Methods and apparatus for implanting electronic implants within the body

Abstract

An apparatus includes an implant delivery device configured to deliver an implant into a body. The implant delivery device includes a target member, an insertion member and an electronic circuit system. The target member has a distal end portion configured to be disposed within the body adjacent a target location. The insertion member is movably coupled to the target member. A distal end portion of the insertion member is configured to be disposed within the body and selectively coupled to the implant. The electronic circuit system is configured to produce an electronic signal in proportion to a distance between the distal end portion of the target member and the distal end portion of the insertion member when the target member and the insertion member are disposed within the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a first member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the distal end portion of the first member including a target probe; and   a second member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the second member operatively coupled to the first member, the distal end portion of the second member configured to be selectively coupled to an electronic implant.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second member is rotatably coupled to the first member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second member is configured to translate relative to the first member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the target probe is configured to be disposed within the body; and   the second member is movable relative to the first member between a first position and a second position, the distal end portion of the second member being disposed outside of the body when the second member is in the first position, the distal end portion of the second member being disposed within the body and adjacent the target probe when the second member is in the second position.   
     
     
         5 . A method, comprising:
 inserting a target probe along a first path within a body such that a portion of the target probe is disposed adjacent a target location within the body; and   inserting an electronic implant along a second path within the body such that a portion of the electronic implant is disposed adjacent the target location within the body, the second path different from the first path,   the inserting the electronic implant is performed when the target probe is disposed adjacent the target location within the body.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the inserting the electronic implant includes moving an insertion member of an implant delivery device relative to the target probe, the insertion member of the implant delivery device coupled to the target probe, the electronic implant configured to be selectively coupled to the insertion member of the implant delivery device.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the inserting the target probe includes inserting the target probe via a first incision; and   the inserting the electronic implant includes inserting the electronic implant via a second incision, the second incision being physically distinct from the first incision.   
     
     
         8 . A method, comprising:
 inserting a target member into a body such that a distal end portion of the target member is disposed adjacent a target location within the body;   inserting a distal end portion of an insertion member into the body, the insertion member movably coupled to the target member, the insertion member selectively coupled to an implant; and   producing an electronic signal in proportion to a distance between the distal end portion of the target member and the distal end portion of the insertion member when the target member and the insertion member are disposed within the body.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inserting the target member is performed percutaneously via a first incision, the method further comprising:
 defining a passageway within the body with the distal end portion of the insertion member, the passageway extending from a second incision to the target location, the second incision being physically distinct from the first incision.