Pre-loaded needle assembly
OwnerGary A. Lamoureux, Richard A. Terwilligerinventors
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Abstract
For implanting a therapeutic element, this needle assembly includes a cannula having a sharpened distal end, a line of elements in the cannula extending rearward from the distal end. A yieldable positioner including an absorbable plug positions the element more proximate the distal end a predetermined distance from the distal end. The positioner may be in various forms including an end plug, a tab in the cannula. The needle assembly may also be pre-loaded with the line of elements and be sterile and a distortion of the wall of the cannula. A stylet is reciprocable in the cannula and engages the end of the line of elements more remote from the distal end of the cannula.
Claims21
For implanting therapeutic elements, a needle assembly comprising a cannula having a wall and a sharpened distal end, a line of elements in the cannula extending rearward from the distal end, yieldable means, including a plug, for positioning an element more proximate the distal end a predetermined distance from the distal end, and a stylet reciprocable in the cannula and having a distal end engaging an end of the line of elements more remote from the distal end of the cannula.
For implanting a therapeutic element, a needle assembly comprising a cannula having a wall and having a sharpened distal end, a generally cylindrical end plug frictionally held in the distal end having a rearward end extending from the distal end a pre-determined distance, a line of elements in the cannula contacting the plug and extending rearward thereform, and a stylet reciprocable in the cannula and having a distal end engaging an end of the line of elements more remote from the distal end of the cannula.
A method of making a needle assembly for implanting radiation seeds, comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a cannula having a sharpened distal end and a generally cylindrical plug,
- b. forcing the plug into the sharpened distal end of the cannula to frictionally reside there.
A method of making a needle assembly for implanting therapeutic elements, comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a cannula having a wall and having a sharpened distal end and providing a generally cylindrical plug,
- b. placing the plug into the sharpened distal end of the cannula to reside there, and
- c. modifying the diameter of the plug to enhance its frictional engagement with the wall of the cannula.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.