Arthroscopic surgical device

Abstract

An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method including forming a first generally straight channel in a bone, forming a second generally straight channel in the bone, the second generally straight channel not intersecting the first generally straight channel, inserting a curved needle into the first generally straight channel, inserting a suture through the second generally straight channel in the bone to a suture pick-up location, manipulating the curved needle to form a curved junction between the first generally straight channel and the second generally straight channel; and pulling the suture by the curved needle from the suture pick-up location through the junction and though the first generally straight channel.

1 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method comprising:
 forming a first generally straight channel in a bone;   inserting a curved needle into said first generally straight channel;   forming a second generally straight channel in said bone, said second generally straight channel not intersecting said first generally straight channel;   inserting a suture through said second generally straight channel in said bone to a suture pick-up location;   manipulating said curved needle to form a curved junction between said first generally straight channel and said second generally straight channel; and   pulling said suture by said curved needle from said suture pick-up location through said junction and though said first generally straight channel.   
     
     
         2 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method according to  claim 1  and wherein said inserting said suture comprises locating a folded over end of said suture at said suture pick-up location. 
     
     
         3 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method according to  claim 1  and wherein free ends of said suture extend outside of said second channel. 
     
     
         4 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method according to  claim 1  and wherein said second generally straight channel is substantially longer than said first generally straight channel. 
     
     
         5 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method according to  claim 1  and wherein said curved needle has a radius of curvature which is generally equal to or greater than a length of said first generally straight channel. 
     
     
         6 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method according to  claim 1  and wherein the geometry of said curved needle and the geometry of said first generally straight channel are such that said curved needle can pass through said first generally straight channel without changing the configuration of said first generally straight channel to add curvature thereto. 
     
     
         7 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method according to  claim 6  and wherein said geometry of said curved needle includes its width and its inner and outer radii of curvature and wherein said geometry of said first generally straight channel includes its width and its length. 
     
     
         8 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method comprising:
 forming a first channel in a bone;   inserting a curved needle into said first channel;   forming a second channel in said bone by using a straight drill extending through a straight working channel;   removing said drill from said working channel;   inserting a suture through said working channel extending through said second channel in said bone to a suture pick-up location; and   pulling said suture by said curved needle from said suture pick-up location though said first channel.   
     
     
         11 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method according to  claim 10  and also comprising forming a single incision in a patient's body for insertion and removal of said curved needle and said drill. 
     
     
         12 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method according to  claim 11  and wherein:
 said inserting a suture comprises locating a folded over portion of said suture at said suture pick-up location; and 
 free ends of said suture remain outside of said incision. 
 
     
     
         13 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method according to  claim 10  and wherein said second channel is substantially longer than said first channel. 
     
     
         14 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method according to  claim 10  and wherein said curved needle has a radius of curvature which is generally equal to or greater than a length of said first channel. 
     
     
         15 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method according to  claim 10  and wherein the geometry of said curved needle and the geometry of said first channel are such that said curved needle can pass through said first channel without changing the configuration of said first channel to add curvature thereto. 
     
     
         16 . An arthroscopic bone channel forming and suturing method according to  claim 15  and wherein said geometry of said curved needle includes its width and its inner and outer radii of curvature and wherein said geometry of said first channel includes its width and its length. 
     
     
         17 - 23 . (canceled)