Surgical implantation instrument
AssigneeMiniPumps, LLC
InventorsMichelle Journey, Sean Caffey, Mark Humayun, John Huculak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Surgical introducers aid surgeons in the implantation of medical devices. The introducer provides support and an even distribution of force for ease of insertion and prevention of damage to the medical device while protecting the tissue into which the device is implanted. A representative embodiment includes or consists of a locking device, a pair of forceps, a specially configured and/or angled head with a seat for the device to be implanted, and a gripping area.
Claims25
An instrument facilitating surgical implantation of an implantable device having two opposed surface portions at least one of which has a curved surface contour, the instrument comprising:
- first and second forceps arms each having first and second ends, the arms being joined at the first ends thereof and arranged to oppose but permit resisted compression of the arms toward each other into a closed position from an open position, wherein compression of the arms toward each other into the closed position forces the second ends of the arms toward each other;
- a first-arm head member, having a first length defined by a distal end and a proximal end thereof, located at the second end of the first arm;
- and
- a second-arm head member, having a second length defined by a distal end and a proximal end thereof, located at the second end of the second arm,
- wherein:
- (i) the head members are flared outwardly so as to be angled away from each other along the entire first and second lengths thereof at least in the open position relative to an axis running between and coplanar with the arms,
- (ii) each of the head members defines an interior surface, the interior surfaces being opposed to each other and differently shaped to releasably engage the implantable device without damage thereto upon compression of the arms into the closed position,
- (iii) the interior surface of at least one of the head members has a curved portion complementary to the curved surface contour of the implantable device whereby closure of the arms causes the head members to opposedly engage the surface contour of the implantable device to prevent release thereof from the instrument in the closed position, and
- (iv) the differently shaped interior surfaces mate with different surface contours of the implantable device.
A combination comprising an implantable drug pump and an instrument retaining the implantable drug pump and facilitating its surgical implantation, the combination comprising:
- first and second forceps arms each having first and second ends, the arms being joined at the first ends thereof and arranged to oppose but permit resisted compression of the arms toward each other into a closed position from an open position, wherein compression of the arms toward each other into the closed position forces the second ends of the arms toward each other;
- a first-arm head member, having a first length defined by a distal end and a proximal end thereof, located at the second end of the first arm;
- a second-arm head member, having a second length defined by a distal end and a proximal end thereof, located at the second end of the second arm;
- and
- an implantable drug pump having two opposed surface portions at least one of which has a curved surface contour,
- wherein the head members are flared outwardly so as to be angled away from each other along the entire first and second lengths thereof at least in the open position relative to an axis running between and coplanar with the arms, each defining an interior surface, the interior surfaces being opposed to each other and differently shaped for opposedly and releasably engaging the implantable drug pump without damage thereto upon compression of the arms into the closed position, at least one of the interior surfaces having a curved portion complementary to the curved surface contour of the implantable drug pump, the differently shaped interior surfaces mating with different surface contours of the implantable device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.