185

Surgical Tools

The Dura-Hook is a Neurosurgical Instrument. It is shaped like a corkscrew and

is corrosion resistant steel. It is 6

”

long with a knurled, reversible handle.

Between 1987 and 1991 the United States Government purchased 1839 of these

“

Dura-Hooks

”

at an average cost of $19.17 each. Between 1994 and 1996 only 67

were purchased at an average cost of $60.29. Two more were purchased in 2001

for $84.00 each. A California collector and I both purchased one at Internet

auction for under $15.00 in 2003.

Corkscrew (Cancellous Bone) Suture Anchors incorporate a

cancellous thread with a very small core diameter to

maximize pull-out strength in cancellous or osteopenic bone.

Each Corkscrew comes with two sutures, a white and a green

color-coded #2 braided suture to maximize soft tissue

fixation and allow suture identification.

Note: Al Haché, a doctor from New Brunswick contends

“

The Corkscrew

(cancellous bone) suture anchor is not a corkscrew at all. The tip is like an

ordinary screw and is made to anchor and not to extract like a corkscrew does.

We call them

„

Stay

–

Tak

‟

. The same goes for the parachute tissue. It is an

anchoring device.

”

The Corkscrew Parachute Tissue Anchor allows one step

arthroscopic fixation of soft tissue to bone without

arthroscopic knot tying. The titanium suture anchor, in 5.0

mm outside thread diameter and small 2 mm core diameter,

is inserted through soft tissue and directly into decorticated

bone. The size #2 braided suture securely holds an 8 mm

diameter, 1.5 mm thick PLLA disc for firm apposition of soft

tissue to bone. Removable traction sutures maintain secure holding of the

Corkscrew Parachute to the inserter and can be used to confirm screw fixation

strength prior to removal. The Corkscrew Parachute is a revolutionary solution

to problems associated with arthroscopic knot tying procedures.