A method of effecting a tendon repair in a patient comprising providing a suture tape, using the suture tape to connect tendon tissue to bone of the patient such that the suture tape lays flat on the tendon, and permitting ingrowth of the tendon tissue into the suture tape as the absorbable fibers are absorbed into the patient's tissue. The suture tape is a flat braid of elastic, absorbable fibers and high strength fibers, the tape being at least 1 mm wide and 2 cm long, and less than 1 mm high. The suture tape includes at least 4 absorbable fibers and at least 4 high strength fibers. Further, the suture tape is capable of being stretched at least 10% from its shortest length to the length at which it breaks and is capable of withstanding a load of at least 260 Newtons before breaking.

A bearing component 2 for a joint replacement prosthesis comprises a first bearing element 4; a second bearing element 6, and a linking element 8, operatively connecting the first and second bearing elements 4, 6 and permitting relative motion there between. The flexible linking element 8 prevents dislocation of mobile bearings in a total knee replacement prosthesis. The invention also relates to a bridging element which retains the linking element 8 with some play, which acts as a ligament support 2051, and which causes a deflection of the line of action of a ligament 1018. A joint replacement prosthesis is also disclosed comprising a biasing element 1140 or a tensioning element 1220 operatively coupled to the artificial ligament 1018. The biasing element 1140 or tensioning element 1220 may be housed in the stem of a tibia tray 1006.

A fixation device for graft placement and ligament suspension. The fixation device includes a strand of suture having a first limb and a second limb with a midpoint therebetween. The suture includes a first splice in the first limb and a second splice in the second limb. A first free end of the first limb extends through the second splice, forming a first loop with a diameter. A second free end of the second limb extends through the first splice, forming a second loop with a diameter. Tensioning the first free end reduces the diameter of the first loop and tensioning the second free end reduces the diameter of the second loop. The fixation device may include a button having the first and second limbs of suture woven therethrough such that the first and second free ends extend proximally from the button and the loops extend distally from the button.

A looped suture construct is formed by looping a suture on itself and slidably connecting the suture through an anchoring structure such that a looped end and a free end of the suture are on opposite sides of the slidable connection. The anchoring structure may be bone, a suture anchor, or another structure securely attached to bone. The looped end and the free end are passed through the soft tissue to be repaired. The free end is then passed through the looped end. Tension is applied to the free end to draw the soft tissue into contact with the desired bone, whereupon the free end is secured to maintain the tension. The looped suture end remains open and positioned on one side or surface of the soft tissue. Suture anchors of the invention are pre-loaded with at least one suture having a looped end and at least one free end.

System and techniques for connective tissue augmentation and fixation device are described herein. The connective tissue augmentation and fixation device can include a central body, a first side tail, and a second side tail. The central body can be configured to at least partially surround a graft. The central body can extend longitudinally between a first end and a second end. The first side tail can extend from the first end of the central body. The first side tail can be configured to attach to a first bone of a patient. The second side tail can extend from the second end of the central body. The second side tail can be configured to attach to a second bone of the patient.

A tendon reinforcement assembly includes a rivet having a female portion having a female free end, a female connecting end, and a female portion axial passage extending therethrough. A male portion has a male free end, a male connecting end adapted to be inserted into the female free end, and a male portion axial passage extending therethrough. The male portion axial passage extends coaxially with the female portion axial passage. A suture extends through the male portion axial passage and the female portion axial passage. The suture has a first suture end extending outwardly of the male free end and a second suture end extending outwardly of the female free end.

Systems and methods for fixating a graft in a bone tunnel are provided. In general, the system includes a tissue fixation device having a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration, at least one graft retention loop coupled to the tissue fixation device, and a drill pin having a sidewall surrounding a cavity at a proximal end of the pin and at least one longitudinally oriented opening in the sidewall in communication with the cavity, the cavity being configured to fully seat the tissue fixation device. The drill pin is configured to substantially contain therein the tissue fixation device when in the delivery configuration and to enable deployment of the tissue fixation device through the opening. Drill pins configured to contain a tissue fixation device are also provided.

A fixation device for graft placement and ligament suspension. The fixation device includes a strand of suture having a first limb and a second limb with a midpoint therebetween. The suture includes a first splice in the first limb and a second splice in the second limb. A first free end of the first limb extends through the second splice, forming a first loop with a diameter. A second free end of the second limb extends through the first splice, forming a second loop with a diameter. Tensioning the first free end reduces the diameter of the first loop and tensioning the second free end reduces the diameter of the second loop. The fixation device may include a button having the first and second limbs of suture woven therethrough such that the first and second free ends extend proximally from the button and the loops extend distally from the button.

Systems and methods for fixating a graft in a bone tunnel are provided. In general, the system includes a tissue fixation device having a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration, at least one graft retention loop coupled to the tissue fixation device, and a drill pin having a sidewall surrounding a cavity at a proximal end of the pin and at least one longitudinally oriented opening in the sidewall in communication with the cavity, the cavity being configured to fully seat the tissue fixation device. The drill pin is configured to substantially contain therein the tissue fixation device when in the delivery configuration and to enable deployment of the tissue fixation device through the opening. Drill pins configured to contain a tissue fixation device are also provided.

A suture-free coagulation-assisted fixed cardiac patch and fabrication method thereof are provided. The cardiac patch includes a polymeric procoagulant base and a barbed microneedle fixed on the polymeric procoagulant base, and a side surface of the polymeric procoagulant base with the microneedle has a microporous structure which does not penetrate the solid base of the polymer; an included angle ? between the microneedle and the plane where the polymeric procoagulant base located is 60-90?, and the microneedles are evenly distributed on the polymeric procoagulant base at a density of 5-50 threads/cm2; the barbs are located on the curved surface of the microneedle and are inclined toward the polymeric procoagulant base. The fabrication method includes using a mold pore-forming, a porogen pore-forming, or a thermally induced phase separation pore-forming, and combining the barbed microneedle while forming the microporous structure to obtain a suture-free coagulation-assisted fixed cardiac patch.