Thread insertion devices

Abstract

Devices and methods for inserting an implant into skin or other tissue of a patient can include a hyaluronic thread that is coupled at a distal portion with an insertion device. The insertion device can include a cover member and a piston that can collectively facilitate engagement with or disengagement of the distal portion of the thread with the device. For example, the piston can be positioned within an inner cavity of the cover member, and the distal portion of the thread can be engaged by and/or between the piston and the cover member. The thread can be released by movement of the piston relative to the cover member. Thus, some insertion devices can grasp or engage the distal portion of the thread and “push” the distal portion of the thread into and through into skin or other tissue of a patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thread insertion assembly comprising:
 a first base and a second base, the second base comprising an inner cavity into which the first base can be positioned;   a cover member comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, an inner cavity extending from the proximal portion toward the distal portion of the cover member, and an aperture through the distal portion of the cover member, wherein the proximal portion of the cover member is coupled to the second base;   a thread comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the thread positioned through the aperture; and   a piston comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the piston coupled to the first base, and the distal portion of the piston is positioned within the inner cavity, the distal portion of the thread engaged between the piston and the cover member, wherein the thread is released by movement of the first base relative to the second base such that the distal portion of the piston and the distal portion of the cover member are moved toward each other.   
     
     
         2 . The thread insertion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the thread is released by movement of the first base toward the distal portion of the cover member. 
     
     
         3 . The thread insertion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the thread is released by proximal retraction of the second base relative to the first base. 
     
     
         4 . The thread insertion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second base comprises a flange extending from an outer surface of thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The thread insertion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first base extends through a proximal wall of the second base. 
     
     
         6 . The thread insertion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a spring is positioned between a distal portion of the first base and the second base, such that the first base is biased away from the distal portion of the cover member. 
     
     
         7 . The thread insertion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a proximal portion of the thread is engaged against an outer surface of the cover member. 
     
     
         8 . The thread insertion assembly of  claim 7 , wherein a fastener retains the proximal portion of the thread against an outer surface of the cover member. 
     
     
         9 . The thread insertion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture extends through a side of the cover member and is transverse to a longitudinal length of the cover member. 
     
     
         10 . The thread insertion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover member comprises a hypodermic tube. 
     
     
         11 . The thread insertion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the cover member comprises a bevel outer surface. 
     
     
         12 . The thread insertion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein, when the distal portion of the piston and the distal portion of the cover member are moved toward each other, the distal portion of the thread is severed. 
     
     
         13 . The thread insertion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the thread is compressed by the cover member. 
     
     
         14 . A method of inserting a thread comprising:
 inserting a distal portion of a cover member into a patient, wherein the cover member comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, an inner cavity extending from the proximal portion toward the distal portion of the cover member, and an aperture extending through the distal portion of the cover member;   moving a piston, positioned within the inner cavity and extending from the proximal portion toward the distal portion of the cover member such that a distal portion of a piston and the distal portion of the cover member are moved toward each other to separate a distal portion of a thread positioned through the aperture; and   retracting the distal portion of the cover member from the patient.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein moving a piston comprises moving a first base relative to a second base, wherein the piston comprises a proximal portion coupled to a first base, the proximal portion of the cover member is coupled to a second base. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein moving a first base relative to a second base comprises proximal retraction of the second base relative to the first base. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein moving a first base relative to a second base comprises moving the first base toward the distal portion of the cover member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising severing the distal portion of the thread when the distal portion of the piston and the distal portion of the cover member are moved toward each other. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the distal portion of the thread is compressed by a portion of the cover member, and the portion of the cover member is biased away from the distal portion of the thread when the distal portion of the piston and the distal portion of the cover member are moved toward each other. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising piercing a patient with a distal portion of the cover member.