a trephine body longitudinal axis, and a trephine body distal rim. The trephine may also have a drive shaft that receives torque and transmits the torque to the trephine body. The trephine body distal rim may lie substantially in a plane that is non-perpendicular to the trephine body longitudinal axis. The trephine may further have a cutting tooth extending distally from the trephine body distal rim. The cutting tooth may have a first distal tip and a second distal tip displaced circumferentially from the first distal tip. The trephine may be advanced while rotating to form the tunnel through bone and a first, adjacent cartilage surface of a joint, without breaching a second cartilage surface on the opposite side of the joint.

Abstract: A bone screw may be insertable into a bone. The bone screw may have a distal member with bone-engaging threads, a proximal member configured to slidably engage the distal member, and a tension member with a proximal end coupled to the proximal member, and a distal end coupled to the distal member such that, in response to motion of the distal member away from the proximal member, the tension member elongates and urges the distal member to move toward the proximal member.

Abstract: A bone screw may be insertable into a bone. The bone screw may have a distal member with bone-engaging threads, a proximal member configured to slidably engage the distal member, and a tension member with a proximal end coupled to the proximal member, and a distal end coupled to the distal member such that, in response to motion of the distal member away from the proximal member, the tension member elongates and urges the distal member to move toward the proximal member. The tension member may be configured such that, at a minimum length of the bone screw, the tension member is pre-stretched so that the tension member is under tension to urge the bone screw to shorten. The bone screw may be inserted in the pre-stretched state. A pre-stretch driver may be used to tension the bone screw prior to or during insertion.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing an osteotomy on a bone are presented. In one example of the invention, a method of performing an osteotomy on a bone includes removing a portion of bone from a first side of the bone to create a gap on the first side of the bone; making a cut on a second side of the bone, opposite the first side; and rotating the bone from a first position to a second position to close the gap on the first side of the bone and open the cut on the second side of the bone to create a gap on the second side of the bone.

Abstract: The disclosure provides devices and methods of use pertaining to intra joint stabilization. Embodiments include a number of suture returning and suture locking anchors that feature elongated sleeves configured to protect the associated bone tunnels from suture wipering, which results in abrasion and enlargement of the bone tunnel and leads to migration of the suture anchors. Embodiments also include suture locking anchors that lock via an interference fit between the suture strand and a receiver of the anchor and a set screw, where the receiver and the set screw each feature a number of gradual, opposing tapers to facilitate gradual proximal-to-distal gripping and releasing of the suture strand to achieve an optimal locking force while preventing severing of the suture strand. Further embodiments include intra joint reinforcement and stabilization constructs formed using the disclosed devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Implants, instruments, and methods are presented for fixing adjacent bone portions to promote fusion of the bone portion.

Abstract: A system for harvesting bone material from a bone may include a rotary cutter defining a rotary cutter longitudinal axis extending between a rotary cutter proximal end and a rotary cutter distal end. The rotary cutter may have a drive shaft configured to receive input torque, and an osteochondral cutter configured to cut the tissue and receive the tissue material in response to rotation of the osteochondral cutter under pressure against the tissue. The system may further include a bone port defining a bone port longitudinal axis extending between a bone port proximal end and a bone port distal end. The bone port may have a bone port cannulation sized to closely fit over the osteochondral cutter. At least one of the bone port proximal end and the bone port distal end may be securable to the tissue. A stratiform tissue graft may be delivered through the bone port.

Abstract: A bone screw may be insertable into a bone. The bone screw may have a distal member with bone-engaging threads, a proximal member configured to slidably engage the distal member, and a tension member with a proximal end coupled to the proximal member, and a distal end coupled to the distal member such that, in response to motion of the distal member away from the proximal member, the tension member elongates and urges the distal member to move toward the proximal member.

Abstract: A system for harvesting bone material from a bone may include a rotary cutter defining a rotary cutter longitudinal axis extending between a rotary cutter proximal end and a rotary cutter distal end. The rotary cutter may have a drive shaft configured to receive input torque, and an osteochondral cutter configured to cut the tissue and receive the tissue material in response to rotation of the osteochondral cutter under pressure against the tissue. The system may further include a bone port defining a bone port longitudinal axis extending between a bone port proximal end and a bone port distal end. The bone port may have a bone port cannulation sized to closely fit over the osteochondral cutter. At least one of the bone port proximal end and the bone port distal end may be securable to the tissue. A stratiform tissue graft may be delivered through the bone port.

Abstract: Devices and methods for anchoring soft tissue, tissue grafts, and the like to a bone are provided. In one example, an assembly includes a suture anchor, suture, and inserter. In another example, a method provides for reattaching soft tissue to a bone.

Abstract: A tether assembly may be attached to a bone to correct a rotational deformity. The bone may have a growth plate that separates a first section of the bone from a second section of the bone. The tether assembly may have a tether member with a first end, a second end, and a central portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first end may have a closed outer wall that defines and fully bounds a first aperture. The second end may have an open outer wall that defines and partially bounds a second aperture. The open outer wall may define a slot in communication with the second aperture. The first and second ends may be securable to the first and second sections of the bone via coupling members inserted through the first and second apertures and anchored in the first and second sections, respectively.

Abstract: Examples of devices and methods for stabilizing a fracture in a bone include a body having an elongate distal portion having an outer surface defining a screw thread and an elongate proximal portion having a non-threaded outer surface.

Abstract: Suture anchors and associated methods are disclosed having suture securing features able to lock suture ends extending from a body tissue, such as from a bone tunnel.

Abstract: Suture anchors are disclosed having suture locking features able to lock multiple suture ends extending from a body tissue, such as from a bone tunnel, with a single device.

Abstract: A system for harvesting bone material from a bone may include a rotary cutter defining a rotary cutter longitudinal axis extending between a rotary cutter proximal end and a rotary cutter distal end. The rotary cutter may have a drive shaft configured to receive input torque, and an osteochondral cutter configured to cut the tissue and receive the tissue material in response to rotation of the osteochondral cutter under pressure against the tissue. The system may further include a bone port defining a bone port longitudinal axis extending between a bone port proximal end and a bone port distal end. The bone port may have a bone port cannulation sized to closely fit over the osteochondral cutter. At least one of the bone port proximal end and the bone port distal end may be securable to the tissue. A stratiform tissue graft may be delivered through the bone port.