Surgical implant

Abstract

An implant is disclosed including a bio-compatible implant body that can be provided with a tip, or interconnected by one or more filaments. The implant body can be formed of a variety of biocompatible materials, including bio-remodelable materials such as small intestine submucosa. Methods are disclosed for assembly of the implant. Additionally, a method is disclosed for delivering the implant to a desired location in a patient.

1 . A medical device comprising a plurality of implant bodies and a first filament, wherein the plurality of implant bodies are disposed on the first filament.  
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of implant bodies comprise a bio-remodelable material.  
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the bio-remodelable material comprises an extracellular matrix.  
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the extracellular matrix is small intestine submucosa.  
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein one or more of the plurality of implant bodies is spherical in shape.  
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein one or more of the plurality of implant bodies is cylindrical in shape.  
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein one or more of the plurality of implant bodies is cuboid in shape.  
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein one or more of the plurality of implant bodies is ellipsoid in shape.  
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 3 , further comprising a passageway extending through one or more of the plurality of implant bodies, the passageway being configured to receive a wire guide.  
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 3 , further comprising a radiopaque marker operably connected to at least one of the plurality of implant bodies.  
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the first filament comprises a plurality of filaments operably connected to form a net, wherein the plurality of implant bodies are further disposed on the plurality of filaments.  
     
     
         12 . A medical device, comprising: 
 an implant body comprising an exterior periphery; and    a penetrating member connected to the implant body, the penetrating member comprising a penetrating portion and an expanding portion located adjacent to the penetrating portion.    
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the penetrating portion is configured to pierce a bodily tissue.  
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 13 , further comprising a passageway extending axially through the implant body and the penetrating member.  
     
     
         15 . The medical device of  claim 14 , wherein the penetrating member further comprises a shank located adjacent to the expanding portion, the shank being adapted to secure the implant body to the penetrating member.  
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the penetrating member further comprises an exterior periphery that is larger in size than the exterior periphery of the implant body.  
     
     
         17 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the penetrating member further comprises an exterior periphery that is substantially equal in size to the exterior periphery of the implant body.  
     
     
         18 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the penetrating member further comprises an exterior periphery that is smaller in size than the exterior periphery of the implant body.  
     
     
         19 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the penetrating member is formed of a bio-compatible metal.  
     
     
         20 . The medical device of  claim 19 , wherein the implant body is formed of a bio-remodelable material.  
     
     
         21 . The medical device of  claim 20 , wherein the bio-remodelable material is an extracellular matrix.  
     
     
         22 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the implant body is formed of a bio-resorbable material.  
     
     
         23 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the implant body is formed of a synthetic material.  
     
     
         24 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the penetrating portion defines a cutting edge.  
     
     
         25 . The medical device of  claim 12 , further comprising a passageway extending axially through the implant body and the penetrating member.  
     
     
         26 . The medical device of  claim 25 , wherein the penetrating member further comprises a shank located adjacent to the expanding portion, the shank being adapted to secure the implant body to the penetrating member.  
     
     
         27 . The medical device of  claim 26 , wherein the penetrating member further comprises an external periphery that is substantially equal to the size of the external periphery of the implant body.  
     
     
         28 . The medical device of  claim 27 , wherein the penetrating portion is infundibular.  
     
     
         29 . The medical device of  claim 28  wherein the penetrating portion defines a substantially circular cross-section.  
     
     
         30 . The medical device of  claim 28  wherein the penetrating portion defines a substantially triangular cross-section.  
     
     
         31 . The medical device of  claim 28  wherein the penetrating portion defines a substantially square cross-section.  
     
     
         32 . The medical device of  claim 12 , further comprising a solid shank located adjacent to the expanding portion, the shank being adapted to secure the implant body to the penetrating member.  
     
     
         33 . A medical device, comprising: 
 an implant body having an outside diameter, the implant body being formed from an extracellular material;    a penetrating member connected to the implant body, the penetrating member comprising: 
 a piercing tip;  
 an expanding portion located adjacent to the piercing tip, the expanding having an outside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the implant body;  
 a shank located adjacent to the expanding portion, the shank being adapted to secure the implant body to the penetrating member; and  
 a passageway extending axially through the implant body and the penetrating member.  
   
     
     
         34 . A method of implanting a medical device, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing the medical device of  claim 33 , an endoscope, and a needle having a distal end;    b) passing the endoscope through a patient's mouth and esophagus;    c) identifying a target location with the endoscope;    d) inserting the distal end of the needle into the target location;    e) delivering the medical device of  claim 33  over the guidewire; and    f) inserting the medical device into the target location; and    g) withdrawing the needle and the endoscope from the patient's mouth and esophagus.