Implanting device and method of using same

Abstract

A device for implanting at least one object beneath the skin of a patient includes a handle for grasping the device during insertion of an object. The handle may have a distal end, a proximal end, and an angled track formed on the handle. The angled track may have a stop at the distal portion that permits securing of the actuator and locks the cannula in a loaded position. A base may be connected to the handle. The base may include a post longitudinally fixed to the handle. The post may extend from the distal end of the handle. A hollow cannula may be positioned coaxially around and longitudinally slidable over the post from an extended position, in which at least one object is retained in the cannula, to a retracted position, in which at least one object is released from the cannula. A flexible actuator may be slidably engaged to the cannula to move the cannula from the extended position the retracted position to release the object from the cannula. The actuator may flex between a locked and an unlocked position.

1 . A device for implanting at least one object beneath the skin of a patient comprising: 
 a handle for grasping the device during insertion of an object, the handle having a distal end, a proximal end and an angled track formed on the handle, wherein the angled track has a stop at the distal portion that permits securing of the actuator and locks the cannula in a loaded position;    a base connected to the handle, the base comprising: 
 a post longitudinally fixed to the handle, the post extending from the distal end of the handle;  
 a hollow cannula positioned coaxially around and longitudinally slidable over the post from an extended position, in which at least one object is retained in the cannula, to a retracted position, in which at least one object is released from the cannula;  
 and a flexible actuator slidably engaged to the cannula to move the cannula from the extended position to the retracted position to release the object from the cannula, wherein the actuator flexes between a locked and an unlocked position.  
   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising one or more implantable objects.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the implantable objects comprise one or more of either therapeutics, pharmaceuticals, or microencapsulated sensors.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein pressing the flexible actuator in the distal position of the angled track engages a locking feature to prevent retraction of the cannula.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible actuator is released from the locked position by pressing the actuator.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a cartridge removably mounted and parallel to a central bore of said cannula and a means for moving objects into the cannula for delivery upon retraction of said cannula.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the angled track is either linear or curvilinear.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a bottom surface that is substantially planar and parallel to the cannula.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula includes a tip at the distal end that is formed from at least one beveled angle of between 30 and 45 degrees.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula includes a tip at the distal end that is formed at a sharp point of 27 degrees.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula includes a depth indicating marker.  
   
   
       12 . A device for implanting at least one object beneath the skin of a patient comprising: 
 a handle for grasping the device during the insertion of an object, the handle having a distal end, a proximal end, and an angled track formed on the handle,    a base connected to the handle, the base comprising: 
 a post longitudinally fixed to the handle, the post extending from the distal end of the handle;  
 a hollow cannula positioned coaxially around and longitudinally slidable over the post from an extended position, in which at least one object is retained in the cannula, to a retracted position, in which at least one object is released from the cannula;  
 and a flexible actuator that pushes or pulls at least two guide posts to move the cannula from the extended position to the retracted position to release the object from the cannula, wherein the actuator flexes between a locked and an unlocked position along a curvilinear path.  
   
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein a flexible actuator further comprises a boss channel that engages the guide posts and permits a pulling or pushing force to be exerted on the cannula, for extension or retraction.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the boss channel and the cannula guide posts are not attached.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the boss channel does not pivot around the cannula guide posts.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising one or more implantable objects.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the implantable objects comprise one or more of with therapeutics, pharmaceuticals, or microencapsulated sensors.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising a cartridge removably mounted and parallel to a central bore of said cannula and a means for moving objects into the cannula for delivery upon retraction of said cannula.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein pressing the actuator in the distal position of the angled track engages a locking feature to prevent retraction of the cannula.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the actuator is released from the locked position by pressing the actuator.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the base includes a bottom surface that is substantially planar and parallel to the cannula.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the cannula includes a tip at the distal end that is formed from at least one beveled angle of between 30 and 45 degrees.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the cannula includes a tip at the distal end that is formed at a sharp point of 27 degrees.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the cannula includes a depth indicating marker.  
   
   
       25 . A method of inserting an object beneath the skin of a patient, comprising: 
 grasping a handle of a device during insertion of an object, the handle having a distal end, a proximal end, and an angled track formed on the handle, wherein the angled track has a Stop at the distal portion that permits securing of the actuator and locks the cannula in a loaded position; and    connecting a base to the handle, the base comprising: 
 extending a post from the distal end of the handle wherein the post is longitudinally fixed to the handle,  
 positioning a hollow cannula coaxially around and longitudinally slidable over the post from an extended position, in which at least one object is retained in the cannula, to a retracted position, in which at least one object is released from the cannula; and  
 slidably engaging a flexible actuator to the cannula to move the cannula from the extended position to the retracted position to release the object from the cannula, wherein the actuator flexes between a locked and an unlocked position.  
   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising pressing the flexible actuator in the distal position of the angled track to engage a locking feature to prevent retraction of the cannula.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising pressing the flexible actuator to release the actuator from the locked position.