Introducer for therapy delivery elements
First Claim
1. A device to facilitate implantation of a therapy element into a patient comprising an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into tissue of the patient,wherein the elongated body defines a lumen sized for insertion of the therapy element from the proximal end to the distal end through the lumen,wherein the elongated body comprises a substantially straight and substantially rigid proximal portion, a substantially straight and substantially rigid distal portion, and a curved portion located between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the curved portion less rigid than the proximal and distal portions, andwherein a length of the distal portion as measured from the distal end to the curved portion is greater than or approximately equal to a length of the proximal portion as measured from the curved portion to the proximal end,wherein the length of the distal portion is at least approximately twice the length of the proximal portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure describes an introducer for facilitating implantation of therapy elements into a patient. The introducer has an elongated body that defines a lumen for advancement of a therapy element to an implant site, and includes a curved portion medially located between substantially straight proximal and distal portions. As an example, the shape of the introducer may allow a clinician to more easily, and without substantially damaging surrounding tissue, find the correct tissue depth and follow that tissue depth to the implant site. For example, the introducer may facilitate implantation of a therapy element within or between desired layers of tissue of the patient. In some embodiments, fluid may be injected through the introducer to create a space within the tissue to implant the therapy element. Fluid may also be evacuated through the introducer prior to implantation.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A device to facilitate implantation of a therapy element into a patient comprising an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into tissue of the patient,
wherein the elongated body defines a lumen sized for insertion of the therapy element from the proximal end to the distal end through the lumen, wherein the elongated body comprises a substantially straight and substantially rigid proximal portion, a substantially straight and substantially rigid distal portion, and a curved portion located between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the curved portion less rigid than the proximal and distal portions, and wherein a length of the distal portion as measured from the distal end to the curved portion is greater than or approximately equal to a length of the proximal portion as measured from the curved portion to the proximal end, wherein the length of the distal portion is at least approximately twice the length of the proximal portion.
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5. A kit to facilitate implantation of therapy elements into a patient comprising:
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a therapy element; and an introducer comprising an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into tissue of the patient, wherein the elongated body defines a lumen sized for advancement of the therapy element from the proximal end to the distal end through the lumen, wherein the elongated body comprises a substantially straight and substantially rigid proximal portion, a substantially straight and substantially rigid distal portion, and a curved portion located between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the curved portion less rigid than the proximal and distal portions, and wherein a length of the distal portion as measured from the distal end to the curved portion is greater than or approximately equal to a length of the proximal portion as measured from the curved portion to the proximal end, wherein the length of the distal portion is at least approximately twice the length of the proximal portion. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 22, 23)
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10. A kit to facilitate implantation of therapy elements into a patient comprising:
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a therapy element; an introducer comprising an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into tissue of the patient, wherein the elongated body defines a lumen sized for advancement of the therapy element from the proximal end to the distal end through the lumen, wherein the elongated body comprises a substantially straight and substantially rigid proximal portion, a substantially straight and substantially rigid distal portion, and a curved portion located between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the curved portion less rigid than the proximal and distal portions, and wherein a length of the distal portion as measured from the distal end to the curved portion is greater than or approximately equal to a length of the portion as measured from the curved portion to the proximal end; and a fluid source that delivers fluid proximate to the distal end of the elongated body through the lumen of the elongated body to create a space within tissue of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method comprising:
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inserting an introducer into a patient, the introducer comprising an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into tissue of the patient, the elongated body defining a lumen; advancing the distal end of the elongated body through tissue of the patient to a position within the patient proximate to a therapy delivery site; advancing a therapy element from the proximal end of the elongated body to the distal end of the elongated body through the lumen to implant the therapy element at the therapy delivery site, wherein the elongated body comprises a substantially straight and substantially rigid proximal portion, a substantially straight and substantially rigid distal portion, and a curved portion located between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the curved portion less rigid than the proximal and distal portions, and wherein a length of the distal portion as measured from the distal end to the curved portion is greater than or approximately equal to a length of the proximal portion as measured from the curved portion to the proximal end; and introducing fluid into the implantation site through the lumen defined by the elongated body to create a space for implanting the therapy element. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification