Apparatuses and methods for percutaneously implanting objects in patients

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for percutaneously implanting objects, such as radioactive seeds or markers, in patients. In one embodiment, a device for percutaneously implanting an object in a patient includes a handle, a cannula projecting outwardly from the handle, and an actuator movably disposed relative to the handle. In one aspect of this embodiment, the cannula can be configured to releasably hold the object and percutaneously penetrate the patient. In another aspect of this embodiment, the actuator can be operably connected to the cannula and operable to move the cannula relative to the handle and release the object within the patient. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the cannula can include a tip portion having a restriction configured to releasably hold the object for implantation in the patient.

1 . A device for percutaneously implanting an object in a patient, the device comprising: 
 a handle;    a cannula having a proximal portion slidably carried proximate to the handle and a distal portion configured to releasably hold the object; and    an actuator connected to the proximal end of the cannula and movably disposed relative to the handle, wherein the actuator comprises an interface element that (a) engages the handle to restrict axial movement between the actuator and the handle, and (b) disengages the handle to allow the cannula to slide axially relative to the handle and release the object within the patient.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a stylet extending at least partially within the cannula and being fixedly positioned with respect to the handle, wherein the actuator is selectively movable relative to the handle to slide the cannula relative to the stationary stylet and release the object within the patient.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a stylet extending at least partially within the cannula and being fixedly positioned with respect to the handle, wherein the distal portion of the cannula includes a restriction configured to releasably retain the object in the cannula between a distal end of the stylet and the restriction, and wherein the actuator is selectively movable relative to the handle to slide the cannula relative to the stationary stylet and overcome the restriction to release the object within the patient.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the handle is configured to be held in a single hand of an operator, and wherein the actuator is configured to be manipulated by a digit of the single hand of the operator to slide the cannula relative to the handle and release the object within the patient.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the interface element of the actuator comprises a position selector, the position selector being manually operable to move the actuator from a first position to a second position, wherein the cannula at least generally retains the object when the actuator is in the first position, and wherein the cannula releases the object when the actuator is moved to the second position.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the handle is configured to be held in a single hand of an operator, wherein the interface element of the actuator comprises a position selector configured to be manipulated by a digit of the single hand of the operator to move the actuator from a first position to a second position, wherein the cannula at least generally retains the object when the actuator is in the first position, and wherein the cannula releases the object when the actuator is moved to the second position.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the distal portion of the cannula includes a tip portion configured to percutaneously penetrate the patient, and wherein the tip portion is configured to releasably hold the object for implantation in the patient.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the tip portion includes a restriction configured to releasably hold the object for implantation in the patient.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7  wherein at least a portion of the cannula defines a circular cylinder, and wherein the tip portion includes a deformation of the circular cylinder configured to releasably hold the object for implantation in the patient.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the tip portion includes at least one crimp in the cannula configured to releasably hold the object for implantation in the patient.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the handle includes an interior portion and the actuator is slidably disposed at least partially within the interior portion.  
   
   
       12 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A cannula for use in percutaneously implanting an object in a patient, the cannula comprising: 
 a proximal portion having an inlet configured to receive the object;    an intermediate portion extending distally from the proximal portion; and    a distal portion extending distally from the intermediate portion, the distal portion having a tip with a cutting edge configured to penetrate the skin of the patient and a restriction at the cutting edge configured to releasably hold the object within the cannula prior to release of the object in the patient.    
   
   
       19 . The cannula of  claim 18  wherein the distal portion and the restriction are formed from a single piece of material.  
   
   
       20 . The cannula of  claim 18  wherein the restriction comprises a deformation of the distal portion that project inward into a lumen defined by the cannula.  
   
   
       21 . The cannula of  claim 18  wherein the restriction includes at least one crimp.  
   
   
       22 . The cannula of  claim 18  wherein the intermediate portion defines a first inner cross-section, and wherein the restriction defines a second inner cross-section less than the first inner cross-section.  
   
   
       23 . The cannula of  claim 18  wherein the cutting edge is a beveled edge, and wherein the restriction is positioned at least proximate to the beveled edge.  
   
   
       24 . The cannula of  claim 18  wherein the cutting edge is a beveled edge and the restriction is an inward deformation of the beveled edge.  
   
   
       25 . The cannula of  claim 18  wherein the inlet is flared to facilitate loading of the object into the cannula.  
   
   
       26 . A method for percutaneously implanting an object in a patient, the method comprising: 
 locking a cannula to a handle in a first position in which the cannula carries an object to be implanted in a patient;    driving the handle and the cannula as a unitary introducer in a distal direction with a single hand of an operator to percutaneously insert a distal end of the cannula into the patient; and    moving the cannula in a proximal direction relative to the handle to release the object within the patient.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein moving the cannula relative to the handle includes sliding the cannula with respect to a stationary stylet fixed to the handle extending coaxially through at least a portion of the cannula.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein moving the handle to percutaneously insert the cannula into the patient includes driving the handle in the distal direction with the single hand of the operator, and wherein moving the cannula in the proximal direction relative to the handle to release the object within the patient includes manipulating an actuator with a digit of the single hand of the operator to move the cannula proximally relative to the handle while the handle remains stationary in the hand of the operator.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein an actuator is movably disposed at least proximate to the handle and connected to the handle, and wherein moving the cannula comprises manipulating the actuator to move the cannula proximally relative to the handle and release the object within the patient.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein a stylet is fixedly attached to the handle and extends through a portion of the cannula, and wherein manipulating the actuator to move the cannula proximally relative to the handle comprises sliding the actuator proximally to slide the cannula proximally over the stylet.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the actuator comprises a button that is configured to engage the handle in a first position to restrict relative axial movement therebetween and disengage the handle in a second position to allow axial movement therebetween, and wherein manipulating the actuator to move the cannula relative to the handle and release the object includes moving the button to the first position and sliding the button proximally relative to the handle.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the cannula includes an inlet, and wherein the method further comprises: 
 inserting the object into the cannula through the inlet; and    sliding a stylet through the inlet in at least a portion of a lumen of the cannula after the object has been inserted into the lumen to position a distal tip of the stylet against the object.