Implant delivery devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

Described here are systems, devices, and methods for delivering an implant to the orbit. In some instances, the systems may comprise a delivery device having a tongue member and a handle. The delivery device may further include an ejector configured to deliver an implant from the tongue member. The delivery device may also include a piercing member configured to create an opening in tissue. The systems may further comprise a piercing member for creating an opening in tissue. In some instances, the piercing member may have a first blade member rotatably connected to a second blade member.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method for delivering an implant to an orbit, comprising:
 piercing, by a piercing member of a delivery device, the conjunctiva of the orbit to form an opening therein;   advancing a tongue member of the delivery device through the opening to form a pocket beyond the conjunctiva; and   delivering, from the tongue member, the implant into the pocket.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the piercing member comprises a piercing tip and the tongue member comprises a tongue member tip. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the piercing further comprises:
 retracting a control slider of the delivery device, thereby causing the piercing member to move between a retracted configuration in which the piercing tip does not extend beyond the tongue member tip and a piercing configuration in which the piercing tip extends beyond the tongue member tip.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the method further comprises:
 moving the piercing member between a piercing configuration in which the piercing tip extends beyond the tongue member tip and a retracted configuration in which the piercing tip does not extend beyond the tongue member tip.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the advancing comprises:
 advancing the tongue member with the piercing member in a retracted configuration in which the piercing tip does not extend beyond the tip of the tongue member.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the delivery device further comprises:
 a handle;   a control slider; and   a pusher slidably attached to the tongue member.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the delivering further comprises:
 advancing the control slider relative to the handle to thereby advance the pusher relative to the tongue member and deliver the implant into the pocket.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising:
 withdrawing the control slider relative to the handle to thereby withdraw the pusher relative to the tongue member.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 dilating the opening.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein dilating the opening comprises dilating the opening with the delivery device. 
     
     
         42 . A method for delivering an implant to the conjunctiva of a patient, comprising:
 forming, by a piercing member of a delivery device, an opening in the conjunctiva of the patient;   forming, by a tongue member of the delivery device, a pocket beyond the conjunctiva; and   delivering, from the tongue member of the delivery device, the implant into the pocket.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the piercing member comprises a piercing tip and the tongue member comprises a tongue member tip. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the method further comprises:
 retracting a control slider of the delivery device, thereby causing the piercing member to move between a retracted configuration in which the piercing tip does not extend beyond the tongue member tip and a piercing configuration in which the piercing tip extends beyond the tongue member tip.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the method further comprises:
 moving the piercing member between a piercing configuration in which the piercing tip extends beyond the tongue member tip and a retracted configuration in which the piercing tip does not extend beyond the tongue member tip.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the delivering comprises:
 advancing the tongue member with the piercing member in a retracted configuration in which the piercing tip does not extend beyond the tip of the tongue member.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the delivery device further comprises:
 a handle;   a control slider; and   a pusher slidably attached to the tongue member.   
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the delivering further comprises:
 advancing the control slider relative to the handle to thereby advance the pusher relative to the tongue member and deliver the implant into the pocket.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 withdrawing the control slider relative to the handle to thereby withdraw the pusher relative to the tongue member.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising dilating the opening. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein dilating the opening comprises dilating the opening with the delivery device.