Arthrotek, Inc.

Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC

Biomet, Inc.

James A Boucher

Stephen M Howell

James Marcinek

Troy M Walters

Thomas F Winters

Cory R Schaffhausen

Kevin J Kessler

Wesley Nottage

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.

Apparatus and method for tibial fixation of soft tissue

An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure.

An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.

A fixation device for engaging the soft tissue in a body. The fixation device includes a body portion and a plurality of teeth. The body portion has a proximal face, a distal face, a central aperture and a suture slot. The central aperture is formed through the proximal and distal faces and is configured to receive a screw. The suture slot intersects the central aperture and is configured to receive a suture. The plurality of teeth coupled to the proximal face of the body portion and are configured to engage the soft tissue. A soft tissue securing device and a method for securing soft tissue to a bone are also provided.

Soft tissue screw and fixation device

A rotator cuff buttress plate adapted to support a load from at least one suture used in securing a rotator cuff relative to a humerus. The rotator cuff buttress plate includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a sidewall and a plurality of apertures. The inner surface is adapted to engage an outer portion of a humerus. The outer surface is opposite the inner surface and is adapted to support the load from at least one suture. The sidewall is positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface. The suture is passed through the at least one aperture to distribute the suture load over the buttress plate.

Method and apparatus for rotator cuff repair

An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel and partially within an entrance opening of the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.

A distracting cannula is provided which includes a first penetrating member having a first end and a second end. The first penetrating member has an internal surface providing a through bore operative to receive an elongated surgical instrument. The first penetrating member has an external gripping surface disposed between the first and second ends that is provided by a helical thread. A generally conical shroud has an open end for contacting the patient's skin. An opposite end of the shroud is attached to the first penetrating member near the second end. The first penetrating member first end is inserted into a portal incision of the patient's body until the shroud open end contacts the patient's skin. Torquing the tissue distracting cannula further caused the tissue gripping surface of the first penetrating member to pull the surrounding tissue upward into a cavity created by the shroud.

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Warsaw, IN, United States of America

James A Boucher