Method for constructing an instrument with a two-part plunger for subcutaneous implantation

• US 8,251,946 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2010
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Science Operating Company (Cardica Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Science Operating Company (Cardica Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bardy, Gust H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Koharski, Christopher D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Price, Nathan R
• Application Number:
  US12/836,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20100331868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 604 57- 64, 604/117, 604/158, 604/164.01, 604/164.04, 604/164.06, 604/164.08, 604/274, 600/432, 600/567
• US Class Current: 604/60
• 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 for use in subcutaneous implantation, comprising:

forming an incising body comprising a syringe body fixedly attached to an incising shaft and open on both distal and proximal ends;

defining a non-circular bore along a longitudinal axis through the syringe body and the incising shaft, the bore sized to enclose an implant;

sharpening a bottom edge of the distal end of the incising shaft;

constructing a two-part plunger, comprising;

constructing a tongue blade comprising a horizontal flat surface sized to fit within a width of the bore;

sharpening a distal end of the tongue blade into a bevel;

affixing a straight tongue blade shaft to a proximal end of the tongue blade, the tongue blade and the tongue blade shaft having a combined length exceeding a length of the bore;

constructing a plunger comprising a horizontal flat surface and a blunt tip on a distal end of the flat surface sized to fit within a width of the bore;

affixing a plunger shaft to a proximal end of the plunger, the plunger and the plunger shaft having a combined length exceeding the length of the bore; and

orienting the plunger shaft side-by-side with the tongue blade shaft; and

inserting the proximal ends of the tongue blade and the plunger of the two-part plunger through the open distal end of the bore until the distal ends of the tongue blade and the plunger are inside the bore and the proximal ends of the tongue blade and the plunger shafts extend beyond the proximal end of the syringe body of 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, and plunger.

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:

pivotably affixing a cover on a top edge of the distal end of the incising body, the cover completely covering the open distal end of the bore in a closed position.

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

sharpening a periphery along a bottom edge of the tongue blade.

6. 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.

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

inserting the implant within the bore of the incising body on top of the tongue blade and in front of the plunger.

8. A method for constructing an instrument for use in subcutaneous implantation, comprising:

assembling an incising body, comprising;

forming an incising shaft defining a cavity along a longitudinal axis and open on a distal end and partially open on a proximal end, the cavity sized to enclose an implant;

forming a cutting edge on a bottom surface of the distal end of the incising shaft;

forming a syringe body defining a bore that is shorter than the incising shaft in length and narrower than both the cavity and the incising shaft in width and height along a longitudinal axis and open on both distal and proximal ends; and

affixing a distal end of the syringe body to a proximal end of the incising shaft with the bore aligned with the partially open proximal end of the cavity;

assembling a two-part plunger, comprising;

constructing a tongue blade comprising a horizontal flat surface sized to fit within a width of the cavity;

sharpening a distal end of the flat surface of the tongue blade into a bevel;

affixing the tongue blade to a distal end of a straight tongue blade shaft that is sized to slide longitudinally within the bore;

constructing a plunger comprising a horizontal flat surface sized to fit within a width of the cavity, the flat surfaces of the tongue blade and plunger together sized to fit within a height of the cavity;

affixing the plunger to a distal end of a plunger shaft that is sized to slide longitudinally within the bore, the tongue blade and plunger shafts together sized to fit within the bore; and

orienting the plunger shaft above the tongue;

blade shaft; and

inserting proximal ends of the tongue blade and the plunger of the two-part plunger through the open distal end of the cavity until the distal ends of the tongue blade and the plunger are inside the cavity and the proximal ends of the tongue blade and the plunger shafts extend beyond the proximal end of the syringe body of the incising body.

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

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

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

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

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

pivotably affixing a cover on a top edge of the distal end of the incising body, the cover completely covering the open distal end of the cavity in a closed position.

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

forming indented grooves on a top surface of the incising body.

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

sharpening a periphery along a bottom edge of the tongue blade.

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

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

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

inserting the implant within the bore of the incising body on top of the tongue blade and in front of the plunger.