Apparatus and method for optimized prosthesis packaging and/or delivery

A delivery system for inserting at least one prosthesis into a surgical pocket, the delivery system comprising:

• the at least one prosthesis;
• a collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus, the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus comprising:
• a terminal end and a receiving end, the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus having an initial delivery position, whereby the collapsible prosthesis is tapered such that a width of the terminal end is smaller than a width of the receiving end;
• a waist region having a top and a bottom, the waist region being positioned between the terminal end and the receiving end of the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus, wherein the waist region defines a transition between a proximal region and a terminal region;
• an expandable opening of the terminal end, wherein the expandable opening is configured to temporarily affix together when not in use and expand upon manually applicable pressure to facilitate extrusion of the prosthesis;
• an interior surface that forms an internal cavity, the internal cavity being sized to receive at least one prosthesis;
• and
• at least one channel circumferentially disposed about at least one portion of the internal cavity of the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus, the at least one channel being in fluidic communication with the internal cavity, whereby the at least one channel receives lubricant from a fluid lining and is structured to direct the lubricant across the entire interior surface of the internal cavity;
• wherein the receiving end comprises a sealable opening, wherein the sealable opening includes at least one temporary adhesive configured to temporarily affix a circumference of the sealable opening together, and wherein the at least one temporary adhesive is configured to release the receiving end upon application of a manually applicable directional pressure;
• wherein the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus is free-standing when the terminal end is disposed on a medical surface, whereby the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus remains stable for manual manipulation during a surgical procedure;
• wherein the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus is adapted to be manually manipulated to translate the at least one prosthesis along the internal cavity and through the expandable opening;
• and
• wherein subsequent to the at least one prosthesis being extruded from the expandable opening, the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus returns to the initial delivery position.

A method of inserting at least one prosthesis into a surgical pocket, the method comprising:

• providing a collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus, the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus comprising:
• a terminal end and a receiving end, the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus having an initial delivery position, whereby the collapsible prosthesis is tapered such that a width of the terminal end is smaller than a width of the receiving end;
• a waist region having a top and a bottom, the waist region being positioned between the terminal end and the receiving end of the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus, wherein the waist region defines a transition between a proximal region and a terminal region;
• an expandable opening of the terminal end;
• an interior surface that forms an internal cavity, the internal cavity being sized to receive at least one prosthesis;
• at least one channel circumferentially disposed about at least one portion of the internal cavity of the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus, the at least one channel being in fluidic communication with the internal cavity;
• and
• wherein the receiving end comprises a scalable opening, wherein the scalable opening includes at least one temporary adhesive configured to temporarily affix a circumference of the sealable opening together, and wherein the at least one temporary adhesive is configured to release the receiving end upon application of a manually applicable directional pressure;
• wherein the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus is free-standing when the receiving end and the terminal end are disposed on a medical surface, whereby the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus remains stable for manual manipulation during a surgical procedure;
• disposing at least one lubricant, via the receiving end, into the at least one channel by manually expressing the lubricant from the fluid lining disposed about a portion of the receiving end;
• inserting the at least one prosthesis into the internal cavity of the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus, wherein the prosthesis delivery apparatus is free-standing when the terminal end is disposed on a medical surface during preparation and insertion of the at least one prosthesis;
• introducing the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus into the surgical pocket;
• and
• manipulating the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus to conform to a shape of the at least one prosthesis and apply pressure to translate the at least one prosthesis along the length of the internal cavity, out of the expandable opening, and into the surgical pocket, wherein subsequent to the at least one prosthesis being extruded from the expandable opening, the collapsible prosthesis delivery apparatus retracts to its initial delivery position.