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Publication Number
US-9113950-B2
Publication Date
2015-08-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and device are provided for delivery of biologics to an intervertebral disc. Device described herein include a needle assembly and handle assembly that optimize biologic delivery parameters to a target location within a disc. The needle assembly includes the capability of advancing into the disc at pre-configured pathways that allow for minimized damaged and maximized positioning of the biologic.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a minimally invasive device for delivering a therapeutic to a target location in relation to a target site. An elongated hollow needle has a first end, a hollow shaft, and a second end, with openings in communication along the hollow shaft and a tip configured to allow insertion of the needle tip to the target site. The hollow shaft is sufficiently rigid to maintain a pre-insertion shape during insertion of the needle tip to the target site.
The device further includes a cannula that sits internally within the hollow shaft of the needle. The cannula is configured to advance along the shaft of the needle and through the opening at the tip of the needle, such that the distal end of the cannula exits the tip in a preconfigured single constant-radius arch to full extension. A catheter sits internally within the cannula and is independently advanced in relation to the needle and cannula, with the catheter capable of advancement through the preconfigured single constant-radius arch and into the target location.
Once positioned in the target location, the device is capable of delivering the therapeutic through the catheter to the target location in relation to the target site. In a related embodiment, the device includes an adapter with a port for connection to the therapeutic and configured to reduce shearing force on the therapeutic once the therapeutic enters the adapter, with delivery through the cannula of the needle assembly to the target location within the target site.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims: one comprehensive needle/cannula/catheter delivery device, a simplified needle-and-cannula device variant, and a needle assembly with an adapter designed to reduce shearing force. Across these independent claims, the core is the internal cannula advancing through a preconfigured single constant-radius arch while an independently advanced component delivers the therapeutic to a target location.
Pre-shaped rigid hollow needle maintains pre-insertion shape
An elongated hollow needle with a hollow shaft sufficiently rigid to maintain a pre-insertion shape during insertion of the needle tip to the target site.
Internally advanced cannula exits in a preconfigured single constant-radius arch
A cannula that sits internally within the shaft of the needle and advances along the length of the needle through the opening at the tip, with a distal end configured to exit the tip in a preconfigured single constant-radius arch to full extension.
Independently advanced catheter traverses the preconfigured arch to the target location
A catheter that sits internally within the cannula and is independently advanced in relation to the needle and cannula, capable of advancement through the preconfigured single constant-radius arch at the distal end of the cannula and into the target location, with delivery of the therapeutic through the catheter once positioned in the target location.
Therapeutic delivery through cannula at the target location
A device with a sufficiently rigid elongated hollow needle and a cannula that advances through the needle tip in a preconfigured single constant-radius arch to full extension, where the device once positioned at the target location is capable of delivering a therapeutic through the cannula to the target location.
Adapter with port reduces shearing force on the therapeutic
An adapter operably attaches to the needle assembly, includes a port for connection to the therapeutic, and is configured to reduce shearing force on the therapeutic once the therapeutic enters the adapter, with the device delivering the therapeutic through the cannula to the target location within the target site.
Across the independent claims, the inventive focus is on using a sufficiently rigid hollow needle that enables an internal cannula to exit the needle tip as a preconfigured single constant-radius arch, coupled either with an independently advanced catheter for delivery to the target location or with an adapter/port that supports therapeutic delivery through the cannula while reducing shearing force.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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