Abstract: A method of fixation for use within animal and human bodies provides for the insertion of brushes, of cylindrical and conical designs, into openings wherein bristles of the brushes are deflected by walls of the openings such that the brushes are locked in place and resist forces applied thereto. An embodiment of the invention includes boring a hole into a cancellous bone structure and inserting a brush into the hole. The hole is of a smaller diameter than the brush and is locked in the hole by the bristles. Tissue, such as tendon, may then be attached to material affixed to an end of the brush. Another embodiment of the method includes insertion of a brush into a blood vessel such that the blood flow is either occluded or strained by the bristles of the brush.

Abstract: An anchor for attaching an object within a tunnel extending through a workpiece such as a bone or a bone-like structure, and a method for using the same. The anchor includes a body and a plurality of barbs located in circumferentially spaced relation about the body. The barbs are formed of a material which may be elastically deformed from a normal configuration wherein the outer ends of the barbs extend radially outwardly of the body toward a configuration wherein the barbs are located generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. A diametrical opening in the front portion of the anchor is provided for engagement by a length of cord-like material such that the anchor may be pulled into a bone tunnel, and an opening in the rear portion of the anchor is provided for attaching either a ligament, tendon or the like to the anchor, or for grasping a bone plug or similar rigid object attached to a free end of the ligament, tendon or the like.

Abstract: A new method is shown whereby staples are closed to smaller heights so that virtually total hemostasis is possible. Also, the staple legs in alternate rows in the surgical stapler are made to interlock so that during closure, hemostasis is effected by the interlocking of the staple legs.

Abstract: A knotless suture anchor assembly for the attachment or reattachment or repair of tissue to a bone mass. The assembly allows for an endoscopic or open surgical procedure to take place without the requirement of tying a knot for reattachment of tissue to bone mass. A spike member is inserted through tissue mass through a loop and inserted into a dowel-like hollow anchoring sleeve which has been inserted into a bone mass. The spike member is securely fastened or attached to the anchoring sleeve with a ratcheting mechanism thereby pulling or adhering (attaching) the tissue to the bone mass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical implant made of a polymer or a polymeric compound which is substantially absorbable in tissue and contains reinforcing structures made of a polymer or a polymeric compound. The implant has a body with a first end formed as a stem and a second end formed as a head. The implant also contains arresting members for arresting the implant in a position in a direction opposite to the direction of installation. The stem protrudes from the outer surface of the body and substantially formed of at least one wing extending in the longitudinal direction of the body. The wing is connected to the body at one edge. The body contains a plurality of cuts adjacent the head which define the arresting members and are formed in a direction substantially parallel to the body.

Abstract: A suture anchor device having an anchor member with outwardly extending wing members and an actuating wedge member. The suture anchor device is inserted into a bore hole in a bone as part of an orthopedic surgical procedure wherein soft tissue such as a tendon or ligament is attached to the surface of the bone. The wing members are spread outwardly by the wedge member to lock the suture anchor device in the bone. The suture anchor has similar utility in soft tissue applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing soft tissues, tendons and ligaments to bone using a suture strand. The apparatus includes a spear member which is able to pierce and securely engage the bone. The spear member includes an eyelet which is able to carry the suture strand at a position along the midportion of the suture strand. The suture strand is secured to the bone upon engagement between the spear member and the bone. In addition, the ends of the suture strand are accessible to the surgeon so that they may be manipulated so as to secure the soft tissue to the bone.

Abstract: A suture anchor to secure a suture within a bore in a bone is disclosed, together with a suture anchor installation tool and method for deploying the suture anchor using the installation tool. The anchor includes a cylindrical body portion integrally associated with a generally conical-shaped end portion. At least one slot extends from the apex of the conical-shaped end portion into the cylindrical body portion forming at least two deformable tines. The tines flex toward one another as the anchor is inserted into the bore and are sufficiently resilient so as seek to return to an undeformed position once in the bone. The tines include outer edges disposed at the base of the conical-shaped end portions for preventing the suture anchor from being pulled out of the bore. The suture anchor installation tool includes an insertion member having an elongated body with a hollow interior sized so as to accommodate the suture anchor therein.

Abstract: A bone anchor installation tool is provided comprising a body having a distal end surface and a proximal end surface. An axial passageway extends between the distal end surface and the proximal end surface, with the distal end of the axial passageway being sized to receive at least a portion of a bone anchor. A shaft is slidably disposed within the axial passageway. The shaft is adapted to move between (i) a first retracted position wherein the shaft's distal end surface is withdrawn sufficiently far into the interior of the axial passageway so as to allow at least a portion of a bone anchor to be received therein, and (ii) a second extended position wherein the shaft's distal end surface projects out of the distal end of the axial passageway. A peripheral rib is formed on the exterior surface of the body so as to be yieldably engaged by a rib engaging element connected to the shaft as the shaft moves from its first retracted position to its second extended position.

Abstract: An anchor for attaching an object within a tunnel extending through a workpiece such as a bone or a bone-like structure, and a method for using the same. The anchor includes a body and a plurality of barbs located in circumferentially spaced relation about the body. The barbs are formed of a material which may be elastically deformed from a normal configuration wherein the outer ends of the barbs extend radially outwardly of the body toward a configuration wherein the barbs are located generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. A diametrical opening in the front portion of the anchor is provided for engagement by a length of cord-like material such that the anchor may be pulled into a bone tunnel, and an opening in the rear portion of the anchor is provided for attaching either a ligament, tendon or the like to the anchor, or for grasping a bone plug or similar rigid object attached to a free end of the ligament, tendon or the like.

Abstract: A fastener adapted to expand into bone has a tubular body having a longitudinal opening therethrough with a stop within the opening. The body has a head at one end and a longitudinal slot extends through the body near the other end to form ribs that expand radially when the body is compressed. A puller projects through the opening in the rivet and has a head that engages the other end to compress the rivet when the puller is pulled through the body. An annular recess is formed in the puller near the head and the other end of the body is crimped into the recess to aid expansion of the ribs. The puller is weakened at a point so that it will break upon continued pulling after the ribs reach a fully expanded state.

Abstract: A device for securing a previously removed cranial plate in position in a cranium to prevent relative movement between opposing bone edges includes a pin containing distal and proximal shanks having ends tapering to a relatively sharp point. The shanks are arranged preferably symmetrically about a central collar which has a dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shanks greater than the diameters of the shanks so that the collar forms distal and proximal opposing shoulders for limiting the insertion depth of the pin.

Abstract: An osteosynthesis clip is made of a thermoelastic martensitic alloy, the martensitic and austenitic transformation temperatures M.sub.s and A.sub.s of which can vary, depending on the applications, between -20.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. The clip includes side branches intended to be inserted on either side of the focus of a fracture of a bone to be repaired. The side branches are connected together by at least one connection portion. The side branches and the connection portion are educated respectively, to curve substantially toward the center of the clip and to shorten under the effect of temperature, when temperature exceeds the austenitic transformation temperature A.sub.s of the material. The clip is comprised of a unitary and monobloc wire consisting of the alloy. At least one of the side branches which form the clip is made by at least a partial folding back of the wire onto itself.

Abstract: A surgical clamp is provided for insertion into a clamp driving device. The surgical clamp has two parallel anchoring legs linked by a common rectilinear section (1c) or yoke. The rectilinear section or yoke is suitable for being inserted into the driving device. The rectilinear section or yoke has a flat top, a bottom, and two edges. The two edges merge with the flat top by a generously rounded profile. On the one hand, the two edges merge with the bottom by an inclined flank at an obtuse angle with respect to the vertical plane. At least one of the insides of the legs, the outsides of the legs, and bottom of the yoke is serrated.

Abstract: An elastic clip for osteosynthesis for connecting at least two bone parts together, comprising a body having at least two spaced legs, each leg having a lower end which can be inserted into a bone part and each having an upper end, the upper ends of said at least two legs being attached to corresponding ends of an elastic bridge which is deformable by pressure and which preferably comprises at least two elongated sections which extend alongside each other. Preferably, the clip has four legs attached in pairs to each of the ends of the bridge, the legs of each pair being attached together. The two elongated sections have at least a portion where they are not connected together, so that the two bridge sections can be forced apart to hold the bone parts in place. Alternatively, the two bridge sections are spaced apart and brought together to hold two bone parts together with a prescribed spacing.

Abstract: Suture anchor assembly for attaching soft tissue to bone. The assembly includes an elongated member having a self-tapping threaded portion at one proximal end, and an integral eyelet for receiving a suture at its distal end. The distal end further includes a receiver for a rotating driver device, such as a cannulated drill. The assembly is designed for endoscopic insertion of the anchor, with the suture extending along the central axis of the driver.

Abstract: A system and method for re-attaching soft tissue to bone. In its preferred embodiment, the system comprises pin means, sleeve means, driver means, suture anchor means and suture anchor installation tool means. In use, the soft tissue is placed against the surface of the bone in its desired re-attachment position. Then the pin means is passed through the soft tissue and into the bone to securely fix the pin means (and hence the soft tissue) to the bone. Then the patient's anatomy is manipulated as needed to determine if the soft tissue has been properly positioned relative to the bone. If the soft tissue is properly positioned, the surgeon proceeds to the next step in the procedure; if not, the pin means is removed and the tissue positioning operation repeated until the soft tissue has been positioned in the desired location. Next, the sleeve means is slid telescopically over the pin means, passed through the soft tissue and then, using the driver means, drilled into the bone.

Abstract: A protective carrier having a sleeve body with a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending longitudinally between them. One or more elements are disposed in the passageway proximate to the distal end for interlocking with a suture anchor to capture the suture anchor at least partially within the sleeve body. The carrier further includes one or more elements for aligning the sleeve body with a distal portion of a suture anchor driver to inhibit rotation of the sleeve body relative to the driver during and after insertion of the distal driver portion through the passageway.

Abstract: An improved anchoring device for use in bone holes, bone tunnels and other assorted workpieces, and being particularly compatible with fabrication from both polymeric and bioabsorbable materials. The improved anchoring device has novel fastening means which permit the anchor to be fastened within a bone hole or bone tunnel while minimizing the stress induced on the body of the anchor during installation.

Abstract: A device for holding in compression, a bone graft placed in the space between two vertebral bodies and from which a diseased or injured vertebral body has been removed, comprises an elongate space-spanning plate of implant grade material having a concavo-convex cross section, with an integral prong at each end to be driven into the vertebral bodies. Each prong has a proximal portion and a distal portion, with each portion having an inboard surface facing an inboard surface of the other prong, the inboard surfaces converging as they extend from the distal ends of the prongs toward the concave surface of the plate to urge the vertebral bodies toward each other as the prongs are driven into them. The outboard surface at the proximal portion of the prong is parallel to the inboard surface and at the distal portion converges from the proximal portion to intersection with the inboard surface at the distal end of the prong.

Abstract: A surgical screw has a head being, at least in a portion, hemispherical. A smooth continuous join exists between the head and a shank of the screw, the head being of the same, or larger, diameter as the shank. To drive the screw a drive socket is provided concentrically within the head, and a cannulation is provided concentrically of the shank and it opens into the socket so as to allow the screw to be threaded along a guide wire or similar. The shank has a smooth or soft thread so as to provide an interlocking fixation of a bone end of a tendon graft within a prepared hole of a bone, but without damaging either bone structures. The hemispherical portion provides a smooth continuous curved surface over which a graft may flex and move without fatigue or suffering stress concentrations.

Abstract: Surgical kits for the implantation of soft tissue-to-bone anchors and expandable, preferably bioabsorbable, soft tissue anchors. The surgical kits include an embodiment with an outer tube with an expandable anchor releasably attached to its distal end, for guiding the anchor into a predrilled hole; an inner tube with an anchor expanding pin sized for expanding the anchor releasably held in its bore; and a pushrod for pushing the anchor pin into the anchor to expand it and wedge it in a hole. In an alternative embodiment, the anchor pin is attached to the distal end of a pushrod inserted into an outer tube. In one embodiment, the anchor is equipped with downward extending spikes on the underside of an enlarged head for gripping soft tissue and bending barbs to resist withdrawal of the anchor from bone. In another embodiment, the anchor's proximal end has no enlarged head but is equipped with sutures.

Abstract: A device for repairing torn tissue or muscle such as the meniscus of the knee. The device consists of a pair of needles detachably secured to a pair of anchoring members having a plurality of barb-like projections extending outwardly therefrom. The anchoring members are joined by a suture which connects the ends of the anchoring members opposite the needles.

Abstract: An anchor for attaching an object to a bone-like structure, and a method for deploying the same. The anchor includes a body and a plurality of barbs. The barbs are located in axially aligned, circumferentially spaced relation to each other about the body. Each barb is elastically deformable, and has a normal configuration which extends rearwardly and radially outwardly from the body to an outer end which is located outside of a longitudinal projection of the largest geometric cross-section of the body, as taken transverse to its longitudinal axis. A bore extends transversely through the front portion of the body and is adapted to receive a length of cord-like material, whereby the anchor may be pulled along a bone tunnel. An opening extends transversely through the rear portion of the body and is adapted for connecting the object to the anchor. A slot or interior passageway extends from the front of the anchor to the opening, so as to provide frontal access to the opening.

Abstract: Suture anchor assembly for attaching soft tissue to bone. The assembly includes an elongated member having a self-tapping threaded portion at one proximal end, and an integral eyelet for receiving a suture at its distal end. The distal end further includes a receiver for a rotating driver device, such as a cannulated drill. The assembly is designed for endoscopic insertion of the anchor with the suture extending along the central axis of the driver.

Abstract: A suture anchor for anchoring one end of a conventional suture to bone comprising a coupling member, at least one barb made of a resilient elastic material projecting form said coupling member, and means for attaching one end of a suture to said suture anchor. The coupling member and the at least one barb and adapted to securely anchor one end of the suture in bone when the suture is attached to the attachment means so that the other end of the suture extending outside the bone can be used to attach objects to the bone. A novel application tool is also provided.

Abstract: An anchor for attaching an object to a bone-like structure, and a method for deploying same is provided. The anchor includes a body and a plurality of barbs. The barbs are located in axially aligned, circumferentially spaced relation to each other about the body. Each barb is elastically deformable, and has a normal configuration which extends rearwardly and radially outwardly from the body to an outer end located outside a longitudinal projection of the largest geometric cross-section of the body transverse to its longitudinal axis. A bore for engagement by a length of cord-like material extends through the front portion of the body. An opening oriented perpendicularly to the bore extends through the rear portion of the body. A longitudinal slot aligned with the opening connects the front end of the body to the opening.

Abstract: An arbor press staple and washer of the invention is for use in a practice of a surgical procedure for securing a ligament, that is either natural or prosthetic, onto a bone cortex surface and includes a staple having spaced equal parallel legs with a flat web arranged between the top ends of the staple legs. The staple is for driving into a bone cortex surface and includes barb ridges around three of its four sides for resisting staple withdrawal. The staple flat web includes at least one hole, that is preferably tapped, formed therethrough that is for receiving a threaded section of a threaded pin turned therethrough, and includes a pair of guide posts that extend, at right angles, from the web undersurface. An arbor plate type washer, that is a flat plate that has concave notches formed in opposite ends, is for arrangement between the staple legs, the concave notches sliding along the staple legs prohibiting washer rotation.

Abstract: An improved laparoscopic technique for treating female urinary incontinence and devices for use therein. These devices include an urethral sound, a stapling device, and a staple saw. The sound is substantially L-shaped having a handle at one end and a probe tip at the opposite end. The probe tip has a plurality of beads protruding therefrom which are observable through the wail of the bladder enabling the junction between the lower border of the bladder and urethra to be located. The stapling device attaches the pelvic floor to the pubic bone. The stapling device comprises of a handle, a stapling head, and an elongated member extending therebetween. The stapling head is pivotally attached to the elongated member. A push rod advances a pair of target pins to anchor the pelvic floor to the pubic bone. A small trigger loads staples into a discharge chamber. A large trigger discharges staples from the stapling head into the pelvic floor and pubic bone.

Abstract: The improved channel ligament clamp of the invention is for human implantation in a surgical procedure for securing a ligament, that is either natural or prosthetic, onto a bone cortex and includes, as a clamp body, a rectangular section of a thin, flat metal material, such as titanium, with identical equal opposite edge portions of which material bent at approximately right angles forming upstanding parallel side walls. Edges of which upstanding parallel side walls are for contacting a bone surface whereto the clamp is secured to closely contain a ligament section therebetween without crushing it, and which parallel side walls are the side walls of a channel section with the flat material therebetween constituting the channel section web. Which channel section web includes a plurality of pointed end parallel pins secured thereto that extend at right angles and are parallel to clamp the side walls.

Abstract: A device for repairing torn tissue or muscle such as the meniscus of the knee. The device consists of a pair of needles detachably secured to a pair of anchoring members having a plurality of barb-like projections extending outwardly therefrom. The anchoring members are joined by a suture which connects the ends of the anchoring members opposite the needles.

Abstract: A suture anchor and anchor driver device for securely and accurately positioning and installing the suture anchor in place. The anchor has a rounded or pointed head and one or more ridges around it to help force fit the anchor into a hole and to hold it in place. A suture is positioned through the anchor for subsequent use during the surgical procedure. The driver device has a handle and an elongated shaft and is used to position and install the anchor in place. The anchor preferably snap fits onto the end of the shaft. A depth guide can be integrally or removably positioned on the shaft to ensure correct depth of placement. Alternately, the driver shaft is hollow and the anchor is positioned inside it and is implanted with a pusher member. The ends of the suture are affixed to the driver handle. Grooves can be provided on the driver and the anchor to prevent the suture from interfering with the positioning and installation procedure.

Abstract: A bone anchor, for securing a suture to a bone, has an open proximal end and a body that tapers to a solid distal tip. The anchor is placed deep in a borehole in a bone using an insertion instrument that is inserted through the open proximal end of the anchor. The tip of the instrument is a spherical knob that snaps into a corresponding recess inside the anchor. The instrument has an oval cross-section that does not bear against the walls of the anchor during insertion. Once the anchor is in place, however, the anchor is expanded by rotating the instrument to bring the exterior of the instrument into contact with the walls of the anchor. The anchor is free to pivot about the spherical knob on the instrument, which allows the anchor to orient itself to the shape and size of the borehole.

Abstract: A bone anchor (10) for securing a suture to a bone (38). The bone anchor (10) has a tip (16) at its distal end (18) and at least one resilient wall (27) extending to a trailing end (20) of the body (12) of the anchor. The wall (27) has a ridge (14), or barb, formed on an outer surface. The ridge (14) defines an edge (34) that digs into a hole (36) in the bone (38) in which it is positioned. A strand of suturing thread (22) extends through a suture receiving opening (24) in the tip (16) of the anchor. The method of the present invention employs the suture anchor (10) and includes the steps of forming a hole (36) in a bone (38) and inserting the suture anchor (10) to a desired depth in the hole (36) in the bone (38) using an inserter device (100). Suturing thread ( 22) extends from the suture receiving opening (24) in the tip and along the length of the walls (27,28) out of the hole (36) in the bone (38). An anchor spreader (130) is used to firmly seat the anchor (10) in the hole (36).

Abstract: A fixation device for securing a prosthetic ligament to a bone and which comprises a bone staple having a head portion by means of which the staple can be driven into the bone, and a pair of legs extending from the head and having ends engageable into the bone, characterized by a stirrup for guiding the driving movement of the staple and arranged also to cooperate with the staple in order to enable the prosthetic ligament to engage the staple and the stirrup and to be securable to the bone upon completion of driving of the staple into the bone, the stirrup comprising two generally parallel side portions which define guides to receive the legs of the staple and to guide the driving movement of the legs, and also defining an aperture through which the ligament can be taken prior to securement of the ligament to the bone.

Abstract: A system for attaching an object to a workpiece including an anchor assembly and an installation tool is provided. The anchor assembly includes a body and at least two barbs. The body has a first portion having a first end, a reduced second portion having a second end and a middle portion connecting the first and second ends of the first and second portions respectively. The barbs extend from the first end of the first portion axially and radially outwardly to outer ends located radially outwardly of an axial projection of the maximum transverse cross-section of the first portion. Each barb is curved in its normal unstressed state, but is capable of being elastically deformed into longitudinal channels in the middle portion of the anchor assembly. The anchor assembly is deployed in a hole in the workpiece by an installation tool which is adapted to receive the reduced second portion of the anchor assembly in its distal end.

Abstract: A suture anchor for anchoring one end of a conventional suture to bone comprising a coupling member, at least one barb made of a resilient elastic material projecting form said coupling member, and means for attaching one end of a suture to said suture anchor. The coupling member and the at least one barb and adapted to securely anchor one end of the suture in bone when the suture is attached to the attachment means so that the other end of the suture extending outside the bone can be used to attach objects to the bone. A novel application tool is also provided.

Abstract: An object is attached to a bone by using blind rivets. The blind rivets can be set from the outside of the bone. Each blind rivet has a body, with a head on one end, and a mandrel extending from the head end of the body. A hole is formed in the bone. The rivet is inserted through the object and into the bone through a hole in the bone cortex. The rivet is set by pulling on the mandrel with the rivet gun. The rivet secures the object to the proximal cortex layer of the bone. The method is used to attach objects such as plates and hip sockets to bone. In addition, the rivet can be provided with serrations on the head, wherein the rivet attaches soft tissue, such as muscle tendons, to bone.

Abstract: A compression surgical staple for bone to bone fixation along a fracture line includes spring means for driving the fractured interfaces together.

Abstract: A bone anchor (10) for securing a suture to a bone (38). The bone anchor (10) has a tip (16) at its distal end (18) and at least one resilient wall (27) extending to a trailing end (20) of the body (12) of the anchor. The wall (27) has a ridge (14), or barb, formed on an outer surface. The ridge (14) defines an edge (34) that digs into a hole (36) in the bone (38) in which it is positioned. A strand of suturing thread (22) extends through a suture receiving opening (24) in the tip (16) of the anchor. When tension is applied to the suturing thread (22), it causes the ridge (14) to dig into the walls of the hole (36) in the bone (38). Two resilient walls (27,28) are preferably provided which include an annular ridge-shaped barb (14). The two resilient walls 27, 28 scissor outwardly upon application of tension to the suturing thread. The tip (16) is generally frustoconical with a rounded leading end.

Abstract: A soft tissue anchor involving a footing stud that includes a drill end followed by self tapping threads, the footing stud arranged for turning and tapping into a bone mass. The footing stud for endosteal seating at a ligament attachment site on that bone mass. A center longitudinal hole is arranged in that footing stud rear end that receives and locks to a pointed cone base end edge of a tack that is fitted therein. The tack includes a tack shaft whereto is axially attached, on one end, the pointed cone base with a broad head secured to the other shaft end. The tack broad head is disk shaped and includes spikes that project at spaced radial intervals from the undersurface thereof, parallel to the shaft, and includes a center axial threaded post that extends outwardly from a top surface thereof. Which threaded post is for turning into a threaded end of a tack driver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interosseous bone fixation. Portions of bone on opposite sides of a fracture are compressed toward each other by inserting the opposite ends of a bone staple into each bone portion and crimping the central portion of the staple. A bone staple having a central web portion adapted to be crimped into substantially an inverted V shape is also disclosed. Various devices for crimping a bone staple are also disclosed.

Abstract: A soft tissue washer for use with a cancellous screw for attaching soft tissue, such as ligaments, to bone has posts disposed on a distal face of a washer body to limit penetration of sharp pins extending from the distal face into soft tissue, an annular recess disposed is the distal face to receive and clamp soft tissue, recess portions deeper than the annular recess disposed in the distal face to relieve compression of soft tissue, a dished recess in a proximal face of the washer body to entirely receive the head of the cancellous screw such that the head does not protrude from the washer and suture retention passages extending from the dished recess to a lateral rim of the washer for receiving sutures.

Abstract: A ligament fixation device and system for its use that includes a channel ligament clamp (10) fabricated for human implantation and consisting of a channel section having a web (13) between parallel sides wherefrom sections have been removed leaving spaced apart pointed spikes (11) that extend outwardly from walls (12), the channel web including a group of pointed pins (15) that extend therefrom parallel and alongside the spikes (11), and at least one screw-type fastener hole (14) formed therethrough. The system of the invention includes tooling for locating a ligament on a bone surface and scoring that surface for drilling. After drilling, a right angle post (22) of a drilling guide (21) is fitted into that drilled hole (20) and the drill guide longitudinal axis is aligned with the ligament location on the bone surface, which drilling guide has an array of spike and pin holes formed therethrough for receiving a drill turned individually therethrough into the bone surface.

Abstract: A new and improved suture anchor of the sort adapted to anchor an intermediate portion of a piece of conventional suture in bone, and a new and improved installation tool for deploying the same, said installation tool being adapted to releasably hold at least one curved needle which is attached to said piece of conventional suture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the permanent surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in the human knee, which will stabilize the tibia and femur relative to each other and restore a full range of motion to the knee, by precisely locating the ends and angular relationship of a replacement ligament within the knee joint, at bone attachment sites such that the degree of shortening and lengthening experienced by the replacement ligament over the range of joint motion is either as close to zero (isometric) as possible, or closely matches that of the natural uninjured ligament (physometric), whichever the surgeon feels is most desirable.

Abstract: An adjustable staple to be used in bone surgery, comprising a horizontally laying U-shaped member having upper and lower arms wherein the lower arm is movable parallel to itself, and relative to the upper arm, and with the upper arm being fixed, a connecting segment between the arms, including means facilitating relative movement between the arms and means facilitating fastening of the lower arm in any selected position along said movement, said means facilitating movement including a dovetail joint between a first portion of the connecting segment orthogonal to the upper arm and a second portion of the connecting segment orthogonal to the lower arm.

Abstract: A bone nailer adapted for use with an elongate nail or screw like insert that has a head portion, and a smaller diameter embedable portion projecting from the head portion. The nailer includes a housing having an inner surface defining a through passageway with a portion of the inner surface adjacent an outlet opening of the passageway being adapted to receive the insert with its head portion farthest from the outlet opening and to guide the head portion during movement of the insert through the outlet opening.

Abstract: A suture anchor for anchoring one end of a conventional suture to bone comprising a coupling member, at least one barb made of a resilient elastic material projecting from said coupling member, and structure for use in attaching one end of a suture to said suture anchor. The coupling member and the at least one barb are adapted to securely anchor one end of the suture in bone when the suture is attached to the attachment structure, so that the other end of the suture extending outside the bone can be used to attach objects to the bone. A novel application tool is also provided.