Oratec Interventions, Inc.

Maruho Medical, Inc.

Tornier, Inc.

Other

Tomier, Inc.

Oratec Internationals, Inc.

Core Outpatient Services

Dorsal Orthopedic Corporation

Gary S Fanton

Hugh R Sharkey

John F Krumme

Luke W Clauson

Scott Hyler Heneveld

Matthew B Newell

Stuart D Edwards

Ronald G Lax

John E Ashley

J Remberto Carranza

Lee Weissman

Daren Stewart

Bryce Edmund Peterson

Ramiro L Reyes

Donald G Mortensen

Yasuyuki Hitomi

Andrew J Huntington

Brett A Snyder

Daren L Stewart

Douglas M Lorang

Remberto J Carranza

Mark Markel

A device can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for passing suture

A device is disclosed that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

A device that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. The device can have a first jaw having a first jaw channel and a first jaw first stop. The shuttle can have a shuttle longitudinal axis and a shuttle first stop. The shuttle first stop can have a shuttle first stop distal end. The shuttle first stop distal end can be deflectable into the first jaw first stop. When the shuttle first stop distal end is in contact with the first jaw first stop, the shuttle can be passively retained in the first jaw. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site.

Systems, apparatuses and methods for securing tissue to bone using a bone anchoring system are described. Methods and apparatuses may allow transformation between locked and unlocked states, thereby allowing adjustment of the tension in the suture. The apparatus and/or methods may allow unidirectional movement of a suture, while preventing slippage or movement of the suture and tissue in the opposite direction. Ends of a suture may be individually tensioned to adjust positioning of a tissue with respect to a bone.

Bone anchor installer and method of use

Systems, apparatuses and methods for securing tissue to bone using tack anchors, bone anchoring systems are described. The tack anchor may include a body and a securing element. The body may include one or more compressible flanges, an opening and, a cavity. The cavity may include an opening near or proximate the flanges, and be configured to receive a suture. The securing element may be configured to slide into the opening of the body to secure a portion of one or more sutures in the cavity such that the ends of the sutures are accessible through the cavity opening. In some embodiments, tack anchor tool for insertion of a tack anchor into tissue and/or bone is described.

Tack anchor systems, bone anchor systems, and methods of use

Ring cinch assembly to attach bone to tissue

An electrosurgical instrument is provided which includes a holding formation, a probe shaft, an electric conductor, and a probe tip. The probe shaft is secured to the holding formation and has an elongated section extending therefrom. The electric conductor extends along the elongated section. The probe tip is located on a distal end of the probe shaft opposing the holding formation. The probe tip defines a volatization chamber with a mouth out of the probe tip. The probe tip includes an electrode, to which RF current is provided through the electric conductor. The electrode heats an area adjacent to the probe tip. The electrode also heats a liquid in the first volatization chamber to evaporate the liquid into a vapor pocket that ejects from the first volatization chamber through the mouth out of the probe tip. A pump effect is created so that the liquid maintains the probe tip at a more stable temperature.

Electrosurgical instrument having a chamber to volatize a liquid

An apparatus for treating disrupted articular cartilage comprising an elongate probe member having proximal and distal extremities and a handle coupled to the proximal extremity of the elongate probe member. The distal extremity has a peripheral wall defining a cavity and a distal opening communicating with the cavity. A controllable environment is created within the cavity when the distal extremity is placed substantially flush against the disrupted articular cartilage. An electrode is positioned within the cavity at a distance spaced inwardly of the distal opening. The disrupted articular cartilage is sealed to form a substantially continuous surface when energy is supplied to the electrode. A method of using the apparatus is provided.

Method and apparatus for treatment of disrupted articular cartilage

A surgical instrument comprising a handle and an elongated probe connected to the handle. The elongated probe has a terminus distal to the handle. At least one electrode that includes an electrode surface is positioned on the terminus so that a line from a geometric center of the electrode surface and substantially perpendicular to the electrode surface intersects at an angle a longitudinal axis formed by the elongated probe. A conductor is provided for attaching the at least one electrode to the handle.

Surgical instrument with off-axis electrode

A thermal energy delivery apparatus has a probe including a distal end and a proximal end. A first electrode is positioned at the distal end of the probe. The first electrode is configured to deliver sufficient thermal energy to a fibrillated cartilage surface to reduce a level of fibrillation of the fibrillated cartilage surface. A cabling is coupled to the proximal end of the probe. A method for thermal protection of non-targeted tissues that may be exposed to thermal probes used during arthroscopic procedures includes a pre-procedural cooling Lavage. The pre-cooled tissues provide a convective buffer for tissues not intended for thermal intervention, thereby reducing collateral damage.

Method for treating tissue in arthroscopic environment using precooling and apparatus for same

An apparatus and method are provided for control contraction of tissue that includes collagen fibers. The apparatus includes a handpiece, and an electrode with an electrode proximal end associated with the handpiece. A distal end of the electrode has a geometry that delivers a controlled amount of energy to the tissue for a desired contraction of the collagen fibers. This is achieved while dissociation and breakdown of the collagen fibers is minimized. The handpiece, with electrode, is adapted to be introduced through an operating cannula in percutaneous applications. Additionally, an operating cannula may be included in the apparatus and be attached to the handpiece. The apparatus and method provides for a desired level of contraction of collagen soft tissue without dissociation or breakdown of collagen fibers.

Method and apparatus for controlled contraction of soft tissue

An electrosurgical probe is provided to vaporize, cut, coagulate or remove tissue from a body structure. A method of surgically treating a mammal includes providing a surgical instrument including a length of shaft and an active electrode having a curved current density edge with at least one convex surface; and ablating a tissue surface with said surgical instrument.

Electrode for electrosurgical ablation of tissue

An arthroscopic probe with a distally orientated concave curve which constrains tissue is disclosed. It is particularly adapted to cutting ligaments and tendons. Also disclosed is a thermal energy delivery apparatus that includes (a) a probe with a distal end and a proximal end, (b) a first electrode positioned at the distal end of the probe and (c) a cabling coupled to the proximal end of the probe.

Growing community of inventors

Portola Valley, CA, United States of America

Gary S Fanton