Abstract: A suture anchor assembly, adapted to be attached to a bone, that includes an anchor, which has an undeployed state in which it is soft and flexible, and which can be deployed into a deployed state which is compacted and hard, relative to the undeployed state, and defining a hold region, where the anchor is optimally held as the anchor is deployed. Also, one or more deployment strands are engaged into the anchor and extend out of the anchor, and wherein, when the anchor is in the undeployed state, holding the anchor at the hold region and pulling on the deployment strands compacts the anchor into the deployed state. Accordingly, the anchor can be introduced into a hole in bone and held in place at the hold region, as it is transformed into the deployed state by pulling on the deployment strands, thereby anchoring the anchor in the hole.

Abstract: A suture anchor assembly, adapted to be attached to a bone, that includes an anchor, which has an undeployed state in which it is soft and flexible, and which can be deployed into a deployed state which is compacted and hard, relative to the undeployed state, and defining a hold region, where the anchor is optimally held as the anchor is deployed. Also, one or more deployment strands are engaged into the anchor and extend out of the anchor, and wherein, when the anchor is in the undeployed state, holding the anchor at the hold region and pulling on the deployment strands compacts the anchor into the deployed state. Accordingly, the anchor can be introduced into a hole in bone and held in place at the hold region, as it is transformed into the deployed state by pulling on the deployment strands, thereby anchoring the anchor in the hole.

Abstract: A one-way loop locking suture assembly, that includes suture material, defining a lumen, with the suture material being comprised of a first terminal portion extending from the first end to a first broaching point, a medial portion extending from the first broaching to a second broaching point and a second terminal portion extending from the second broaching point to the second end. The first terminal portion enters into the lumen of the medial portion at the second broaching point, extends through the lumen of the medial portion and exits the lumen of the medial portion through the first broaching point, thereby forming a loop, wherein the medial portion includes the first terminal portion extending through the lumen of the medial portion. Accordingly, when the loop is tightened about a pair of pins, the lumen of the medial portion narrows, thereby retaining the first terminal length and preventing loosening.

Abstract: A suture assembly, including a button having two apertures and a suture defining a lumen and forming a double loop, formed by a double trap having a first end and a second end, opposed to the button. A first portion of the suture is threaded through the trap from the first end to the second end, and a second portion of the suture is threaded through the trap from the second end to the first end. The assembly further defines a first single trap, in which the first portion of the suture is threaded through the lumen between the second end and the button. Also defined by the assembly is a third trap, in which the second portion of the suture is threaded through the lumen between the first end and the button. Finally, the double loop is threaded through the two apertures of the button.

Abstract: A suture anchor assembly, adapted to be attached to a bone, that includes an anchor, which has an undeployed state in which it is soft and flexible, and which can be deployed into a deployed state which is compacted and hard, relative to the undeployed state, and defining a hold region, where the anchor is optimally held as the anchor is deployed. Also, one or more deployment strands are engaged into the anchor and extend out of the anchor, and wherein, when the anchor is in the undeployed state, holding the anchor at the hold region and pulling on the deployment strands compacts the anchor into the deployed state. Accordingly, the anchor can be introduced into a hole in bone and held in place at the hold region, as it is transformed into the deployed state by pulling on the deployment strands, thereby anchoring the anchor in the hole.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, soft suture anchors are provided that are made entirely of biocompatible suture material. In accordance with embodiments, soft suture anchors are provided that when deployed, an anchor engages a pilot hole.

Abstract: A one-way loop locking suture assembly, that includes suture material, defining a lumen, with the suture material being comprised of a first terminal portion extending from the first end to a first broaching point, a medial portion extending from the first broaching to a second broaching point and a second terminal portion extending from the second broaching point to the second end. The first terminal portion enters into the lumen of the medial portion at the second broaching point, extends through the lumen of the medial portion and exits the lumen of the medial portion through the first broaching point, thereby forming a loop, wherein the medial portion includes the first terminal portion extending through the lumen of the medial portion. Accordingly, when the loop is tightened about a pair of pins, the lumen of the medial portion narrows, thereby retaining the first terminal length and preventing loosening.

Abstract: A suture assembly, including a button having two apertures and a suture defining a lumen and forming a double loop, formed by a double trap having a first end and a second end, opposed to the button. A first portion of the suture is threaded through the trap from the first end to the second end, and a second portion of the suture is threaded through the trap from the second end to the first end. The assembly further defines a first single trap, in which the first portion of the suture is threaded through the lumen between the second end and the button. Also defined by the assembly is a third trap, in which the second portion of the suture is threaded through the lumen between the first end and the button. Finally, the double loop is threaded through the two apertures of the button.

Abstract: A one-way loop locking suture assembly, that includes suture material, defining a lumen, with the suture material being comprised of a first terminal portion extending from the first end to a first broaching point, a medial portion extending from the first broaching to a second broaching point and a second terminal portion extending from the second broaching point to the second end. The first terminal portion enters into the lumen of the medial portion at the second broaching point, extends through the lumen of the medial portion and exits the lumen of the medial portion through the first broaching point, thereby forming a loop, wherein the medial portion includes the first terminal portion extending through the lumen of the medial portion. Accordingly, when the loop is tightened about a pair of pins, the lumen of the medial portion narrows, thereby retaining the first terminal length and preventing loosening.

Abstract: A surgery using a suture assembly made of a continuous length of braided suture material defining an interior lumen, and forming a loop and a tail, and further comprising a first length and a second length, conceptually divided at a midpoint of the loop. The tail includes first, intermediate and second regions. The first region is formed by the first length breaching the second length and entering the interior lumen of the second length, and extending within the second length. The intermediate region is formed by the first length breaching and exiting the second length, so that the first length and the second length extend in adjacent relation. Finally, the third region is formed by the second length breaching the first length and entering the lumen of the first length and extending within the second length. The transitions between the regions of the tail offer resistance to slippage.

Abstract: A machine tool for pointing a plurality of wires is provided. The machine tool comprises a magazine, a base frame, a slide guide, a fixture, a grinder, and a numerical control system. The magazine is operable for holding the plurality of wires, to extend a wire end from the magazine and to allow relative freedom of rotation of the wires along their longitudinal axis. The slide guide is coupled to the base frame and extends from a loading station to a grinding station. The fixture has clamping sections operable to pivot toward each other to engage the wires therebetween. The numerical control system is operable to control the fixture and the grinder. The fixture is operable to translate along the slide guide to engage the wire end with the grinder. The fixture and the grinder cooperate to grind a desired number of facets into the wire end.