Method of providing an implantation site in soft tissue

Abstract

A method of providing a channel filled with aqueous gel in soft tissue comprises injecting a biocompatible aqueous gel into the tissue. Also disclosed is a corresponding device, the combination of the device and a guide for its insertion into tissue, and a system comprising the combination and a reservoir filled with aqueous gel comprising means for exerting pressure on the gel.

1 . A method of providing a channel filled with aqueous gel in soft tissue, comprising injecting a biocompatible aqueous gel into the tissue. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gel is native gelatin, recombinant gelatin, cross-linked gelatin and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gel is carbohydrate or protein gel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the carbohydrate gel is selected from the group consisting of arabinogalactan gel, arabinoxylan gel, galactan gel, galactomannan gel, lichenan gel, xylan gel, hydroxymethylpropyl cellulose gel and gels of other gel-forming cellulose derivatives. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the protein gel is selected from the group consisting of whey protein gel, soy protein gel, casein gel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue is nervous tissue. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous gel is injected by means of an oblong, rotationally symmetric device comprising an axially extending central conduit and radial bores penetrating the conduit wall. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the central conduit is open at its proximal end but closed at its distal end. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the opening at the proximal end is in fluid connection with a gel reservoir comprising a means for exerting pressure on the gel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the means is selected from compressible reservoir wall and mechanical pump. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the device is mounted at the site selected for forming the channel by means of an insertion guide comprising a tubiform element into which the device is insertable and in which it is displaceable in an axial direction. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the device is kept in a first position in the tubiform element in which position the outer openings of the radial bores are closed by the tubiform element. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the device is kept in a second position in the tubiform element in which a distal and a central portion of the tubiform element extends from the distal opening of the tubiform element and in which the outer openings of some or all radial bores are not shielded by the tubiform element, which second position is one in which a distal and central portion of the device is inserted into soft tissue. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising exerting pressure on the aqueous gel in the reservoir to force aqueous gel into the central conduit and the radial bores. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising exerting pressure on the aqueous gel in the reservoir to inject aqueous gel into the tissue via the radial bores to form a zone of aqueous gel in the tissue surrounding the device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising withdrawing the device from the tissue to allow the zone of aqueous gel surrounding the device to form a cylindrical channel filled with aqueous gel. 
     
     
         17 . A device for forming a channel in soft tissue filled with aqueous gel, comprising an oblong rotationally symmetric pin comprising a distal section extending from the distal towards the proximal end, a central section extending from the distal section towards the proximal end, and a proximal section extending from the central section to the proximal end, a central conduit extending from the proximal end to the distal section, means for providing fluid connection between the conduit and a reservoir for aqueous gel disposed at the proximal end of the conduit, and through bores disposed in the central section radially extending from the central conduit. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the distal section narrows towards the distal end of the pin. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the pin is cylindrical form, optionally except for at its proximal end. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17  of metal and/or polymer. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 17  comprising an electrode or optical fiber. 
     
     
         22 . A system for providing a channel in soft tissue filled with aqueous gel comprising the device of  claim 17  and an insertion guide comprising a tubiform element and a radially extending flange disposed at one end of the tubiform element; wherein the lumen of the tubiform element is slightly wider than the diameter of the device. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the axial extension of the tubiform element is greater than the axial extension of the central section of the pin. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the insertion guide comprises a stiff holding element fastened at the tubiform element and or the flange at its one end, the holding element being securable, directly or indirectly, at its other end at the person or animal comprising said soft tissue or at support on which the person or animal is immobilized. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a reservoir filled with aqueous gel in fluid communication with the device, and a means for applying pressure to the gel in the reservoir.