An adjustable, knotless button/loop/needle construct for fixation of cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle. The adjustable, knotless construct includes two fixation devices (for example, two buttons) and at least one flexible, adjustable loop attached to at least one of the fixation devices (e.g., the buttons). Preferably, a needle is attached to each of the fixation devices (e.g., the buttons). The adjustable, knotless construct has an adjustable loop length and allows adjustment in one direction while preventing or locking the construct from loosening in the opposite direction, due to applied tensile forces. The construct and technique of the present invention provides an improved knotless system for cruciate ligament repair.

Apparatus and methods for preparing a disc space and inserting an intervertebral disc implant therein are disclosed. Among the various instruments disclosed are a midline marker, a reference pin drill and insertion guide, a pin drill guide, a chisel guide, a sizer, a serrated broach, an implant dispenser, and an implant insertion tool. Methods of utilizing these tools are also disclosed.

A vaginal insert which can be provided in an applicator for the treatment of urinary incontinence in females. The vaginal insert can provide tension-free incontinence treating support perpendicularly to the urethra (i.e., across the urethra).

A method of inserting an intervertebral disc implant into a disc space includes accessing a spinal segment having a first vertebral body, a second vertebral body and a disc space between the first and second vertebral bodies. The method includes securing a first pin to the first vertebral body and a second pin to the second vertebral body, using the first and second pins for distracting the disc space, and providing an inserter holding the intervertebral disc implant. The method also desirably includes engaging the inserter with the first and second pins, and advancing the inserter toward the disc space for inserting the intervertebral disc implant into the disc space, whereby the first and second pins align and guide the inserter toward the disc space.

An implant for insertion into a punctum of a patient comprises a body. The body has a distal end, a proximal end, and an axis therebetween. The distal end of the body is insertable distally through the punctum into the canalicular lumen. The body comprises a therapeutic agent included within an agent matrix drug core. Exposure of the agent matrix to the tear fluid effects an effective therapeutic agent release into the tear fluid over a sustained period. The body has a sheath disposed over the agent matrix to inhibit release of the agent away from the proximal end. The body also has an outer surface configured to engage luminal wall tissues so as to inhibit expulsion when disposed therein. In specific embodiments, the agent matrix comprises a non-bioabsorbable polymer, for example silicone in a non-homogenous mixture with the agent.

An implant for insertion through a punctum and into a canalicular lumen of a patient. The implant includes a matrix of material, a therapeutic agent dispersed in the matrix of material, a sheath disposed over a portion of the matrix of material and configured to inhibit the therapeutic agent from being released from the matrix of material into the canalicular lumen and to allow the therapeutic agent to be released from a surface of the matrix of material to a tear film, and a retention structure configured to retain the implant within the canalicular lumen.

The invention relates to a device (1) and method for selecting the size and shape of a prosthesis and/or for determining the location of marks to be made on the external face of the skin of a patient intended to receive such a prosthesis, for example for repairing a hernia, comprising a sheet (2) of transparent material, the said sheet comprising: a plurality of graphical representations (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) concentrically embodying the respective outlines of various shapes and sizes of prosthesis, a plurality of first holes (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) arranged along the transverse line passing through the centre of the said sheet, and a plurality of second holes (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g) arranged along the longitudinal line passing through the centre (C) of the said sheet.

Improvements for use with tissue expanders are provided. A first aspect includes a tissue expander device provided with a colorant inside a shell before the shell is inflated with fluid, wherein the colorant mixes with fluid upon injection of fluid into the shell. A second aspect includes a tissue expander device provided with a tread on an exterior surface of the shell. A third aspect includes a system having: a computing device with a visual display screen; a detector connected to the computing device that is configured to detect a port of a tissue expander that is implanted under skin of a patient; and software running on the computing device that receives signals from the detector and causes the visual display screen to show a visual representation of a location of the detected port of the tissue expander.

There is disclosed a synthetic joint stabilisation device (10) and associated assembly, the device having a particular use in a method of stabilising a dislocated acromioclavicular joint. The joint stabilisation device (10) comprises a first elongate portion (22) forming a first free end (24); a second elongate portion (26) forming a second free end (28) which is opposite the first free end; and an integral eye (30) provided at a location which is between the first and second free ends, the eye serving for securing the device to a bone (19) of a patient. The device (10) is at least partly tubular so as to define an internal cavity (32), said part, of the device being of a woven material. One of the first and second elongate portions (22, 26) extends into the internal cavity (32) through a wall (34) of the other one of the first and second elongate portions at a first location (36) along a length of said other portion, and then extends out of the internal cavity at a second location (38) which is spaced along a length of said other portion from the first location, to thereby form a loop (40) which defines the eye.

The invention relates to a device (1) and method for selecting the size and shape of a prosthesis and/or for determining the location of marks to be made on the external face of the skin of a patient intended to receive such a prosthesis, for example for repairing a hernia, comprising a sheet (2) of transparent material, the said sheet comprising: a plurality of graphical representations (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) concentrically embodying the respective outlines of various shapes and sizes of prosthesis, a plurality of first holes (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) arranged along the transverse line passing through the center of the said sheet, anda plurality of second holes (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g) arranged along the longitudinal line passing through the center (C) of the said sheet.