| Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120116452 | Method and Apparatus for Soft Tissue Fixation - A positioning member may be released to move an anchor member to a holding position. The positioning member being operable to be held in a selected orientation until the anchor member is in a selected position. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120116409 | Localized Cartilage Defect Therapy - An isolation device for repairing a cartilage defect including a syringe and a barrier device. The barrier device is connected to the syringe. The barrier device is sized to surround and contain the cartilage defect, and is configured to provide a seal around the cartilage defect for application of a positive pressure and a negative pressure from the device. The device is configured to provide a localized therapy to the cartilage defect. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120116402 | Apparatus and Method for Arthroscopic Transhumeral Rotator Cuff Repair - Apparatuses are provided for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair incorporating a transhumeral bone tunnel. The apparatus comprises a number of components that can also be considered a repair system to include a drill guide, a marking hook, and a drill with a removable tip that serves as a bone anchor. In additional aspects of the invention, the components of the drill guide assembly comprise a cannulated marking hook and a drill guide with multiple bores. In additional aspects of the invention, an implantable bone anchor is provided that is especially adapted for placement through a bone tunnel, and wherein the implantable anchor is collapsible to increase the effective size of the anchor for securing the anchor to the far side opening of the bone tunnel through which the anchor was placed. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120095470 | Method and Apparatus for Coupling Soft Tissue to a Bone - A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The method includes bringing a bone cutting tool extending along a longitudinal axis into engagement with an outer surface of the bone. The bone cutting tool is rotated about the longitudinal axis while driving it from the outer surface of the bone to a predetermined depth in the bone to form a bore. The bone cutting tool is then continuously rotated at the predetermined depth to establish an enlarged bone pocket at a distal end of the bore. The bone pocket defines a shoulder extending around a circumference between the bone pocket and bore. The bone cutting tool is removed from the bone pocket and bore. The fixation device is then inserted into the bone pocket through the bore, where it is seated against the bone pocket shoulder. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120089193 | Fracture Fixation Device - Assemblies for securing fractured bone are provided. The assembly includes a first fixation element, a second fixation element, and an adjustable flexible member construct. The first fixation element having a male or a female sleeve is secured within a first portion of the fractured bone. The second fixation element having the other of the male or female sleeve telescopically received within the one of the male or female sleeve is secured within a second portion of the fractured bone. The adjustable flexible member construct extends between the first and second fixation elements and has at least one adjustable loop coupled to the first fixation element and the second fixation element and a pair of adjusting ends extending through an opening in the first fixation element. The pair of adjusting ends can be pulled to reduce a diameter of the adjustable loop and to compress fragments of the fractured bone. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120059418 | Method and Apparatus for Tensioning a Suture - An apparatus can include a tensioning member having a body defining a first bone engaging surface, a second opposite suture receiving surface, and an outer perimeter. First and second suture attachment members can be positioned relative to the second surface and spaced apart from each other, and can be configured to be coupled to a suture. First and second suture engaging members can extend from the second surface and can be positioned in spaced relation to the first and second suture attachment members. Rotation of the tensioning member in a first direction can selectively engage the first and second suture receiving members with the suture, thereby forming a non-linear path of travel of the suture relative to the first and second suture attachment members and suture engaging members and increasing the tension in the suture. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120059417 | Method and Apparatus for Coupling Soft Tissue to a Bone - A method can include forming a bore in a bone of a patient and positioning a first anchor in the bore. The first anchor can have a self-locking adjustable suture construct extending therefrom that can include first and second adjustable loops. The first adjustable loop can be positioned about a first portion of the soft tissue and the second adjustable loop can be positioned about a second portion of the soft tissue different than the first portion. A coupling element carried by the second adjustable loop can be coupled to the first adjustable loop. An end of the adjustable suture construct can be tensioned to reduce a size of the first and second adjustable loops to couple the soft tissue to the bone. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120046693 | Method and Apparatus for Forming a Self-Locking Adjustable Loop - An apparatus can include a first flexible member having first and second ends and a first body extending therebetween, where the first body defines a first passage portion. A second flexible member can have first and second ends and a second body extending therebetween, where the second body defines second and third passage portions. The first end of the first flexible member passes into and through the second passage portion such that the first end extends outside of the second passage portion, and the second end of the first flexible member passes into and through the third passage portion such that the second end extends outside of the third passage portion. The first and second ends of the second flexible member pass into and through the first passage portion to form a self-locking adjustable flexible member construct. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120041486 | Method and Apparatus for Fracture Fixation - A method for supporting a first bone portion relative to a second bone portion can include: (a) aligning the first bone portion relative to the second bone portion, (b) forming a bore extending through the first bone portion and the second bone portion through a void defined by opposing surfaces of the first and second bone portions after the aligning of the first bone portion with the second bone portion, (c) disposing a pin in the bore to span the void, wherein the pin includes a coupler, (d) drawing a self-locking, adjustable suture construct coupled to the coupler through the bore by withdrawing the pin from the bore, and (e) compressing the first bone portion and the second bone portion between a first anchor and a second anchor coupled to the suture construct by tensioning the suture construct. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120041485 | Method and Apparatus for Coupling Soft Tissue to a Bone - A method for coupling soft tissue to bone including: positioning a first anchor in a first bone bore, the first anchor having a first self-locking adjustable suture construct including a first adjustable loop, a second adjustable loop, and a pair of first ends; positioning a second anchor in a second bone bore, the second anchor having a second self-locking adjustable suture construct including a third adjustable loop, a fourth adjustable loop, and a second end; positioning the first adjustable loop relative to the soft tissue; positioning the second adjustable loop about the third adjustable loop; and tensioning the pair of first ends and the second end to pull the first adjustable loop against the soft tissue, couple the second adjustable loop to the third adjustable loop, pull the second adjustable loop against the soft tissue, and pull the third adjustable loop against the soft tissue. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120016474 | Apparatus and Method for Tibial Fixation of Soft Tissue - Methods for fixation of a soft tissue graft in a bone including: forming in the bone a tunnel defining an entrance opening and an exit opening at opposite ends of the tunnel, the tunnel including an anterior wall surface and a posterior wall surface opposite to the anterior wall surface; positioning the soft tissue graft within the tunnel such that the soft tissue graft extends through both the entrance opening and the exit opening of the tunnel; inserting a graft fixation apparatus into the tunnel and driving spikes of the graft fixation apparatus into the posterior wall surface to mount the graft fixation apparatus to the posterior wall surface of the tunnel such that the graft fixation apparatus is anterior to the posterior wall surface and is not recessed beneath the posterior wall surface; and securing the soft tissue graft inside the tunnel with the graft fixation apparatus. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20110301708 | Method and Apparatus for Soft Tissue Fixation - An anchor assembly for retaining a graft in an anatomy. The anchor assembly includes an anchor body, a flexible connector, and a graft holding member. The anchor body includes a first connector bore defined by the anchor body. The flexible connector extends through the first connector bore. The graft holding member is attached to the flexible connector and is configured to hold the graft. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110295279 | Method and Apparatus for Passing a Suture - A suture passing instrument includes an operation handle, a cannulated needle member, a suture pusher, and a guide tube. The handle has an actuator movable between first and second positions. The needle member extends from the operation handle. The needle member has a curved end portion. The needle member has an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a bore extending through the needle member for receiving a suture. The suture pusher is movable within the needle member from a retracted position to an extended position. The guide tube has a body telescopically receiving a retriever loop. The loop is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A suture can be moved by the suture pusher and captured by the retriever loop. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110270306 | Method and Apparatus for Coupling Soft Tissue to Bone - A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. A bone engaging fastener is coupled to bone. A second fastener is coupled to a suture construction. The second fastener is coupled to the first fastener. Soft tissue is coupled to the suture construction. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110264141 | Flexible Anchors for Tissue Fixation - An anchor for securing tissue to bone can include a flexible first tubular member, a flexible second tubular member, and a first suture member. The first tubular member can include a first wall defining a first passage between first and second ends. The second tubular member can include a second wall defining a second passage between first and second ends. The first suture member can couple the first tubular member and the second tubular member. The first suture member can pass through the first wall and the first passage and the second wall and the second passage. The first tubular member and the second tubular member can engage each other and deform to form an anchoring mass upon tensioning the first suture member. A method of preparing an anchor for securing tissue to bone and a method of securing a tissue to a bone are also provided. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110224799 | Method for Trochanteric Reattachment - A method for trochanteric reattachment can include positioning a femoral prosthesis relative to a proximal portion of a femur. A first portion of a self-locking adjustable flexible member construct can be coupled to a first attachment region of the prosthesis, and a second portion of the self-locking adjustable flexible member construct can be coupled to a second attachment region of the femoral prosthesis, where the second portion can be opposite the first portion. A trochanter can be positioned relative to the femur and a trochanteric engaging region of the prosthesis, and the self-locking adjustable flexible member construct can be positioned around an outer surface of the trochanter. Free ends of the self-locking adjustable flexible member construct can be tensioned to draw the trochanter into secure engagement with the prosthesis and the femur via the self-locking adjustable flexible member construct in an absence of a knot. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110218625 | Method and Apparatus for Fixation of an ACL Graft - A system for use in graft fixation in a knee reconstruction procedure can include a first femoral fixation member adapted to be retained relative to a first end of a femoral tunnel and a first self-locking adjustable flexible member construct having a passage portion with a pair of free ends and a pair of self-locking adjustable loops. The first flexible member construct can be interconnected to the first femoral fixation member. A second femoral fixation member can be coupled to the first flexible member construct and can be adapted to be positioned in the femoral tunnel relative to a second end of the femoral tunnel adjacent a joint space between the femur and a tibia. A second self-locking adjustable flexible member construct having a passage portion with a pair of free ends and a pair of self-locking adjustable loops can be interconnected to the second femoral fixation member. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110213416 | Adjustable Knotless Loops - Methods of attaching a soft tissue to an adjacent bone at a defect site are provided. At least one adjustable loop of a flexible construct is passed through the soft tissue. The at least one adjustable loop is passed through a passage construct. A locking member is passed through the at least one adjustable loop and the adjustable loop is reduced about or within the locking member such that the at least one loop is frictionally retained in the passage construct and locked in place by the locking member to thereby secure the soft tissue. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110213376 | Patient-Specific Osteotomy Devices and Methods - An osteotomy method includes attaching a patient-specific osteotomy guide to a corresponding surface of a tibia of a patient and making an osteotomy at a patient-specific orientation through a resection slot of the osteotomy guide. The osteotomy guide is removed and first and second faces of the osteotomy are opened to form an implant insertion angle. The first and second faces of the osteotomy are secured at the implant insertion angle and an osteotomy implant having a patient-specific wedge angle that is smaller than the implant insertion angle is implanted. The first and second faces of the osteotomy are brought to the patient-specific wedge angle and in contact with the osteotomy implant. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110208240 | Method and Apparatus for Soft Tissue Fixation - A surgical method can include passing at least two adjustable loops of a flexible construct through at least the first tissue to extend from an outer surface of the first tissue opposite a tissue engaging surface facing the second tissue, and attaching the two adjustable loops to a first selected area of the second tissue. The method can further include positioning an elongated locking member within the two adjustable loops such that the locking member extends between the two adjustable loops adjacent the outer surface, engaging the locking member with the outer surface by drawing the two adjustable loops towards the outer surface, and compressing the first tissue between the locking member and the second tissue by tensioning the two adjustable loops. Related tissue fixation devices are also provided. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110208239 | Method and Apparatus for Forming a Self-Locking Adjustable Loop - A self-locking adjustable loop construction and a method of forming the construction are disclosed. The construction can include a flexible member having a first end, a second end and a first portion therebetween. The first end can be passed back through the first portion at a first point such that the first end passes through the first portion from a first side of the flexible member to a second opposite side of the flexible member. The first end can be passed through the first portion at a second point spaced apart from the first point such that the first end passes through the first portion from the second side to the first side so as to place the second end outside of the first portion. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110160768 | Soft Tissue Repair Device and Associated Methods - A method for repairing a defect in a fibrous soft tissue includes passing a distal portion of an inserter through corresponding longitudinal bores of first and second anchors. The method includes coupling the first and second anchors with a flexible strand, and forming an adjustable knotless loop with the flexible strand. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110160767 | Soft Tissue Repair Device and Associated Methods - A fibrous tissue repair device includes first and second tubular anchors having corresponding longitudinal passages. The tissue repair device includes corresponding first and second inserters. Each inserter has a shaft with a distal portion received in the longitudinal passage of the corresponding tubular anchor. A flexible strand couples the first and second anchors. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110153018 | Method and Apparatus for Graft Fixation - An apparatus and method for performing a surgery, especially an ACL replacement surgery, where a flexible strand insertion rod co-operates with a U-Guide apparatus to insert a flexible strand into a tunnel formed in a bone portion and to guide a pair of drill points to form a pair of tunnels transversely to the tunnel of the insertion rod. The drill points are guided through the insertion rod and the flexible strand is held over the drill points as the transverse tunnels are formed. The insertion rod is then removed from the tunnels formed in the bone and the flexible strand is held looped over the second drill point. Subsequently, a soft tissue replacement is affixed to one end of the flexible strand and pulled over up to the first drill point with the other end of the flexible strand. The first drill point is then used to pull a cross pin through the transverse tunnel to hold the looped end of the soft tissue replacement in place. Finally, the two free ends of the soft tissue replacement are affixed to the bone completing the implantation of a soft tissue replacement. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110106153 | Method and Apparatus for Sternal Closure - A method and apparatus for securing a fractured or sectioned sternum in a patient's body is disclosed. The apparatus can include an attachment member and an adjustable flexible member construct. The attachment member can have a flexible member holder. The adjustable flexible member construct can have first and second ends and a body defining at least one passage portion. The first and second ends can be passed into and through the at least one passage portion via first and second openings associated with the at least one passage portion of the adjustable flexible member construct to form a pair of loops. The attachment member can be configured to be coupled to at least one of the formed pair of loops. The adjustable flexible member construct can be positioned about the sternum and can be reduced to compress the fractured or sectioned sternum. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110100173 | Method and Apparatus for Sizing a Material - A method and apparatus for sizing a member. The apparatus may include a first member and a second member movable relative to one another to impinge the member. The apparatus may be used in a small area to achieve a selected sizing of the member. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110098727 | Method and Apparatus for Securing Soft Tissue to Bone - A method and apparatus for securing soft tissue to bone can include forming a bore in the bone and carrying a flexible suture anchor into the bore. The flexible anchor can include a passage and can be coupled to a suture construct. The suture construct can include at least one self-locking adjustable loop, and the flexible anchor can include a first profile while being carried into the bore. A shape of the flexible anchor can be changed from the first profile to a second profile forming an anchoring mass to retain the flexible anchor in the bore. Tension can be applied to a portion of the suture construct to reduce a size of the self-locking adjustable loop and secure the soft tissue relative to the flexible anchor and the bone. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110087284 | Soft Tissue Repair and Conduit Device - A soft tissue repair device includes a deformable tubular member having a longitudinal bore extending between first and second open ends and a flexible strand passing through the longitudinal bore of the tubular member. The flexible strand has a first end portion extending outside the first open end of the tubular member and a second portion forming a first loop that passes through the second open end of the tubular member and an intermediate opening between the first and second open ends of the tubular member. Pulling the first end portion of the flexible strand away from the tubular member deforms a portion of the tubular member between the second open end and the intermediate opening into a folded shape forming a soft tissue anchor. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110054526 | Methods and Apparatuses for Securing Suture - Various suture anchors and surgical methods are provided. A two-part suture anchor is provided having a continuously threaded anchor body defining an axial bore and a pin. The pin includes a tip and a plate defining at least two suture receiving openings aligned in a single plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the axial bore is disposed in anchor body. Methods of attaching soft tissue to bone are also provided. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110004258 | Fixation Device for Delivery of Biologic Material Between Soft Tissue and Bone - A fixation device for delivery of biological material between soft tissue and bone. The fixation device includes an anchor having a first longitudinal bore and a first radial extending delivery bore and an insert having a second longitudinal bore and a second radial extending delivery bore. The first and second radial extending bores are aligned and positioned relative to a head of the anchor to deliver the biologic material between the soft tissue and the bone. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100312341 | Method for Soft Tissue Attachment - An apparatus and method for fixing a selected graft relative to a selected anatomical portion. An anchor may be provided that may be interconnected with a selected graft portion that is operable to pass through a selected bore and then moved into an operable position to engage a selected portion of the bore to substantially eliminate the possibility of the graft moving in an unselected direction through the bore. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100292792 | Prosthetic Ligament System for Knee Joint - A system for a knee joint includes a first fastener and a second fastener operable to be connected to the tibia and femur, respectively. Furthermore, the system includes a flexible prosthetic ligament member. The ligament member is operably coupled to the first and second fasteners to support the tibia and the femur for relative movement. The ligament member extends from a first end to a second end, and includes an outer wall that defines a hollow longitudinal passage portion. The first end extends into and out of the longitudinal passage portion through the outer wall to define a first adjustable loop, and the second end extends into and out of the longitudinal passage portion through the outer wall to define a second adjustable loop. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100286795 | Stable Cartilage Defect Repair Plug - An apparatus and method of distributing a load to a cartilage defect repair plug is provided. A load is applied to a first articulation layer. The load is distributed to a second layer and the load is transferred in the normal direction to the first density of subchondral bone. The load is distributed to a third layer and the load is transferred in the normal direction to a second density of subchondral bone. The load is then distributed to a fourth layer and the load is transferred in the normal direction to a third density of subchondral bone. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100268275 | Soft Tissue Repair Assembly and Associated Method - A soft tissue repair assembly. The assembly includes a flexible member having first and second ends, and a strand passing through the flexible member. The strand has first and second strand ends extending through the flexible member, such that pulling at least one of the first and second strand ends changes the flexible member from a first shape suitable for insertion through soft tissue to a second shape suitable for securely lodging the soft tissue repair assembly relative to soft tissue. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100268233 | Apparatus for Forming a Tunnel in a Bone - An apparatus and method for forming a tunnel in a bone. The apparatus is used to form a first tunnel in the bone, the tunnel having a longitudinal axis, inserting a first drill guide into the first tunnel, supporting a first tunnel-forming device along an axis defining a first offset relative the longitudinal axis of the first tunnel with the first drill guide, and forming a second tunnel alongside the first tunnel with the first tunnel-forming device, the second tunnel communicating with the first tunnel and defining a single elongated opening. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100222830 | Apparatus and Method for Manipulating a Flexible Strand and Soft Tissue Replacement During Surgery - An apparatus and method is disclosed for performing a surgery, such as an orthopedic surgery. The apparatus can include a guide portion and an alignment portion. The guide portion can assist in positioning the alignment portion to assist in aligning an implant. The implant can be aligned and positioned to hold a graft relative to a bone portion. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100222812 | Method and Apparatus for Suture Anchors With a Vertical Eyelet - A suture anchor for anchoring a suture in the selected portion of an anatomical portion for fixing a suture thereto. The suture anchor including an anatomical engaging portion and a suture engaging portion wherein both the anatomical engaging portion and a suture engaging portion are adopted to be substantially disposed below an exterior of the anatomical portion after implantation. Suture eyelets are provided in the suture engaging section and a suture passage is formed to interconnect the eyelets to allow a suture to be easily threaded in the suture engaging section from the first eyelet to the second eyelet. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100222791 | Method and Apparatus for Passing a Suture Through Tissue - An apparatus and method for passing a suture through tissue includes a first jaw member having a retaining structure to support a portion of the suture proximate a first surface of the tissue. A second jaw member is associated with the first jaw member. The second jaw member is selectively configurable in a first configuration to perform a first stitch or in a second configuration to perform a second stitch. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100211075 | Fracture Fixation Device - Assemblies for securing a fractured or weakened bone within a subject's body are provided. The assembly includes a frame having an adjustable flexible member construct thereon. The adjustable flexible member construct is disposed in the frame such that the adjustable flexible member and the frame encircle the fractured or weakened bone. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100042114 | Apparatus for Performing Meniscus Repair - An apparatus and method of repairing a tear in body tissue includes inserting a needle containing a retaining head from a first insertion position on a first outer surface of the body tissue, through the tear and to a second outer surface of the body tissue. The retaining head is ejected from the insertion needle and grasps the second outer surface in an engaged position. An anchor coupled to the retaining head by a flexible member is advanced from a second insertion position on the first outer surface of the body tissue to a position at least through a portion of the tear. The flexible member extends a distance along the first outer surface of the body tissue from the first insertion position to the second insertion position. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20090312776 | Method and Apparatus for Coupling Soft Tissue to a Bone - A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. Portions of the suture lay parallel to each other within the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090306711 | Method for Tissue Fixation - A method for securing a strand to a fixation member for arthroscopic fixation, wherein the fixation member includes a channel on an exterior surface and an aperture therethrough. The method includes passing a strand having first and second ends through a flexible sleeve, passing the sleeve through the aperture of the fixation member in a first direction, tensioning the strand, and pulling the sleeve in a second direction different than the first direction to secure the sleeve to the fixation member without tying the strand on the fixation member. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090306684 | Method and Apparatus for Passing a Suture - A suture pushing device includes a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and a suturing head at the distal end of the shaft. The suturing head includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw and/or the second jaw have a tissue cutting edge adapted to cut an opening in a tissue. A blunt suture pushing member advances from within the shaft, through the suturing head, and through the cut opening in the tissue to place a suture. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090299386 | Soft Tissue Rivet and Method of Use - A method and apparatus for reattaching soft tissue to a selected boney structure using a rivet. Generally, a rivet having first portion and a second portion is provided to fully secure a soft tissue in the boney structure. The first portion of the rivet retains the soft tissue via a suture which is threaded through the first portion. The second portion of the rivet has at least one expanding member which engages the boney structure upon contact with the first portion of the rivet. Thus, the soft tissue is fully secured to the boney structure, ensuring proper healing. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090281555 | Method For Repairing A Meniscal Tear - A device for implanting a suture. The device includes an elongated shaft that extends from the main body and has a distal end that includes a pointed tissue piercing tip. A first suture support is mounted to the distal end. The first suture support has a first opening and is movable between a retracted position where the first suture support does not extend from the distal end and an extended position where the first suture support does extend from the distal end. A first suture capturing device is mounted to the distal end and is aligned with the first suture support. The first suture capturing device is movable between a retracted position in which it does not extend from the distal end and an extended position in which it does extend from the distal end. The first suture capturing device extends within the first opening of the first suture support when in the extended position. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090204146 | Method for Soft Tissue Attachment - An apparatus and method for fixing a selected graft relative to a selected anatomical portion. An anchor may be provided that may be interconnected with a selected graft portion that is operable to pass through a selected bore and then moved into an operable position to engage a selected portion of the bore to substantially eliminate the possibility of the graft moving in an unselected direction through the bore. In addition, a spacer member may be used to expand a selected portion of the graft to reduce localized stress and may increase ingrowth into a selected bony portion. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090192468 | SOFT TISSUE CONDUIT DEVICE AND METHOD - A method of conducting biological materials in soft tissue includes inserting an elongated conduit device into the soft tissue and through a defect in the soft tissue, and conducting biological materials along at least one longitudinal channel defined on an outer surface of the conduit device into the soft tissue. The conduit device is externally threaded. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090082805 | ADJUSTABLE KNOTLESS LOOPS - Methods of attaching a soft tissue to an adjacent bone at a defect site are provided. At least one adjustable loop of a flexible construct is passed through the soft tissue. The at least one adjustable loop is passed through a passage construct. A locking member is passed through the at least one adjustable loop and the adjustable loop is reduced about or within the locking member such that the at least one loop is frictionally retained in the passage construct and locked in place by the locking member to thereby secure the soft tissue. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090062854 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COUPLING SOFT TISSUE TO BONE - A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. A bone engaging fastener is coupled to bone. A second fastener is coupled to a suture construction. The second fastener is coupled to the first fastener. Soft tissue is coupled to the suture construction. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090054928 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COUPLING ANATOMICAL FEATURES - A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. Portions of the suture lay parallel to each other within the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20080312689 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COUPLING SOF TISSUE TO A BONE - A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops, A collapsible tube is positioned about the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel and the collapse of the tube to form an anchor. | 12-18-2008 |
