IMPLANTATION NEEDLE AND KIT

Abstract

An implantation needle has an implantable element receiving portion, a capsule receiving portion, and a tip portion. The capsule receiving portion has a fixing element such as a mechanical barrier or an adhesive surface. A kit is also provided that includes the implantation needle with an implantable element disposed in the implantable element receiving portion and a capsule disposed in the capsule receiving portion. The instant disclosure also relates to a method for administering an implantable element and a capsule to a subject. The method includes inserting an implantation needle of the implantation kit into a tissue of a subject and discharging the implantable element and capsule into the patient's tissue.

Claims

1. An implantation needle, comprising: an open needle body having a tip portion; an implantable element receiving portion configured to receive an implantable element; a capsule receiving portion configured to receive a capsule; and a fixing element configured to retain the capsule within the capsule portion, the fixing element comprising one of a mechanical barrier and an adhesive surface.

2. The implantation needle of claim 1, wherein the fixing element comprises the mechanical barrier and the mechanical barrier is selected from the group consisting of a tongue, a crimp, a bulge, a spring element, and a taper.

3. The implantation needle of claim 1, wherein the fixing element comprises the adhesive and the adhesive is shear thickening, biocompatible, and/or biodegradable.

4. An implantation kit, comprising: the implantation needle of claim 1; an implantable element disposed in the implantable element receiving portion; and a capsule disposed in the capsule receiving portion.

5. The implantation kit of claim 4, wherein the capsule comprises a pharmaceutical compound.

6. The implantation kit of claim 5, wherein the capsule further comprises a biodegradable polymer excipient.

7. The implantation kit of claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutical compound comprises a compound configured to improve tolerance of the implantable element in the body of a subject.

8. The implantation kit of claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutical compound comprises an immunosuppressive, anti-allergic, and/or anti-inflammatory agent.

9. The implantation kit of claim 5, wherein the pharmaceutical compound comprises dexamethasone or a derivative thereof.

10. The implantation kit of claim 4, wherein the implantable element is a sensor or a cannula.

11. The implantation kit of claim 4, wherein the implantation needle is configured for simultaneous implantation of the implantable element and the capsule into the body of a subject.

12. A method for administering an implantable element and a capsule to a subject, said method comprising: providing an implantation kit according to claim 4; inserting the implantation needle into a tissue of a subject and discharging the implantable element and the capsule into the tissue.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method is a method of self-administration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] The above-mentioned aspects of exemplary embodiments will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0078] FIG. 1 shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the implantation kit of this disclosure;

[0079] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1; and

[0080] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 along axis A-A′.

DESCRIPTION

[0081] The embodiments described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of this disclosure.

[0082] In FIGS. 1 to 3, an exemplary embodiment of an implantation needle 110 and an implantation kit 126 is shown in various views. Therein, FIG. 1 shows a top view, FIG. 2 shows a front view, and FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view through the implantation needle 110 along axis A-A′ (denoted by reference number 130) in FIG. 1. As shown, e.g., in FIG. 1 or 3, the implantation kit 126 comprises the implantation needle 110, at least one implantable element 122 and at least one capsule 120.

[0083] The implantation needle 110 has a generally open needle body and a plurality of portions, which are shown in FIG. 1. Thus, in this embodiment, the implantation needle 110 comprises, e.g., in the given order in a direction towards a tip 128 of the implantation needle 110, the following portions (also referred to herein as “sections”): [0084] at least one an implantable element receiving portion 112, [0085] at least one capsule receiving portion 114, and [0086] at least one tip portion 116.

[0087] In the implantation kit 126 as shown in the Figures, the at least one implantable element 122 is fully or at least partially received in the at least one implantable element receiving portion 112, and the capsule 120 is fully or at least partially received in the at least one capsule receiving portion 114. The tip portion 116, as an example, may be empty. The implantable element 122 and the capsule 120 may fully be received in an inner lumen 124 of the implantation needle 110 or each may also slightly protrude through slot 125, such as shown for the capsule 120 in FIG. 3. Still, even when protruding from the slot 125, the dimensions and the geometries of the implantable element 122, the capsule 120 and the slot 125 may be chosen such that the implantable element 122 and the capsule 120 may not leave the inner lumen 124 in a direction perpendicular to longitudinal axis 130 and may only slide in a direction parallel to axis 130.

[0088] The portions 112, 114, 116 may be portions of the implantation needle 110, which, may, e.g., be embodied as a slotted implantation needle. The implantation needle 110 may, e.g., be punched from a sheet of appropriate material, such as a metal, and/or be embossed to the form as shown. The implantation needle 110 may, however, also be cylindrically closed. The portions may be separated by separating elements, such as protrusions or a tip of the fixing element 118 described in further detail below, or may simply be separated by virtual lines. In the portions, the implantation needle 110 may have identical diameters or equivalent diameters. Alternatively, the diameters or equivalent diameters of the portions may differ.

[0089] In the capsule receiving portion 114, the implantation needle 110 comprises a fixing element 118 for fixing the capsule 120 and for preventing the capsule 120 from unwanted sliding towards the tip 128. The fixing element 118, as an example, may be in the form of a tongue, which may in particular be punched from the material of the implantation needle 110 and bent to a form obstructing the inner lumen of the implantation needle 110, which is shown in the front view of FIG. 2 or in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3.

[0090] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the Figures, the order of the respective portions is implantable element receiving portion 112, capsule receiving portion 114, and tip portion 116. Thus, the at least one fixing element 118 restrains the capsule 120 from moving towards tip portion 116 in the absence of external force. Upon exertion of external force, in particular a force along axis A-A′ in the direction of tip portion 116, the tongue serving as fixing element 118 is forced downward in the configuration of FIGS. 2 and 3, thereby unblocking the inner lumen of implantation needle 110. Thus, the fixing element 118, as an example, may be embodied as a spring element and/or may have elastic properties. As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing element 118 may obstruct the lumen of the implantation needle 110, thereby preventing the capsule 120 and the implantable element 122 from moving in the direction of the tip portion 116. The fixing element 118, via the capsule 120, may further prevent the implantable element 122 from moving towards the tip 128. Thus, the fixing element 118 may prevent both the capsule 120 and the implantable element 122 from moving in the direction of tip portion 116.

[0091] The capsule 120 may be produced according to methods in principle known in the art (Meyer et al. (2012), Retina 32:2133; Fialho & da Silva Cunha (2005), Drug Delivery 12(2): 109). For an implantation period of about 30 days, the capsule 120 may have a cylindrical form with, e.g., a diameter of 0.67 mm and a length of about 1.8 mm.

[0092] While exemplary embodiments have been disclosed hereinabove, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0093] 110 implantation needle [0094] 112 implantable element receiving portion [0095] 114 capsule receiving portion [0096] 116 tip portion [0097] 118 fixing element [0098] 120 capsule [0099] 122 implantable element [0100] 124 inner lumen of implantation needle [0101] 125 slot [0102] 126 implantation kit [0103] 128 tip [0104] 130 axis