Injection devices and methods for testing implants
First Claim
1. A method for positioning an implant in a body at a target location at which the implant will function effectively comprising:
- a) inserting a distal tip of a cannula having the implant retained within a cannula lumen into the body until the implant reaches a testing position;
b) testing the implant while within the cannula lumen at the testing position to determine whether the implant is functioning effectively;
c) discharging the implant from the lumen of the cannula at the testing location if the testing reveals that the implant is functioning effectively at the test location.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to devices and methods for positioning an implant at a target location in the body. The methods include testing an implant while within an injection device at a target location to determine whether the implant is functioning effectively. The methods also include testing from or delivery of materials to the target location during implantation, and loading the injection device for use. The device may be configured to permit the longitudinal and/or axial position of the implant to be maintained relative to an injection device during implantation. The device may also be configured to permit testing of the implant. The invention also may include implants configured for use in the injection devices.
59 Citations
75 Claims
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1. A method for positioning an implant in a body at a target location at which the implant will function effectively comprising:
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a) inserting a distal tip of a cannula having the implant retained within a cannula lumen into the body until the implant reaches a testing position;
b) testing the implant while within the cannula lumen at the testing position to determine whether the implant is functioning effectively;
c) discharging the implant from the lumen of the cannula at the testing location if the testing reveals that the implant is functioning effectively at the test location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for positioning an implant in a body at a target location at which the implant will function effectively, comprising:
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a) inserting a distal tip of a cannula having the implant retained within a cannula lumen into the body until the tip reaches a testing position;
b) withdrawing material from the testing position through a lumen extending from a cannula distal end proximate to the testing position to a cannula proximal end;
c) testing the material withdrawn from the testing position;
d) discharging the implant from the cannula lumen at the testing position if the testing shows that the implant will operate effectively at the test location. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for injecting material at the site of an implant in a body, comprising:
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a) inserting a distal tip of a cannula having an implant retained within a cannula lumen to a site within the body;
b) delivering material to the area of the site through a lumen extending from a cannula proximal end to a cannula distal end; and
c) discharging the implant from the cannula lumen at the site. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for injecting material at the site of an implant in a body, comprising:
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a) inserting a distal tip of a cannula having an implant retained within a cannula lumen to a site within the body;
b) discharging the implant from the cannula lumen at the site;
c) delivering material to the area of the site through a lumen extending from a cannula proximal end to a cannula distal end. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of loading an implant having an end into an injection device used to inject the loaded implant into a body, the injection device including a cannula with a cannula lumen and a probe sized to fit within the lumen having a distal end, the method comprising:
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a) inserting the probe distal end within the cannula lumen;
b) abutting the implant end of the implant against the probe distal end;
and c) moving the cannula relative to the probe until the cannula substantially covers the implant without allowing the implant end to separate from the probe distal end. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. An injection device for positioning an implant in a body at a target location at which the implant will function effectively comprising:
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a) a cannula having a cannula lumen;
b) an implant positioned within the cannula lumen;
c) a surface at the end of the implant configured to releasably engage a surface within the cannula lumen. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. An injection device for positioning an implant in a body at a target location at which the implant will function effectively comprising:
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a) a cannula having a cannula lumen;
b) a probe positioned substantially within the cannula lumen and having a probe distal end;
c) an implant positioned within the cannula lumen;
d) a surface at the end of the implant abutting a surface at the distal end of the probe, the implant end surface and the probe end surface being configured to prevent the implant from rotating with respect to the probe while the implant end surface and probe end surface abut. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. An injection device for injecting an implant in a body at a target location at which the implant will function effectively comprising:
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a) a cannula having a cannula wall forming a cannula lumen, and a cannula distal end formed into a trochar;
b) an implant releasably engaged within the cannula. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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- 66. An implant configured to be injected by an injection device into body tissue or a body cavity and configured with at least one surface that releasably interlocks with a surface in the injection device.
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73. An injection device comprising:
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a) a cannula having a cannula wall forming a cannula lumen, wherein the cannula lumen includes a detent, and wherein the cannula wall includes at least one channel therein;
b) a probe configured to move slidably within the cannula lumen, and wherein the probe includes a tab at the probe distal end;
c) an implant including a retaining member, wherein the retaining member includes a notch configured to move slidably along the detent when the implant is rotated axially with respect to the cannula lumen; and
d) the implant further including a surface configured to be releasable connected to the probe tab such that rotational, but not longitudinal movement between the probe and implant is prevented while the implant surface and tab are connected. - View Dependent Claims (74, 75)
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Specification