Implant positioning system and method

A method of treating visicoureteral reflux in a mammal, comprising:

• a. providing a medical device comprising:
• i) a cannula having a distal end, an open proximal end, and defining a cannula lumen extending therebetween, the cannula having a longitudinal axis, the cannula defining a first aperture in a side wall thereof in communication with the cannula lumen, the first aperture being positioned a predetermined distance from the distal end of the cannula and having a first aperture end and an opposed second aperture end, the first aperture end being closer to the distal end of the cannula than the second aperture end, the cannula further comprising an angled ramp platform disposed within the cannula lumen proximate to the first aperture, the angled ramp platform extending proximally and inwardly away from proximate the first aperture end of the aperture at a predetermined obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula;
• and
• ii) a needle positioned within the cannula lumen and movable therein, the needle having an open tip, a spaced open end in fluid communication with a biocompatible bulking composition, and defining a needle lumen extending therebetween for delivering the biocompatible bulking composition to a patient, the needle being movable from and between a withdrawn position, at which the tip of the needle is stored within the cannula lumen, to an extended position, at which the tip of the needle extends through the first aperture of the cannula a predetermined distance from the side wall of the cannula;
• b. directing a pressurized stream of irrigation fluid into the ureter to open the ureteral orifice;
• c. inserting the distal end of the cannula of the medical device through the ureteral orifice and into the ureteral tunnel;
• d. orienting the first aperture of the cannula so that it is adjacent a targeted anatomical site;
• e. moving the needle from the withdrawn position toward an at least partially extended position to insert the needle tip into the targeted anatomical site to a desired depth;
• and
• f. injecting a volume of the biocompatible bulking composition into the targeted anatomical site to achieve coaptation.