Methods, systems, and kits for implanting articles
First Claim
1. A method for implanting an article in solid tissue, said method comprising:
- percutaneously inserting a radially expandable sleeve so that a distal end thereof lies adjacent to a target site in solid tissue;
introducing an assembly of a cannula and dilator through the radially expandable sleeve, wherein the diameter of the sleeve is expanded;
removing the dilator from the cannula to leave an open lumen to the tissue target site; and
advancing the article through the cannula lumen and into the tissue target site.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, systems, and kits for subcutaneously implanting articles, such as drug inserts and reservoirs. The methods rely on percutaneously forming a tissue tract and radially dilating the tract to a diameter which permits introduction of the article. By fully expanding the lumenal diameter of the tissue tract prior to introduction of the article, damage to the article resulting from passage through a partially expanded tissue tract can be avoided. In the exemplary embodiment, a radially expandable sleeve is first percutaneously introduced to the subcutaneous target site. An assembly of a cannula and dilator is then passed through the sleeve, effecting radial expansion. The dilator is removed and the article is then introduced through a lumen of the cannula.
92 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for implanting an article in solid tissue, said method comprising:
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percutaneously inserting a radially expandable sleeve so that a distal end thereof lies adjacent to a target site in solid tissue;
introducing an assembly of a cannula and dilator through the radially expandable sleeve, wherein the diameter of the sleeve is expanded;
removing the dilator from the cannula to leave an open lumen to the tissue target site; and
advancing the article through the cannula lumen and into the tissue target site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 16, 17, 18)
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8. An improved method for implanting an article into solid tissue, said method being of the type wherein a tissue tract is formed and dilated to permit advancement of the article, wherein the improvement comprises:
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radially expanding the tissue tract to form a lumen having a substantially constant diameter; and
advancing the article through the lumen after the lumen has been substantially completely expanded. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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19. A system for implanting a drug delivery article in a patient, said system comprising:
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a radially expandable sleeve, said sleeve being expandable from a narrow diameter configuration to a large diameter configuration and providing a non-collapsible lumen; and
a drug delivery article having peripheral dimensions which permit it to be delivered through the non-collapsible lumen, wherein the lumen can remain fully open to its large diameter configuration in the absence of the article therein. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification