Method For Constructing An Instrument With A Two-Part Plunger For Subcutaneous Implantation

• US 20100331868A1
• Filed: 07/14/2010
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Science Operating Company (Cardica Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gust H. Bardy
• Inventors: Bardy, Gust H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,251,946 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/167
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/063 Devices specially adapted for delivering implantable medical measuring apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0069 Devices for implanting pellets, e.g. markers or solid medicaments for introducing of radioactive sources for interstitial radiation therapy, i.e. brachytherapy A61N5/1027
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A method for constructing an instrument with a two-part plunger for subcutaneous implantation is provided. An incising body is formed by defining a non-circular coaxial bore and sharpening a distal bottom edge. A two-part plunger including a tongue blade assembly and a plunger assembly is constructed. The tongue blade assembly is constructed by sharpening a beveled end of a flat thin tongue blade and by affixing a straight tongue blade shaft to an end of the tongue blade opposite the beveled end. The tongue blade assembly has a length exceeding the coaxial bore. The plunger assembly is constructed by affixing a plunger to a plunger shaft on a distal end. The plunger assembly has a length exceeding the coaxial bore and is oriented adjacent to the tongue blade assembly. The two-part plunger is inserted through an end of the incising body.

Claims

1. A method for constructing an instrument with a two-part plunger for subcutaneous implantation, comprising:

forming an incising body by defining a non-circular coaxial bore and sharpening a distal bottom edge;

constructing a two-part plunger, comprising;

constructing a tongue blade assembly by sharpening a beveled end of a flat thin tongue blade and by affixing a straight tongue blade shaft to an end of the tongue blade opposite the beveled end, the tongue blade having a length exceeding the coaxial bore;

constructing a plunger assembly by affixing a plunger to a plunger shaft on a distal end, the plunger assembly having a length exceeding the coaxial bore; and

orienting the plunger assembly adjacent to the tongue blade assembly; and

inserting the two-part plunger in the incising body.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

forming corresponding guide tracks on at least two of the incising body, tongue blade assembly, and plunger assembly.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

affixing support shelves on an inner surface of the incising body.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

affixing a cover on a distal top surface of the incising body, wherein the cover completely a distal end of the coaxial bore.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

forming notches on an outer surface of the incising body.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

further sharpening a periphery of the tongue blade.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

affixing handles on a proximal end of one or more of the tongue blade shaft and the plunger shaft.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

inserting an implant within the bore of the incising body.

9. A method for constructing an instrument with a two-part plunger for subcutaneous implantation, comprising:

forming an incising body, comprising;

forming an incising shaft defining a cavity located along a longitudinal axis and comprising a cutting edge formed on a distal end; and

forming a syringe body defining a bore extending along the longitudinal axis and having a circumference smaller than the cavity, the syringe body affixed on a proximal end of the incising shaft with the bore aligned with a portion of the cavity;

assembling a two part plunger, comprising;

constructing a tongue blade assembly by sharpening a beveled end of a tongue blade sized to fit within the cavity and by affixing the tongue blade to a straight tongue blade shaft sized to fit within the bore;

constructing a plunger assembly by affixing a plunger sized to fit within the cavity to a distal end of a plunger shaft sized to fit within the bore; and

orienting the plunger assembly above the tongue blade assembly; and

inserting the two-part plunger through an end of the incising body.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

forming corresponding guide tracks on at least of two of the incising body, tongue blade assembly, and plunger assembly.

11. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

affixing support shelves on an inner surface of the incising body.

12. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

affixing a cover on a distal top surface of the incising shaft, wherein the cover completely a distal end of the coaxial bore.

13. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

forming notches on an outer surface of the incising body.

14. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

further sharpening a periphery of the tongue blade.

15. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

affixing handles on a proximal end of one or more of the tongue blade shaft and the plunger shaft.

16. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

inserting an implant within the bore of the incising body.

17. A method for implantation via an instrument with a two-part plunger, comprising:

generating an incision in a recipient by inserting a sharpened cutting edge formed on a distal end of an incising body that defines a non-circular coaxial bore in which an implant is housed and a bore opening, the incising body further housing a two-part plunger comprising a tongue blade assembly and a plunger assembly and contained within the coaxial bore;

forming a tunnel as an extension of the incision by pushing the tongue blade assembly partially through the coaxial bore and the bore opening of the incising body, the tongue blade assembly having a length exceeding the coaxial bore; and

urging the implant through the bore opening and into the tunnel via the plunger assembly, the plunger assembly having a length exceeding the coaxial bore.

18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

retracting at least one of the tongue blade assembly and the plunger assembly.

19. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

aligning handles affixed on the tongue blade assembly with arms affixed on the plunger assembly in a retracted position.

20. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

rotating a cover affixed to an end of the incising body when at least one of the tongue blade assembly and the plunger assembly are pushed at least one of in and out of the incising body.

21. An implantation device assembly, comprising:

an incising body defining a non-circular coaxial bore and comprising a cutting edge formed on a distal end; and

a two-part plunger non-fixedly contained within the coaxial bore and sliding longitudinally therein, comprising;

a tongue blade assembly provided on a bottom surface of the coaxial bore and comprising a tongue blade shaft and a flat thin tongue blade comprising a sharpened clearing edge on a distal end, the tongue blade assembly having a length exceeding the coaxial bore; and

a plunger assembly having a length exceeding the coaxial bore and comprising a plunger shaft and a plunger affixed on a distal end, the plunger slidably positioned on a top surface of the tongue blade; and

an implant positioned within the bore on the top surface of the tongue blade.

22. An implantation device assembly according to claim 21, further comprising:

a cover pivotably affixed to a top surface of the incising body on a distal end, wherein the cover prevents access to the bore in a closed position and provides access to the bore in an open position.

23. An implantation device assembly according to claim 21, further comprising:

one or more corresponding guide tracks formed on at least two of the plunger shaft, tongue blade shaft, and incising body.