Instrument for implanting sensors and solid materials in a subcutaneous location and method thereof

Abstract

An implantation instrument for implanting a substantially solid material, including solid medication or drugs, in a subcutaneous location and method are described. An incising shaft includes a beveled tip with a cutting edge along a distal end. A syringe body is affixed to a proximal end of the incising shaft. The syringe body and the incising shaft each define a substantially non-circular hollow bore extending continuously along a shared longitudinal axis. The incising shaft bore does not exceed the syringe body bore in girth. Both the incising shaft bore and the syringe body bore are sized to receive the solid material. A plunger is conformably shaped to the syringe body bore and has an end piece facilitating deployment of the plunger assembly. The plunger slidably fits within the syringe body bore and advances the solid material through the syringe body bore and the incising shaft bore into the subcutaneous location.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An implantation instrument for implanting a substantially solid material in a subcutaneous body location, comprising: 
 an incising shaft defining a substantially non-circular hollow bore extending continuously along a longitudinal axis with a beveled tip forming a cutting edge on a distal end thereof, the incising shaft bore being sized to receive a substantially solid material for implant; and    a delivery mechanism receiving the incising shaft and comprising a pushing device facilitating deployment of the substantially solid material through the incising shaft bore and into an implantation site.    
     
     
         2 . An implantation instrument in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a syringe body defining a substantially non-circular hollow bore extending continuously along a longitudinal axis and sized to receive the solid material; and    the pushing device comprising a plunger slidably fitted within the syringe body bore, the plunger conformably shaped to the syringe body bore with an end piece facilitating deployment of the substantially solid material into an implantation site.    
     
     
         3 . An implantation instrument in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the incising shaft, the syringe body, and the pushing device are formed with a substantially continuous curve along a commonly shared ventral side.  
     
     
         4 . An implantation instrument in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the delivery mechanism comprises at least one of a syringe and plunger assembly, an automated compressed gas injection system, and a mechanical injection system.  
     
     
         5 . A subcutaneous implantation instrument for implanting a substantially solid material, comprising: 
 an incising body comprising a syringe body and an incising shaft which each define a substantially non-circular hollow bore extending continuously along a shared longitudinal axis, the incising shaft comprising a beveled tip with a cutting edge on a distal end, the incising shaft bore and the syringe body bore both being sized to receive the solid material; and    a delivery assembly comprising a plunger slidably fitted within the syringe body bore, the plunger conformably shaped to the syringe body bore with an end piece facilitating deployment of the substantially solid material into an implantation site.    
     
     
         6 . An implantation instrument for implanting a substantially solid material in a subcutaneous location, comprising: 
 an incising shaft comprising a beveled tip with a cutting edge along a distal end thereof;    a syringe body affixed to a proximal end of the incising shaft, the syringe body and the incising shaft each defining a substantially non-circular hollow bore extending continuously along a shared longitudinal axis, the incising shaft bore not exceeding the syringe body bore in girth, both the incising shaft bore and the syringe body bore being sized to receive the solid material; and    a plunger conformably shaped to the syringe body bore and having an end piece facilitating deployment of the plunger assembly, the plunger slidably fitting within the syringe body bore and advancing the solid material through the syringe body bore and the incising shaft bore into the subcutaneous location.    
     
     
         7 . An implantation instrument in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the non-circular bore has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group comprising, and which is substantially shaped as, an oval, rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, and similar equilateral or non-equilateral shapes.  
     
     
         8 . An implantation instrument in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the solid material comprises at least one of a data transmitter and a sensor collecting at least one of physiological measures and chemical measures.  
     
     
         9 . An implantation instrument in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the solid material comprises a medication.  
     
     
         10 . A method for implanting a substantially solid material in a subcutaneous location, comprising: 
 inserting a beveled tip of an incising shaft with a cutting edge along a distal end thereof into an implantation site, a proximal end of the incising shaft being affixed to a distal end of a syringe body, the syringe body and the incising shaft each defining a substantially non-circular hollow bore extending continuously along a shared longitudinal axis, the incising shaft bore not exceeding the syringe body bore in girth, both the incising shaft bore and the syringe body bore being sized to receive the solid material;    advancing the solid material through the syringe body bore and the incising shaft bore into the subcutaneous location through deployment of a plunger conformably shaped to the syringe body bore, the deployment being effected via actuation of an end piece on a distal end of the plunger, the plunger slidably fitting within the syringe body bore.    
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the non-circular bore has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group comprising, and which is substantially shaped as, an oval, rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, and similar equilateral or non-equilateral shapes.  
     
     
         12 . A method in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the solid material comprises at least one of a data transmitter and a sensor collecting at least one of physiological measures and chemical measures.  
     
     
         13 . A method in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the solid material comprises a medication.