Rod Implant Delivery Device With Interlock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering therapeutic implants into the eye are invasive, traumatic, and prone to damage, making it difficult to maintain therapeutic drug levels and achieve reproducible placement.
Innovation Solution
A handheld implant delivery device with a cannula, plunger, dispense button, and prime button that allows for a non-invasive, controlled ejection of rod-shaped implants into the eye, featuring a status window for user confirmation of priming and dispensing, and a design that minimizes handling and trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional surgical methods are used to deliver implants into the eye, then the implant can be delivered to the target location, but the procedure causes excessive trauma and requires invasive incisions with suturing
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is nested within the hollow interior of the needle, allowing the implant to be delivered through a small gauge needle without requiring separate delivery instruments or large incisions. This eliminates the need for suturing while minimizing trauma to the eye.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle serves as an intermediary delivery vehicle that protects the fragile implant during handling and insertion, then delivers it directly to the target location in the eye through a minimally invasive path, avoiding the need for complex surgical incisions.
2Ease of operation
If manual grasping devices are used to handle the implant, then the implant can be placed in the eye, but the fragile implant is at risk of being damaged or broken
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is nested within the protective hollow interior of the needle, which shields the fragile polymer-based implant from mechanical damage during handling, insertion, and delivery, eliminating the need for manual grasping that could cause breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle acts as a protective intermediary that cradles and protects the fragile implant throughout the delivery process, allowing manipulation and placement without direct contact with grasping devices that could damage the implant structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If invasive surgical procedures are used for implant delivery, then the implant can be delivered to various locations, but the procedure requires extensive handling and creates risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is nested within the needle for protected delivery to various locations including the vitreous, anterior chamber, and other ocular sites, maintaining versatility while eliminating the need for extensive external handling that could cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle serves as a versatile intermediary delivery system that can reach multiple ocular locations through different insertion paths, protecting the implant throughout the journey to the target site without requiring manual manipulation at the delivery location.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are devices and methods for delivering medical implants into a patient, such as intravitreally. In one exemplary implementation, an implant delivery device includes an elongated body, cannula, plunger, dispense button and prime button. The cannula is sized and configured to slidably receive a rod-shaped implant. The plunger is slidably received within the cannula. The delivery device is configured to be operated by a user moving the prime button from a locked position to an unlocked position, and subsequently moving a dispense button from an extended position to a depressed position, thereby causing the plunger to move from a retracted position to a distally extended position to eject the implant from a distal portion of the cannula. The device may further include an interlock mechanism that prevents the cap from moving from an attached position to a detached position when the prime button is in the locked position.