A graft or prosthetic element suitable, e.g., for replacing a tendon or ligament is fastened in a bone tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a fastener. In a first step, the graft or prosthetic element is press-fitted in the tunnel or opening by forcing the fastener into the opening or by positioning the fastener in the opening and then expanding it, wherein the fastener is in contact with the graft or prosthetic element and with the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening. In a second step, the fastener is anchored in the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a liquefiable material which is liquefied in the vicinity of the bone wall where it is in contact with the fastener and by making the liquefied material penetrate into the bone wall.

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.

Described herein is a simplified placement system and method for a tissue graft anchor by which a surgeon may introduce one or more sutures into a hole in a boney tissue, apply a precise amount of tension to the sutures to advance a soft tissue graft to a desired location, and then advance the anchor into the bone, preferably while maintaining the requisite pre-determined suture tension and without introducing spin to the suture. Particularly preferred embodiments allow for the one-handed operation. To that end, embodiments in which relative axial movement between the inner tensioning device and outer driver device is optionally physically constrained, for example by means of cooperating and/or compressive elements disposed in the respective hub and handle portions, are described herein.

Disclosed is a surgical device for soft tissue repair, including: a flexible anchor consisting of a textile braid forming a first arm and a second arm extending distally away from a vertex area; and at least one suture thread having a median portion placed near the vertex area and two strands passing through the braid transversely at several sites. The first strand passes through the braid alternately at two sites adjacent to the first arm and at two sites adjacent to the second arm, the sites passed through in sequence on the same arm moving away from the vertex zone. The second strand passes through the braid at least at two sites of the second arm, the sites passed through in sequence moving away from the vertex zone. The device is inserted into a hole made in a bone and assumes a compressed configuration after insertion.

Devices, systems and/or methods for repairing soft tissue adjacent a soft tissue repair site. In one embodiment, a repair device includes an anchor member, a capture member and one or more flexible members. The anchor member includes a base with at least four legs extending integrally from the base, the at least four legs configured to be moveable from a straight first position to a formed second position. The capture member is configured to be coupled to the anchor member such that the at least four legs of the anchor member move around structural portions of the capture member with the at least four legs of the anchor member in the formed second position. The one or more flexible members are coupled to the base of the anchor member, the one or more flexible members extending at least partially along the base of the anchor member.

This disclosure includes fasteners for coupling an implant to tissue (e.g., soft-tissue and/or bone), fabric-like implants, and assemblies with fasteners pre-loaded with implants. The present implants generally comprise at least one flexible, fibrous layer that is substantially planar in a flattened state. In some embodiments of the present assemblies for delivery of a fastener, the assembly comprises fastener cartridge, a fibrous implant wrapped around a portion of the cartridge, a fastener extending through the implant, and an elongated shield disposed around the implant and the cartridge such that the implant is retained between the cartridge and the shield. Kits comprise a plurality of fasteners pre-loaded with implants. Some of the present kits also include one or more of the present fastener-delivery apparatuses or tools; for example, a plurality of pre-loaded fasteners with a single, reloadable tool; a plurality of tools each pre-loaded with a fastener that is pre-loaded with an implant; and/or a plurality of cartridges each pre-loaded with a fastener that is pre-loaded with an implant, and a common tool for use with the cartridges.

Multi-filament microcables are used in place of the traditional monofilament wires as the constituent elements of a woven or braided band. This enhances the function and manufacturability of such bands for various applications, such as orthopaedic applications including sternotomy closures.

Methods of bioprinting a bio-ink construct on an internal tissue defect or a chondral defect during a minimally invasive surgery on an individual in need thereof are provided, comprising: visualizing the defect; positioning a bioprinter comprising a printhead within proximity of or in contact with the defect; and ejecting a bio-ink from the printhead onto the defect to form a bio-ink layer, thereby generating a bio-ink construct. Further provided are systems for bioprinting a bio-ink construct on an internal tissue defect during a minimally invasive surgery on an individual in need thereof, comprising a control system, an endoscope, and a bioprinter comprising a printhead.

Surgical constructs and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair constructs include a fixation device, a flexible strand, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device to allow desired tensioning of soft tissue to be fixated or repaired relative to the bone.