Device and method for injecting a biomaterial into body tissue

An injection device comprising:

• a detection unit that includes an electrode capable of detecting electrical characteristics of a biological tissue, and a follow-up mechanism comprising an elastic member that follows motions of the biological tissue;
• and
• a puncture unit comprising a needle that is capable of puncturing the biological tissue, and administering a predetermined substance to the biological tissue through a hollow portion defined in the needle,
• wherein a position of the puncture unit is capable of being specified based on a position of the electrode,
• wherein the elastic member of the follow-up mechanism comprises a spiral portion spirally extending around the puncture unit, and being stretchable and compressible along an extending direction of the puncture unit,
• wherein a distal end of the puncture unit is disposed offset a distance from a central axis line of the spiral portion, and
• wherein the puncture unit is capable of rotating around the central axis line of the spiral portion, independently of the detection unit, and
• wherein the electrode comprises a plurality of electrodes that are disposed on an annular distal-end projected plane of the spiral portion, which is specified when seen from a distal end side of the puncture unit, along a circumferential direction of the puncture unit.

An injection method executed using an injection device which includes a detection unit including an electrode and a follow-up mechanism comprising an elastic member that follows motions of a biological tissue, and a puncture unit comprising a needle, in which the elastic member of the follow-up mechanism comprises a spiral portion spirally extending around the puncture unit and being stretchable and compressible along an extending direction of the puncture unit, and in which the electrode comprises a plurality of electrodes that are disposed on an annular distal-end projected plane of the spiral portion, which is specified when seen from a distal end side of the puncture unit, along a circumferential direction of the puncture unit, wherein a distal end of the puncture unit is disposed offset a distance from a central axis line of the spiral portion, and wherein the puncture unit is capable of rotating around the central axis line of the spiral portion, independently of the detection unit, the method comprising:

• a detection step of bringing the electrodes into contact with the biological tissue, and detecting electrical characteristics of the biological tissue;
• a determination step of determining whether there is an infarct at a puncture position of the puncture unit, based on the detected electrical characteristics;
• and
• an administration step of puncturing the biological tissue via the puncture unit, and administering a predetermined substance to the biological tissue through a hollow portion defined in the puncture unit, when it is determined that there is the infarct.