Transponder insertion device and method

• US 6,186,144 B1
• Filed: 02/25/1999
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tracenet Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tracenet Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Cameron, Doyle L., Davis, Langdon, Buffum, R. Michael, Harms, Garyld
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacyk, John P.
• Application Number:
  US09/257,568
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 128/897-899, 119/174
• US Class Current: 128/897
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/11 with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

A system for simply and effectively introducing transponders into human or animal recipients is disclosed. A transponder, such as a microchip, is coated with a degradable coating and shaped so that is may be pushed through the recipient'"'"'s skin. An insertion tool is used as indicated by the type of recipient. The tool receives the transponder, protects the transponder while it is pushed into the skin, and releases the transponder when rotated.

Claims

1. An implantable transponder system adapted for implantation within a recipient, the implantable transponder system comprising:

a transponder;

a degradable capsule that substantially covers the transponder;

a first portion comprising a sharp tip whereby the skin of the recipient may be penetrated; and

a second portion comprising a surface adapted for being pushed.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the transponder is a microchip transponder.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the degradable capsule incorporates the sharp tip of the first portion, wherein the degradable capsule is sharp and rigid.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the transponder includes a transponder case incorporating the sharp tip of the first portion.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the degradable capsule includes the second portion.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the second portion is a flat surface.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the second portion is a concave surface.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the first and the second portions are substantially opposite each other, whereby the sharp tip is adapted for placement against the skin of the recipient and penetrate the skin as a result of force applied directly to the flat surface.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein the first and the second portions are substantially opposite each other, whereby the sharp tip is adapted for placement against the skin of the recipient and penetrate the skin as a result of force applied directly to the flat surface.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the degradable capsule comprises a starch based compound.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the degradable capsule comprises a water-soluble degradable material.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the degradable capsule comprises a sugar compound.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the system includes sterile packaging, the packaging adapted for use in sterilely grasping the encapsulated transponder.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the sterile packaging includes a wrapper with a sterile inner surface adapted to touch the encapsulated transponder.

15. An implantable transponder system adapted for implantation within a recipient, the implantable encapsulated transponder system comprising:

an encapsulated transponder comprising a microchip transponder substantially encased within a degradable capsule that substantially covers the transponder, wherein the encapsulated transponder has a first end that is sharp and a substantially flat second end opposed from the first end.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the degradable capsule has a rigid outer structure that prevents the process of pushing the transponder system through the skin from communicating forces to the transponder inside the capsule, whereby the capsule is protected from the forces generated by implantation.

17. A tool for implanting an implantable transponder within a recipient, the tool comprising:

a handle;

a delivery cylinder operably coupled to the handle;

a cylinder including a receptacle adapted to receive the transponder; and

a sliding sleeve shiftably received by the cylinder,

the sliding sleeve shiftable across the cylinder while the transponder is in the receptacle.

18. The tool of claim 17 wherein the cylinder comprises a sharp end whereby the cylinder is adapted to be pushed through the skin of the recipient.

19. The tool of claim 18 wherein the receptacle means comprises an opening.

20. The tool of claim 19 wherein the opening has beveled edges.

21. The tool of claim 19 wherein the opening comprises a first edge parallel to a first plane and a second edge parallel to a second plane, wherein the first edge is closer to the sharp end than the second edge and the first plane forms an angle between 0 and 85 degrees that is perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the cylinder, and the second plane forms an angle between 0 and 85 degrees with the reference plane.

22. The tool of claim 21 wherein the first plane defines an angle of approximately 60 degrees from the reference plane and the second plane defines an angle of approximately 74 degrees from the reference plane.

23. The tool of claim 19 wherein the opening comprises a shape that only partially conforms to the shape of the transponder whereby the transponder is adapted to be easily separated from the opening after insertion of the cylinder beneath the skin.

24. The tool of claim 19 wherein the opening comprises a shape that minimizes trauma to the skin during insertion and removal from the recipient.

25. The tool of claim 19 wherein the sliding sleeve comprises a lip whereby the sliding sleeve is adapted to be easily manipulated by a user.

26. The tool of claim 19 wherein the receptacle is coated with a substance that enhances the sticking of the encapsulated transponder.

27. An implantable transponder system adapted for implantation within a recipient, the implantable transponder system comprising:

a transponder;

a degradable capsule substantially covering the transponder;

a tool for implanting the transponder, the tool comprising;

a handle, a delivery cylinder, and a sliding sleeve, wherein;

the delivery cylinder is attached to the handle and the cylinder comprises a receptacle means to receive the transponder,

the sliding sleeve fits over the cylinder and is configured to slide back and forth across the cylinder, and

wherein the sliding sleeve slides back and forth across the cylinder while the degradable capsule is in the receptacle means.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the cylinder of the tool comprises a sharp end whereby the cylinder is adapted to be pushed through the skin of the recipient.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein the receptacle means comprises an opening.

30. The system of claim 29 comprising sterile packaging adapted for sterilely gripping the transponder after the transponder has been removed from the packaging.

31. The system of claim 27 wherein the degradable capsule comprises at east one antibiotic.

32. A method of implanting transponders within a recipient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a transponder with a degradable coating, wherein the transponder is sterile, is substantially coated by the degradable coating, and comprises a sharp edge; and

manually pushing the transponder through the skin of the recipient.

33. A method of implanting transponders within a recipient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a transponder with a degradable coating, wherein the transponder is sterile, is substantially coated by the degradable coating, and comprises a sharp edge;

providing an insertion tool, the tool comprising;

a handle, a delivery cylinder, and a sliding sleeve, wherein-

the delivery cylinder is attached to the handle and the cylinder comprises a receptacle means to receive the transponder; and

the sliding sleeve fits over the cylinder and is configured to slide back and forth across the cylinder;

inserting the coated transponder into the receptacle means;

pushing the sleeve over the receptacle means whereby the coated transponder is covered;

manually pushing the insertion tool through the skin of the recipient;

sliding the sleeve back to reveal the coated transponder;

rotating the insertion tool at least 180 degrees and separating the transponder from the tool; and

removing the insertion tool.