Device for indwelling embedded body

Abstract

This device (10) for indwelling an embedded body comprises: a puncture needle (12) that is inserted into a body (BD); a needle hub (20) that has a retaining groove (32); and a plunger (60) that pushes an embedded body (FB) installed in the retaining groove (32) toward the puncture needle (12). The distal end of the plunger (60) can move from a position closer to the proximal end side than the retaining groove (32) in a second lumen (24) to a position closer to the distal end side than the distal end of a first lumen (14). When the plunger (60) moves the second lumen (24) toward the first lumen (14), the plunger (60) receives, at the tip, the embedded body (FB) installed in the retaining groove (32).

Description

Implant placement device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an implant placement device for placing an implant in the body of a living organism.

[0002] Various treatment methods have been proposed for treating tissues with impaired function in the body, in which implants that promote tissue regeneration are placed at the treatment site (within the body). For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-127607 proposes a method of implanting porous collagen fibers with countless pores formed therein at the damaged site. In this case, cells gather around the collagen fibers, promoting the regeneration of the damaged tissue.

[0003] As a configuration of a device for holding and delivering a filamentous (thread-like) implant within the body and releasing the implant within the body, the suturing instrument configuration described in U.S. Patent No. 9,301,748 can be considered. In this suturing instrument, the suture is held in a suture trough formed in a rod. The suture is delivered into the body by moving the rod toward the body.

[0004] JP 2020-127607 A U.S. Patent No. 9,301,748

[0005] There is a need for a device that allows for easy placement of a fibrous implant into the device and easy release of the implant within the body.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] (1) An aspect of the present disclosure is an implant placement device comprising: a puncture needle to be inserted into the body of a living organism; a needle hub located at the base end of the puncture needle; and a pusher that pushes a fibrous implant held by the needle hub toward the puncture needle, wherein the puncture needle has a first lumen extending along the axial direction of the implant placement device; the needle hub has a second lumen extending along the axial direction and connected to the base end of the first lumen; and a holding groove that holds the implant, wherein the holding groove has a pair of open ends, one on each side of the second lumen in a direction intersecting the second lumen, and communicates with the outer surface of the needle hub; the tip of the pusher is movable from a position in the second lumen that is more proximal than the holding groove to a position more distal than the tip of the first lumen, and receives the implant held in the holding groove at its tip as it moves from the second lumen toward the first lumen.

[0008] According to this configuration, the embedding body can be easily installed in the holding groove by hanging the embedding body in the holding groove so that the embedding body is exposed from the pair of open ends of the holding groove.

[0009] Furthermore, the implant can be pushed out into the body of a living organism by moving the pusher distally along the second lumen and the first lumen. The implant is then placed in the body of a living organism by moving the pusher proximally along the first lumen and the second lumen. Therefore, with the above configuration, the implant can be delivered and placed in the body of a living organism through a simple operation.

[0010] Furthermore, since the implant can be placed in the body by inserting the pusher into the first lumen of the puncture needle, the number of parts of the implant placement device can be reduced, thereby simplifying the configuration of the implant placement device.

[0011] (2) In the implant placement device described in item (1) above, the retaining groove is recessed along a recessing direction from the outer surface of the needle hub toward the second lumen, and the retaining groove has an intermediate opening that opens on the outer surface of the needle hub, an accommodating space that is an end in the recessing direction and that accommodates a portion of the implant between the pair of open ends, and an introduction passage that is connected to the intermediate opening and the accommodating space in the recessing direction, and the intermediate opening, the introduction passage, and the accommodating space are each connected to the pair of open ends, and when the retaining groove is viewed from one of the pair of open ends, the dimension in a direction perpendicular to the recessing direction at the entrance from the introduction passage to the accommodating space may be smaller than the dimension in the direction perpendicular to the recessing direction of the accommodating space.

[0012] When the embedding body is passed through the introduction passage into the accommodation space, the embedding body contracts due to its elasticity at the entrance from the introduction passage to the accommodation space. When the embedding body moves into the accommodation space, it expands due to its elasticity and returns to its original shape. Once the embedding body has returned to its original shape, it is difficult for it to leave the retention groove from the accommodation space via the introduction passage. Therefore, the embedding body is prevented from leaving the accommodation space. In other words, the entrance prevents the embedding body from slipping out of the intermediate opening.

[0013] (3) In the implant placement device described in item (1) above, the retaining groove is recessed along a recessing direction from the outer surface of the needle hub toward the second lumen, and the retaining groove has an intermediate opening that opens on the outer surface of the needle hub, an accommodating space that is an end in the recessing direction and that accommodates a portion of the implant between the pair of open ends, and an introduction passage that is connected to the intermediate opening and the accommodating space in the recessing direction, and the intermediate opening, the introduction passage, and the accommodating space are each connected to the pair of open ends, and the introduction passage may narrow from the intermediate opening toward the accommodating space.

[0014] With this configuration, the intermediate opening is wide, making it easy to insert the embedding body into the intermediate opening. In addition, the embedding body is guided by the narrowing introduction passage, making it easy to get the embedding body to reach the accommodation space.

[0015] (4) In the implant placement device described in item (1) above, the retaining groove may have an intermediate opening that opens on the outer surface of the needle hub and is connected to the pair of open ends, and the needle hub may have a cover that can open or close the intermediate opening.

[0016] With this configuration, the embed is inserted into the retaining groove with the cover in the open position, and then the cover is closed to prevent the embed from coming out of the intermediate opening.

[0017] (5) In the implant placement device described in item (4) above, the cover may be opened by rotating toward the inside of the holding groove when a pressing force is applied toward the inside of the holding groove, and may be closed by rotating toward the intermediate opening when the pressing force is released.

[0018] With this configuration, when inserting the embed into the holding groove, the embed pushes the cover, which allows the cover to be easily opened. Furthermore, when the embed is inserted into the holding groove and separates from the cover, in other words, when the embed is no longer in contact with the cover, the cover returns to the closed state. Thus, with this configuration, opening and closing the cover is easy.

[0019] (6) In the implant placement device described in item (4) above, the cover may be elastically deformed to an open state when a pressing force is applied toward the inside of the holding groove, and may be elastically deformed to its original shape to a closed state when the pressing force is released.

[0020] With this configuration, the cover can be easily opened and closed based on its elastic deformation.

[0021] (7) In the implant placement device described in item (1) above, the needle hub may have a reinforcing portion provided on the outer surface of the needle hub on the opposite side of the retaining groove, with the central axis of the second inner cavity as the boundary.

[0022] With this configuration, even though the needle hub has a retaining groove formed therein, the rigidity of the needle hub can be ensured by the reinforcing portion.

[0023] (8) In the implant placement device described in item (1) above, the needle hub may have a guide hole therein that tapers in diameter from the base end to the tip end of the needle hub and guides the plunger into the second inner cavity.

[0024] According to this configuration, the pusher can be easily inserted into the second inner cavity by moving the pusher along the guide hole.

[0025] (9) In the implant placement device described in item (1) above, the retaining groove is recessed along a recessed direction from the outer surface of the needle hub toward the second inner cavity, and the retaining groove has an accommodating space at the end in the recessed direction between the pair of open ends for accommodating a portion of the implant, and when the retaining groove is viewed from one of the pair of open ends, the center of the accommodating space may be located on the central axis of the second inner cavity.

[0026] The center of the receiving space is approximately aligned with the center of the implant. Because the center of the receiving space is located on the central axis of the second lumen, the pusher can reliably receive the implant. In addition, the implant is pushed evenly by the pusher. This makes it easy to deliver the implant to the desired location within the living body.

[0027] (10) In the implant placement device according to any one of the above items (1) to (9), the tip of the pusher may have an engaging recess for hooking the implant inserted into the holding groove.

[0028] With this configuration, the embedding body can be easily received in the engaging recess, and therefore the embedding body can easily move together with the plunger.

[0029] (11) In the implant placement device described in item (1) above, the needle hub may have a holding portion having the holding groove and a guide portion provided on the base end side of the holding portion, and the guide portion may have a guide groove that opens on the outer surface of the guide portion and whose tip is connected to the base end of the holding groove.

[0030] According to this configuration, the embedding body can be easily moved into the holding groove by moving the embedding body along the guide groove.

[0031] (12) The implant placement device according to the above item (11) may have a reinforcing portion provided from the outer surface of the holding portion to the outer surface of the guide portion.

[0032] With this configuration, even though the holding groove is formed in the holding portion, the rigidity of the holding portion can be ensured by the reinforcing portion.

[0033] According to the present disclosure, a fibrous implant can be easily placed in a retention groove. Moreover, despite the simple configuration, the implant can be easily delivered into the body and released and retained within the body.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a main portion of an implant placement device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a main portion of the vicinity of a retaining groove in the implant placement device, as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. FIG. 3 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a state in which a puncture needle of the implant placement device has been inserted into the body of a living organism, as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. FIG. 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a state in which an implant is placed in the retaining groove and a pusher is inserted into the needle hub, as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a state in which the pusher, having received an implant in the retaining groove, has advanced from the retaining groove toward the distal end, as viewed from the axial direction. FIG. 6 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a state in which the tip of the pusher is exposed from the distal end of the first lumen of the puncture needle, as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which an implant has been placed inside the body (subcutaneously). FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a main portion of the vicinity of a retaining groove in an implant placement device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Fig. 9 is a schematic side cross-sectional view, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, of a state in which an implant has been inserted into the holding groove from the state shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a schematic side cross-sectional view, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, of a state in which the cover has returned to its original position from the state shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a schematic side cross-sectional view, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, of the opening and closing of the elastic cover. Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the main parts of an implant placement device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the main parts of an implant placement device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a schematic side cross-sectional view, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, of a state in which an implant has been placed in the holding groove and a pusher has been inserted into the needle hub. Fig. 15 is a schematic side cross-sectional view, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, of a state in which the pusher, having received the implant in the holding groove, has advanced from the holding groove toward the distal end. Fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view of the main parts of an implant placement device according to a modified example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the main parts of an implant placement device 10 according to the first embodiment. The implant placement device 10 is a device for placing an implant FB inside the body BD of a living organism (see FIG. 3). The implant FB is fibrous (thread-like), for example, made of collagen fibers. As shown in FIG. 2, the cross section of the implant FB in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction can approximate a substantially circular shape. The implant FB exhibits a certain degree of elasticity. The length of the implant FB along the longitudinal direction (fiber length) is, for example, 5 cm to 10 cm.

[0036] The implant placement device 10 comprises a puncture needle 12, a needle hub 20, and a plunger 60. The puncture needle 12 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a first lumen 14. The tip of the puncture needle 12 is sharply tapered, with a cutting edge 16 at its most distal end. In the procedure for placing the implant FB in the body BD, the skin SK (see FIG. 3 ) is often incised with a scalpel. It is easy to insert the puncture needle 12 into the incised skin SK. Therefore, the most distal end of the puncture needle 12 does not need to be sharp enough to be able to penetrate the skin SK. In other words, it is not necessary to form the cutting edge 16 on the puncture needle 12. Therefore, a non-bevel needle can also be used as the puncture needle 12.

[0037] The needle hub 20 has a holding portion 22 located on the distal end side and a guide portion 50 located on the proximal end side. The puncture needle 12 extends from the distal end of the holding portion 22 toward the distal direction along the axial direction S of the implant placement device 10. Here, the axial direction S of the implant placement device 10 is a direction extending along the central axis CL1 of the first lumen 14 and the central axis CL2 of the second lumen 24.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 2, the holding portion 22 is a hollow portion having a second lumen 24. The distal end of the second lumen 24 is continuous with the proximal end of the first lumen 14. The first lumen 14 and the second lumen 24 extend along the axial direction S of the implant placement device 10. When viewed from the axial direction S, the first lumen 14 and the second lumen 24 have, for example, a perfect circular shape. Fig. 5 illustrates an example in which the second lumen 24 is a perfect circle. When viewed from the axial direction S, the shape of the first lumen 14 and the second lumen 24 may be an ellipse or an oval.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the first lumen 14 has a central axis CL1, and the second lumen 24 has a central axis CL2. The central axis CL1 is located on an extension of the central axis CL2. The inner diameter of the first lumen 14 and the inner diameter of the second lumen 24 may be the same or different. The holding portion 22 has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter larger than that of the puncture needle 12. Therefore, the outer surface 23 of the holding portion 22 is a curved surface that curves in the circumferential direction.

[0040] The second lumen 24 has an intersection 26, a distal lumen 28 distal to the intersection 26, and a proximal lumen 30 proximal to the intersection 26. The distal lumen 28, the intersection 26, and the proximal lumen 30 are aligned along a central axis CL2 of the second lumen 24. The distal end of the second lumen 24 is the distal end of the distal lumen 28. The proximal end of the second lumen 24 is the proximal end of the proximal lumen 30. The intersection 26 is the portion that intersects with a retaining groove 32, which will be described below.

[0041] The holding portion 22 has a holding groove 32 for setting (hanging) the implant FB. The holding groove 32 is a groove formed by cutting out a portion of the outer surface 23 of the holding portion 22. The holding groove 32 is recessed along a recess direction R from the outer surface 23 of the holding portion 22 toward the second lumen 24 and intersects with the second lumen 24. In other words, the holding groove 32 communicates with the second lumen 24. Both ends of the holding groove 32 in the width direction W are a pair of open ends 34. Hereinafter, one of the pair of open ends 34 will be referred to as a first open end 34a, and the other of the pair of open ends 34 will be referred to as a second open end 34b. Hereinafter, the width direction W is a horizontal direction intersecting the central axis CL1 and the central axis CL2.

[0042] In the illustrated example, the retaining groove 32 has an intermediate opening 36 that is located between the pair of open ends 34 in the circumferential direction and opens to the outer surface 23 of the retaining portion 22, an accommodation space 38 that is an end of the retaining groove 32 in the recessed direction R, and an introduction passage 40 that connects to the intermediate opening 36 and the accommodation space 38 in the recessed direction R. Both ends of the intermediate opening 36, the introduction passage 40, and the accommodation space 38 in the width direction W connect to the first open end 34a and the second open end 34b, respectively.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows the holding portion 22 as viewed from the second open end 34b. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the introduction passage 40 has a first inclined surface 42a located on the distal end side and a second inclined surface 42b located on the proximal end side. The first inclined surface 42a is inclined toward the proximal end side as it extends in the recessed direction R. Conversely, the second inclined surface 42b is inclined toward the distal end side as it extends in the recessed direction R. Therefore, the introduction passage 40 narrows from the intermediate opening 36 toward the accommodation space 38. However, it is not necessary for the introduction passage 40 to be narrowed. As in FIG. 8, the clearance between the inner surface of the introduction passage 40 located on the proximal end side and the inner surface of the introduction passage 40 located on the distal end side may be constant along the recessed direction R.

[0044] 2 , an entrance 44 from the introduction passage 40 to the accommodation space 38 is formed by a clearance between the end of the first inclined surface 42a in the recessed direction R and the end of the second inclined surface 42b in the recessed direction R. The distance between the end of the first inclined surface 42a in the recessed direction R and the end of the second inclined surface 42b in the recessed direction R is a dimension at the entrance 44 that is perpendicular to the recessed direction R and along the axial direction S. When the entrance 44 and the embedding body FB are viewed from the second open end 34b, the dimension D1 of the entrance 44 is slightly smaller than a diameter D3 of the embedding body FB, which is a dimension at the entrance 44 that is perpendicular to the recessed direction R and along the axial direction S.

[0045] The accommodation space 38 is a through-hole that is approximately perpendicular to the intersection 26 of the second lumen 24, and has, for example, a substantially circular shape when viewed from the second open end 34b. When the accommodation space 38 and the implant FB are viewed from the second open end 34b, the accommodation space 38 has a diameter D2, which is a dimension perpendicular to the recess direction R and along the axial direction S, that is larger than the diameter D3 of the implant FB. Therefore, the diameter (dimension) D2 of the accommodation space 38 is larger than the dimension D1 of the inlet 44.

[0046] 1 , the guide portion 50 of the needle hub 20 has a guide hole 52. The guide portion 50 and the guide hole 52 taper in diameter from the proximal end to the distal end. The guide hole 52 guides the plunger 60 into the proximal lumen 30 of the second lumen 24, as will be described later.

[0047] The pusher 60 is, for example, a cylindrical rod whose cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pusher 60 is a perfect circle. The cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pusher 60 may be an ellipse or an oval. In Fig. 5, a case where the cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pusher 60 is a perfect circle is shown by a solid line, and a case where the cross section is an ellipse is shown by a virtual line. As the user presses the base end of the pusher 60 toward the distal end with their hand, the pusher 60 moves toward the distal end along the central axis CL1 and the central axis CL2.

[0048] 1 and 2, an engagement recess 62 is formed at the tip of the pusher 60. The engagement recess 62 is recessed at the tip of the pusher 60 along the axial direction S toward the base end and has a U-shaped groove shape that extends along the width direction W.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 2, the center O1 of the accommodation space 38 of the retaining groove 32 is located on the central axis CL2 of the second lumen 24. Although exaggerated in Fig. 2, the center O1 of the accommodation space 38 substantially coincides with the center O2 of the implant FB. Therefore, the center O2 of the implant FB is substantially located on the central axis CL2 of the second lumen 24.

[0050] The implant placement device 10 according to the first embodiment is basically configured as described above. Next, a method of using the implant placement device 10 will be described. Note that the user in the following description refers to a practitioner who uses the implant placement device 10, and is typically a doctor or technician.

[0051] 3, to place the implant FB (see FIGS. 1 and 2) in the body BD of a patient (living body), the user places the cutting edge 16 at the tip of the puncture needle 12 against the patient's skin SK and inserts the puncture needle 12 into the interior (subcutaneous) of the body BD from the cutting edge 16. If the puncture needle 12 does not have a cutting edge 16, the user makes an incision in part of the skin SK with a scalpel or the like and inserts the puncture needle 12 into the interior (subcutaneous) of the body BD from the incision.

[0052] Next, as shown in FIG. 1 , the user places the implant FB in the holding groove 32 of the needle hub 20. Specifically, the user inserts the intermediate portion between the one end FBe and the other end of the implant FB into the holding groove 32 so that, for example, about 1 cm of one end FBe of the implant FB is exposed from the first open end 34a and, for example, about 6 cm to 8 cm of the other end is exposed from the second open end 34b. Here, the holding groove 32 has the intermediate opening 36, the introduction passage 40, the entrance 44, and the storage space 38 as described above (see FIG. 2 ). The user inserts the intermediate portion of the implant FB into the introduction passage 40 through the intermediate opening 36.

[0053] At this time, the user may abut the outer surface of the middle portion of the implant FB against the first inclined surface 42a or the second inclined surface 42b. The first inclined surface 42a is inclined toward the base end as it moves toward the recess direction R, and the second inclined surface 42b is inclined toward the tip end as it moves toward the recess direction R. Therefore, the implant FB abutting against the first inclined surface 42a or the second inclined surface 42b moves through the introduction passage 40 while sliding along the first inclined surface 42a or the second inclined surface 42b, and reaches the accommodation space 38 via the entrance 44. In this way, by providing the introduction passage 40 with the first inclined surface 42a and the second inclined surface 42b, the implant FB can be easily guided into the accommodation space 38.

[0054] The dimension D1 of the inlet 44, measured in a direction perpendicular to the recession direction R and along the axial direction S, is slightly smaller than the diameter D3 of the implant FB in its natural state. In contrast, the dimension (diameter) D2 of the accommodation space 38, measured in a direction perpendicular to the recession direction R and along the axial direction S, is larger than the diameter D3 of the implant FB in its natural state. Therefore, when the implant FB passes through the inlet 44, it is pushed by the ends of the first inclined surface 42a and the second inclined surface 42b, causing it to elastically contract and reduce in diameter. After passing through the inlet 44 and moving into the accommodation space 38, the implant FB elastically expands. This causes the diameter of the implant FB to return to the diameter D3 in its natural state. It is difficult for the implant FB, which has expanded in the accommodation space 38, to pass through the inlet 44 and move into the introduction passage 40. In this way, by making the dimension D1 of the entrance 44 slightly smaller than the diameter D3 of the embedding body FB in its natural state, the embedding body FB is prevented from slipping out of the accommodation space 38 toward the intermediate opening 36 side.

[0055] Next, the user inserts the plunger 60 into the second lumen 24. At this time, the leading end of the plunger 60 may abut against the inner surface of the guide hole 52. In this case, the plunger 60 slides relative to the inner surface of the guide hole 52. Because the guide hole 52 is a tapered hole whose diameter decreases toward the distal end, the plunger 60 moves toward the distal end as it slides along the inner surface of the guide hole 52. Therefore, the leading end of the plunger 60 is inserted into the proximal lumen 30 of the second lumen 24, which is continuous with the distal end of the guide hole 52. In this manner, the inner surface of the guide hole 52 guides the plunger 60 into the proximal lumen 30 (the proximal end of the second lumen 24). At this point, the plunger 60 is positioned in the second lumen 24 closer to the proximal end of the retaining groove 32.

[0056] Next, the user manually pushes the base end of the plunger 60 toward the distal end. Accordingly, the plunger 60 moves toward the distal end along the base end lumen 30. Because the intersection 26 of the second lumen 24 intersects with the retaining groove 32, when the plunger 60 reaches the intersection 26, the leading end of the plunger 60 comes into contact with the implant FB placed in the retaining groove 32. For example, an intermediate portion of the implant FB is inserted into an engagement recess 62 formed at the distal end of the plunger 60. As the intermediate portion of the implant FB is pushed by the plunger 60, the implant FB moves integrally with the plunger 60 into the distal end lumen 28 of the second lumen 24. As a result, the portion of the implant FB other than the portion inserted into the engagement recess 62 is interposed between the side surface of the plunger 60 and the inner surface of the distal end lumen 28, as shown in FIG. 5 . 5 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the holding portion 22 cut along the width direction W and viewed from the axial direction S when the pusher 60 receiving the implant FB is positioned in the distal end cavity 28.

[0057] As the pusher 60 moves further toward the distal end, the pusher 60 and the implant FB move further toward the distal end along the first lumen 14 of the puncture needle 12. As shown in Fig. 6, the tip of the pusher 60 is exposed from the tip of the first lumen 14, and the implant FB is pushed out into the body BD (subcutaneously).

[0058] Next, the user moves the implant placement device 10 so that the puncture needle 12 and the plunger 60 are removed from the body BD. As a result, as shown in Fig. 7 , the puncture needle 12 and the plunger 60 are removed from the body BD while the implant FB remains indwelled in the body BD.

[0059] The first embodiment has the following advantages.

[0060] The implant placement device 10 includes a puncture needle 12 to be inserted into the body BD of a patient (living body), a needle hub 20 located at the proximal end of the puncture needle 12, and a pusher 60 that pushes the fibrous implant FB held by the needle hub 20 toward the puncture needle 12. The puncture needle 12 has a first lumen 14 that extends along the axial direction S of the implant placement device 10.

[0061] The needle hub 20 has a second lumen 24 that extends along the axial direction S and connects to the base end of the first lumen 14, and a holding portion 22 that holds the implant FB. The holding portion 22 has a holding groove 32 that is recessed along a recess direction R from the outer surface 23 of the holding portion 22 toward the second lumen 24 and intersects with the second lumen 24. The holding groove 32 has a pair of open ends 34 provided at both ends in a direction intersecting with the recess direction R.

[0062] According to this configuration, the embedding body FB can be easily installed in the holding groove 32 by hooking the embedding body FB into the holding groove 32 so that the embedding body FB is exposed from a pair of open ends 34 in the holding groove 32.

[0063] The tip of the pusher 60 is movable from a position (proximal lumen 30) that is more proximal than the retaining groove 32 in the second lumen 24 to a position more distal than the tip of the first lumen 14. When the pusher 60 moves through the second lumen 24 toward the first lumen 14, the tip of the pusher 60 receives the implant FB placed in the retaining groove 32 at the intersection 26 of the second lumen 24.

[0064] The fibrous implant FB held in the holding groove 32 of the holding portion 22 is pushed by the tip of the pusher 60 moving from the second lumen 24 toward the first lumen 14. In this state, the tip of the pusher 60 is exposed from the tip of the first lumen 14 together with the implant FB. As can be seen from this, by moving the pusher 60 distally along the second lumen 24 and the first lumen 14, the implant FB can be pushed out into the body BD of the patient (living body). Thereafter, by moving the pusher 60 proximally along the first lumen 14 and the second lumen 24, the implant FB is placed in the body BD of the living body. Thus, with the above configuration, the implant FB can be delivered and placed in the body BD of the living body based on a simple operation.

[0065] Furthermore, the implant FB can be placed in the body BD by inserting the plunger 60 into the first lumen 14 of the puncture needle 12, thereby reducing the number of parts of the implant placement device 10. This allows for a simplification of the configuration of the implant placement device 10.

[0066] The retaining groove 32 has an intermediate opening 36, an accommodation space 38, and an introduction passage 40. The intermediate opening 36 is located between a pair of open ends 34 (first open end 34a and second open end 34b) and opens to the outer surface 23 of the retaining portion 22. The accommodation space 38 is an end of the retaining groove 32 in the recessed direction R and accommodates a portion (intermediate portion) of the implant FB between the first open end 34a and the second open end 34b. The introduction passage 40 connects the intermediate opening 36 and the accommodation space 38 in the recessed direction R. When the retaining groove 32 is viewed from the second open end 34b (or the first open end 34a), which is one of the pair of open ends 34, a dimension D1 of an entrance 44 from the introduction passage 40 to the accommodation space 38 is smaller than the dimension (diameter D2) of the accommodation space 38. Here, the dimension D1 and the diameter D2 are perpendicular to the recessed direction R and along the axial direction S.

[0067] In this case, when the embedding body FB is passed through the introduction passage 40 and into the accommodation space 38, the embedding body FB is pressed against the inner surfaces of the entrance 44 (the ends of the first inclined surface 42a and the second inclined surface 42b) at the entrance 44 leading from the introduction passage 40 to the accommodation space 38, causing the embedding body FB to contract due to its elasticity. When the embedding body FB moves into the accommodation space 38, it expands due to its elasticity and returns to its original shape. The diameter D3 of the embedding body FB that has returned to its original shape is larger than the dimension D1 of the entrance 44. Therefore, the embedding body FB is prevented from detaching from the retention groove 32 via the introduction passage 40 from the accommodation space 38. In other words, the entrance 44 prevents the embedding body FB from slipping out of the intermediate opening 36.

[0068] The introduction passage 40 of the holding groove 32 narrows from the intermediate opening 36 toward the accommodation space 38 .

[0069] Since the intermediate opening 36 is wide, it is easy to insert the embedding body FB into the intermediate opening 36. Furthermore, since the embedding body FB is guided by the narrowing introduction passage 40, it is easy to make the embedding body FB reach the accommodation space 38.

[0070] The needle hub 20 has a guide hole 52 that tapers in diameter from the proximal end to the distal end of the needle hub 20. The guide hole 52 guides the plunger 60 into the proximal lumen 30 of the second lumen 24.

[0071] By moving the push rod 60 along the inner surface of the guide hole 52 , the push rod 60 can be easily inserted into the proximal lumen 30 of the second lumen 24 .

[0072] When the retaining groove 32 is viewed from the second open end 34b (or the first open end 34a), which is one of the pair of open ends 34, the center O1 of the accommodating space 38 is located on the central axis CL2 of the second inner cavity 24.

[0073] The center O1 of the accommodation space 38 substantially coincides with the center O2 of the implant FB. Because the center O1 of the accommodation space 38 is located on the central axis CL2 of the second lumen 24, the implant FB is pushed evenly by the plunger 60. This makes it easy to place the implant FB at a desired position within the living body BD.

[0074] The tip of the plunger 60 has an engaging recess 62 for hooking the embedding body FB inserted (placed) in the holding groove 32 .

[0075] When the implant FB moves in the distal direction, the engagement recess 62 can receive the implant FB. Preferably, the implant FB is caught (engaged) in the engagement recess 62. This makes it easy for the implant FB to move together with the plunger 60.

[0076] Next, an implant placement device 80 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. Note that components that are the same as or correspond to those shown in Figures 1 to 6 are given the same names, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0077] 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a main part of the holding portion 82 of the needle hub 20 constituting the implant placement device 80 according to the second embodiment. Note that the implant placement device 80, except for the holding portion 82, is configured in accordance with the implant placement device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0078] A retaining groove 84 is formed in the retaining portion 82. The retaining groove 84 has a pair of open ends 86 (a first open end 86a and a second open end 86b), an intermediate opening 88, an accommodation space 90, and an introduction passage 92. The introduction passage 92 has a first inner surface 94a on the distal end side and a second inner surface 94b on the proximal end side. In the second embodiment, when the retaining groove 84 is viewed from the second open end 86b, the dimension of the introduction passage 92 along the axial direction S and the dimension of the accommodation space 90 along the axial direction S are approximately equal to each other. In other words, the distance between the first inner surface 94a and the second inner surface 94b in the recess direction R is approximately constant.

[0079] The holding portion 82 has a stopper portion 93 provided on the distal edge of the intermediate opening 88. The stopper portion 93 protrudes slightly toward the proximal end beyond the first inner surface 94a. The holding portion 82 has a guide inclined surface 95 formed on the proximal edge of the intermediate opening 88. The guide inclined surface 95 inclines toward the distal end as it extends toward the recess direction R (introduction passage 92).

[0080] The holding portion 82 has a cover 96. A base end 97a of the cover 96 is connected to the vicinity of the distal end of the guide inclined surface 95, for example, on the second inner surface 94b, via a rotating shaft 98. The rotating shaft 98 is combined with a torsion coil spring (not shown) to form a hinge. The torsion coil spring biases the distal end 97b of the cover 96 toward the stopper portion 93. The distal end 97b of the cover 96, biased by the torsion coil spring, abuts against the stopper portion 93. This places the cover 96 in a closed state. In other words, the intermediate opening 88 is closed by the cover 96.

[0081] When using the implant placement device 80, the user places the implant FB in the holding groove 84 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Here, a guide inclined surface 95 is formed in the intermediate opening 88. The user may abut the outer surface of the intermediate portion of the implant FB against the guide inclined surface 95. The guide inclined surface 95 is inclined toward the tip side as it moves toward the recess direction R. Therefore, the implant FB abutting against the guide inclined surface 95 moves through the intermediate opening 88 while sliding along the guide inclined surface 95, and abuts against the cover 96 in the closed state. In this way, by providing the guide inclined surface 95 in the intermediate opening 88, the implant FB can be easily guided into the cover 96.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 8 , when the user pushes the implant FB toward the accommodation space 90 (inside the holding groove 84), a pressing force P is applied from the implant FB to the cover 96. That is, the cover 96 is pushed by the implant FB. This causes the cover 96 to rotate around the rotation shaft 98. As a result, the tip end 97b of the cover 96 moves away from the stopper portion 93 and moves toward the accommodation space 90, which is inside the holding groove 84. This causes the cover 96 to enter an open state, and the intermediate opening 88 is released. Therefore, the intermediate portion of the implant FB passes through the introduction passage 92 and reaches the accommodation space 90.

[0083] As the middle portion of the embedment FB reaches the accommodation space 90, it moves away from the cover 96. In other words, the embedment FB is no longer in contact with the cover 96. Therefore, the cover 96 is released from the pressing force P of the embedment FB. Based on this, the cover 96 is biased by the torsion coil spring and rotates around the rotation shaft 98. Based on this, as shown in FIG. 9, the tip end 97b of the cover 96 moves toward the intermediate opening 88 and abuts against the stopper portion 93. As a result, the cover 96 is in the closed state as shown in FIG. 10. That is, the intermediate opening 88 is closed.

[0084] Next, the user pushes the plunger 60 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and moves the plunger 60 from the second lumen 24 toward the first lumen 14. Thereafter, the implant placement device 80 is operated as described above, and the implant FB is placed in the patient's body BD, as shown in FIG.

[0085] In addition to the above-described effects, the second embodiment has the following effects.

[0086] The holding groove 84 has an intermediate opening 88 that opens to the outer surface 23 of the holding portion 82 and continues to the pair of open ends 86 (first open end 86 a and second open end 86 b). The holding portion 82 has a cover 96 that can open or close the intermediate opening 88.

[0087] By opening the cover 96 to open the intermediate opening 88 and placing the embedding body FB in the holding groove 84, and then closing the cover 96 to close the intermediate opening 88, the embedding body FB can be prevented from coming off the intermediate opening 88. In this way, the cover 96 prevents the embedding body FB from coming off the intermediate opening 88.

[0088] When a pressing force P toward the inside of the holding groove 84 is applied to the cover 96, the cover 96 rotates toward the inside of the holding groove 84, thereby becoming an open state. When the pressing force P is released, the cover 96 rotates toward the intermediate opening 88, thereby becoming a closed state.

[0089] Therefore, when inserting the embedment FB into the holding groove 84, the cover 96 can be easily opened by pressing the embedment FB against the cover 96. Furthermore, when the embedment FB is inserted into the holding groove 84 and separates from the cover 96, in other words, when the embedment FB is no longer in contact with the cover 96, the cover 96 returns to the closed state. Thus, with this configuration, the cover 96 can be easily opened and closed.

[0090] It is preferable to set the elastic force of the torsion coil spring to a small value. This allows the cover 96 to be easily opened and closed even when the implant FB is pressed against the cover 96 with a relatively small force. Therefore, the implant FB can be inserted into the accommodation space 90 while avoiding damage to the implant FB.

[0091] Next, with reference to FIG. 11, an implant placement device 81 according to a modified example of the second embodiment will be described.

[0092] FIG. 11 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the implant placement device 81 having an elastically deformable cover 120, as viewed in the width direction W. The cover 120 has a first flexible portion 122, a turn portion 124, and a second flexible portion 126. By folding back at the turn portion 124, the cover 120 forms a generally U-shape when viewed in the width direction W. The end of the first flexible portion 122 is positioned and fixed to the holding portion 82, for example, by a connecting pin 128. Alternatively, the first flexible portion 122 may be integrally molded with the holding portion 82 to exhibit flexibility. The second flexible portion 126 is connected to the first flexible portion 122 via the turn portion 124. The tip of the second flexible portion 126 separably abuts against a stopper portion 93 provided on the distal edge of the intermediate opening 88. The cover 120 exhibits excellent elasticity overall.

[0093] In FIG. 11 , solid lines indicate the cover 120 in the closed state. In this case, the tip of the second flexible portion 126 abuts against the stopper portion 93. When the implant FB is inserted into the holding groove 84, the implant FB is pressed against the second flexible portion 126 of the cover 120. This applies a force to the second flexible portion 126 in the recess direction R. As a result, as shown by the imaginary lines in FIG. 11 , the first flexible portion 122 near the turn portion 124 bends toward the base end. Furthermore, the second flexible portion 126 bends such that the portion near the turn portion 124 bends toward the base end and the tip bends toward the accommodation space 90. Accordingly, the tip of the second flexible portion 126 moves away from the stopper portion 93. In other words, the cover 120 undergoes elastic deformation to enter the open state.

[0094] Therefore, the embedding body FB easily passes through the cover 120 and reaches the accommodation space 90. As the embedding body FB passes through the cover 120, the cover 120 is released from the force acting in the recess direction R. As a result, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 11 , the cover 120 returns to its original shape and assumes a closed state. That is, the cover 120 undergoes elastic deformation to assume a closed state. The cover 120 in the closed state prevents the embedding body FB from slipping out of the accommodation space 90.

[0095] In this case, too, the cover 120 can be easily opened and closed based on its elastic deformation.

[0096] Next, an implant placement device 100 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Note that components that are the same as or correspond to those shown in Figs. 1 to 11 are given the same names, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0097] 12 is a schematic perspective view of the main parts of the implant placement device 100 according to the third embodiment. Note that the implant placement device 100 has the same configuration as the implant placement device 10 according to the first embodiment, except for the holding portion 102 of the needle hub 20.

[0098] A retaining groove 104 is formed in the cylindrical portion 108 of the retaining portion 102. A pair of open ends 106 (a first open end 106a and a second open end 106b) and an intermediate opening 107 are shown in Figure 12. The retaining groove 104 may have a configuration similar to the retaining groove 32 shown in Figure 2 or the retaining groove 84 shown in Figure 8. Alternatively, the retaining groove 104 may have a different configuration from the retaining grooves 32, 84.

[0099] The holding portion 102 has a cylindrical portion 108 and a reinforcing portion 110 that protrudes from the outer surface 23 of the cylindrical portion 108 in the width direction W. In this case, the reinforcing portion 110 has a first wide portion 112a that is generally flat and a second wide portion 112b that is generally flat. The first wide portion 112a and the second wide portion 112b are located on opposite sides of the holding groove 104, with the central axis CL2 (see FIG. 1 ) of the second lumen 24 as the boundary. In the holding portion 102, the portion where the reinforcing portion 110 is provided to protrude in the width direction W is wider than the cylindrical portion 108.

[0100] The first wide portion 112a and the second wide portion 112b extend along the axial direction S. The tips of the first wide portion 112a and the second wide portion 112b are located distally of the tips of the retaining grooves 104. The base ends of the first wide portion 112a and the second wide portion 112b are located proximal to the base ends of the retaining grooves 104. Therefore, the lengths of the first wide portion 112a and the second wide portion 112b along the axial direction S are greater than the length of the retaining grooves 104 along the axial direction S. Therefore, the reinforcing portion 110 can ensure rigidity in the portion of the tubular portion 108 that is circumferentially opposite the portion where the retaining grooves 104 are formed.

[0101] The implant placement device 100 is operated in the same manner as the implant placement device 10 according to the first embodiment and the implant placement device 80 according to the second embodiment.

[0102] In addition to the above-described effects, the third embodiment has the following effects.

[0103] The holding portion 102 of the needle hub 20 has a reinforcing portion 110 provided on the outer surface 23 of the holding portion 102 on the opposite side of the holding groove 104 with the central axis CL2 of the second lumen 24 as the boundary.

[0104] According to this configuration, even though the holding groove 104 is formed in the holding portion 102, the rigidity of the holding portion 102 can be ensured by the reinforcing portion 110.

[0105] Next, an implant placement device 200 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 15. Note that components that are the same as or correspond to those shown in Figures 1 to 12 are given the same names, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0106] 13 , the implant placement device 200 includes the puncture needle 12, a needle hub 201, and a plunger 60. The needle hub 201 has a holding portion 202 located at the distal end and a guide portion 220 located at the proximal end. The distal end of the second lumen 204 of the holding portion 202 is continuous with the proximal end of the first lumen 14 of the puncture needle 12.

[0107] A retaining groove 206 is formed in the retaining portion 202. The retaining groove 206 is a through groove that extends slightly along the axial direction S from the base end toward the tip end of the retaining portion 202. The retaining groove 206 has a pair of open ends 210 (a first open end 210a and a second open end 210b) that open toward the width direction W on the outer surface of the retaining portion 202. The retaining groove 206 intersects with the second inner cavity 204.

[0108] The guide portion 220 has a guide hole 222. The guide portion 220 and the guide hole 222 taper in diameter from the base end to the tip. The guide portion 220 has a guide groove 224. The guide groove 224 is a pair of through grooves formed from the inner surface to the outer surface of the guide portion 220, communicating with the guide hole 222 and opening at the outer surface of the guide portion 220. The guide groove 224 has an insertion opening 226 at the base end of the guide portion 220, and extends from the base end to the tip of the guide portion 220 in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction S. The tip of the guide groove 224 is continuous with the base end of the holding groove 206. The insertion opening 226 is an opening that tapers from the base end to the tip. The insertion opening 226 may be linear.

[0109] 13 , the implant placement device 200 has a reinforcing portion 230 that is provided from the outer surface of the holding portion 202 to the outer surface of the guide portion 220. However, the reinforcing portion 230 is not essential. In other words, the implant placement device 200 does not have to include the reinforcing portion 230.

[0110] The pair of reinforcing portions 230 are provided at positions offset from the retaining groove 206 and the guide groove 224 in the circumferential direction of the outer surface of the retaining portion 202 and the outer surface of the guide portion 220. In the illustrated example, the reinforcing portions 230 are a pair of triangular connecting ribs that connect the outer surface of the retaining portion 202 and the outer surface of the guide portion 220.

[0111] 13 shows the state before the implant FB is held in the holding groove 206. Next, a method of using the implant placement device 200 will be described.

[0112] 14 , the user inserts the puncture needle 12 subcutaneously into the patient's skin. Next, the user inserts the implant FB into the guide groove 224 through the insertion opening 226 at the base end of the guide groove 224. After that, the user grasps the end of the implant FB exposed from the opening in the width direction W of the guide groove 224 and moves the implant FB toward the tip. Because the tip of the guide groove 224 is continuous with the base end of the holding groove 206, the implant FB moves from the guide groove 224 to the holding groove 206.

[0113] In this way, by moving the embedding body FB along the guide groove 224, the embedding body FB can be easily moved into the holding groove 206. The embedding body FB that has moved into the holding groove 206 may or may not abut against the inner surface of the tip of the holding groove 206. Figure 14 shows a case where the embedding body FB is not abutting against the inner surface of the tip of the holding groove 206.

[0114] As in the first embodiment, it is preferable that one end of the implant FB is exposed from the first open end 210a by, for example, about 1 cm, and the other end is exposed from the second open end 210b by, for example, about 6 cm to 8 cm.

[0115] 14 , the user inserts the plunger 60 into the second lumen 204. At this time, the leading end of the plunger 60 may be brought into contact with the inner surface of the guide hole 222. In this case, the plunger 60 moves toward the leading end while sliding relative to the inner surface of the guide hole 222. As a result, the leading end of the plunger 60 is inserted into the base end of the second lumen 204.

[0116] Next, the user manually pushes the base end of the plunger 60 toward the distal end. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 15 , the plunger 60 moves toward the distal end along the second lumen 204. Because the second lumen 204 and the holding groove 206 intersect, the leading end of the plunger 60 comes into contact with the implant FB placed in the holding groove 206. The middle portion of the implant FB is inserted, for example, into the engagement recess 62 formed at the tip of the plunger 60. As the middle portion of the implant FB is pushed by the plunger 60, the implant FB moves integrally with the plunger 60 toward the distal end of the second lumen 204 and moves into the first lumen 14 of the puncture needle 12. As shown in FIG. 6 , the tip of the plunger 60 is exposed from the distal end of the first lumen 14, and the implant FB is pushed out subcutaneously.

[0117] Next, the user moves the implant placement device 200 in the direction of removal from the subcutaneous tissue. As a result, the puncture needle 12 and the plunger 60 are removed from the subcutaneous tissue with the implant FB remaining indwelled subcutaneously, as in Fig. 7 .

[0118] In addition to the same effects as the first embodiment, the fourth embodiment has the effect that the embedding body FB can be easily moved to the holding groove 206 by moving the embedding body FB along the guide groove 224.

[0119] Next, with reference to FIG. 16, an implant placement device 250 according to a modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0120] The implant placement device 250 has a guide hole 253, a guide groove 254, and an insertion hole 256 formed in a guide portion 252 of a needle hub 251. In the implant placement device 250, the guide groove 254 extends from the middle toward the tip in the axial direction S of the guide portion 252. Therefore, the base end of the guide groove 254 is located in the middle (between the tip and base end) of the guide portion 252 in the axial direction S.

[0121] The insertion hole 256 has one end on the outer surface of the guide portion 252, is recessed in the direction toward the guide groove 254, and extends along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction S. The other end of the insertion hole 256 is continuous with the base end of the guide groove 254. The opening at one end of the insertion hole 256 is an insertion opening 258. The insertion opening 258 is a tapered hole whose diameter tapers from the outer surface of the guide portion 252 toward the guide groove 254.

[0122] The holding portion 202 has the same configuration as the holding portion 202 shown in FIG.

[0123] When using the implant placement device 250, the user inserts the implant FB into the insertion hole 256 through the insertion opening 258. Because the insertion opening 258 is a tapered hole, it is easy to insert the implant FB into the insertion hole 256. Next, the user moves the implant FB along the insertion hole 256. This causes the implant FB to reach the base end of the guide groove 254. Thereafter, the implant FB is placed subcutaneously by the same operations as when using the implant placement device 200 (see FIG. 15 ).

[0124] In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the cylindrical holding portions 22, 82, 102, and 202 are exemplified, but the holding portions 22, 82, 102, and 202 are not limited to being cylindrical. For example, the holding portions 22, 82, 102, and 202 may be polygonal cylindrical.

[0125] In the illustrated example, the retaining grooves 32, 84, 104, 206 extend along the width direction W, but the retaining grooves 32, 84, 104, 206 may extend in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction S and the width direction W.

[0126] It is not essential to form the engagement recess 62 on the pusher 60. In other words, the tip of the pusher 60 may be a flat surface.

[0127] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments.

Claims

1. An implant placement device comprising: a puncture needle to be inserted into the body of a living organism, a needle hub located at the base end of the puncture needle, and a pusher for pushing a fibrous implant held by the needle hub toward the puncture needle, wherein the puncture needle has a first lumen extending along the axial direction of the implant placement device, the needle hub has a second lumen extending along the axial direction and connected to the base end of the first lumen, and a holding groove for holding the implant, the holding groove having a pair of open ends respectively provided on either side of the second lumen in a direction intersecting the second lumen and communicating with the outer surface of the needle hub, and the tip of the pusher is movable from a position in the second lumen that is more proximal than the holding groove to a position more distal than the tip of the first lumen, and the pusher receives the implant held in the holding groove at its tip as it moves from the second lumen toward the first lumen.

2. An implant placement device as described in claim 1, wherein the retaining groove is recessed along a recessed direction from the outer surface of the needle hub toward the second lumen, the retaining groove having an intermediate opening that opens onto the outer surface of the needle hub, an accommodating space that is an end in the recessed direction and between the pair of open ends and accommodates a portion of the implant, and an introduction passage that is connected to the intermediate opening and the accommodating space in the recessed direction, the intermediate opening, the introduction passage and the accommodating space each being connected to the pair of open ends, and when the retaining groove is viewed from one of the pair of open ends, the dimension in a direction perpendicular to the recessed direction at the entrance from the introduction passage to the accommodating space is smaller than the dimension in the accommodating space in a direction perpendicular to the recessed direction.

3. An implant placement device as described in claim 1, wherein the retaining groove is recessed along a recessed direction from the outer surface of the needle hub toward the second lumen, the retaining groove having an intermediate opening that opens onto the outer surface of the needle hub, an accommodating space that is an end in the recessed direction and between the pair of open ends and accommodates a portion of the implant, and an introduction passage that is connected to the intermediate opening and the accommodating space in the recessed direction, the intermediate opening, the introduction passage and the accommodating space each being connected to the pair of open ends, and the introduction passage narrows as it goes from the intermediate opening toward the accommodating space.

4. An implant placement device as described in claim 1, wherein the retaining groove has an intermediate opening that opens on the outer surface of the needle hub and communicates with the pair of open ends, and the needle hub has a cover that can open or close the intermediate opening.

5. An implant placement device as described in claim 4, wherein the cover is opened by rotating toward the inside of the retaining groove when a pressing force is applied toward the inside of the retaining groove, and is closed by rotating toward the intermediate opening when the pressing force is released.

6. An implant placement device as described in claim 4, wherein the cover elastically deforms to an open state when a pressing force is applied toward the inside of the retaining groove, and elastically deforms to its original shape to a closed state when the pressing force is released.

7. An implant placement device as described in claim 1, wherein the needle hub has a reinforcing portion provided on the outer surface of the needle hub on the opposite side of the retaining groove with respect to the central axis of the second inner cavity.

8. An implant placement device as described in claim 1, wherein the needle hub tapers in diameter from the base end to the tip end of the needle hub and has a guide hole therein for guiding the pusher into the second lumen.

9. An implant placement device as described in claim 1, wherein the retaining groove is recessed along a recessed direction from the outer surface of the needle hub toward the second inner cavity, the retaining groove is an end in the recessed direction and has a storage space between the pair of open ends for storing a portion of the implant, and when the retaining groove is viewed from one of the pair of open ends, the center of the storage space is located on the central axis of the second inner cavity.

10. An implant placement device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the tip of the pusher has an engagement recess for hooking the implant inserted into the retaining groove.

11. An implant placement device as described in claim 1, wherein the needle hub has a holding portion having the holding groove and a guide portion provided on the base end side of the holding portion, and the guide portion has a guide groove that opens on the outer surface of the guide portion and has a tip that connects to the base end of the holding groove.

12. The implant placement device according to claim 11, further comprising a reinforcing portion extending from the outer surface of the holding portion to the outer surface of the guide portion.

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