Method and devices for implantation of biologic constructs

1. A method of delivering a sheet-like implant to a joint within the body of a patient, said method comprising:

creating an arthroscopic workspace around the joint and inserting a cannula through the skin of the patient proximate the arthroscopic workspace;

providing a sheet-like implant;

providing an implant holder assembly configured to hold the sheet-like implant, said implant holder assembly comprising a first leg and a second leg, a first slot disposed in a distal end of the first leg and a second slot disposed in a distal end of the second leg, said first leg and second leg movable between a closed and open position, wherein the first and second legs form an open-ended implant holder in the open position;

releasably attaching the sheet-like implant to the first slot and second slot of the implant holder assembly;

moving the first leg and second leg such that the implant holder assembly and implant fit, in a closed position, through the cannula;

inserting the implant holder assembly and implant, in the closed position, through the cannula and into the arthroscopic workspace;

moving the first leg and second leg in the open position within the workspace, wherein in the open position, the implant has a generally planar configuration that is substantially parallel to the first leg and second leg, and positioning the implant proximate an intended site of implantation;

releasing the implant from the implant holder assembly;

moving the first leg and second leg to the closed position and removing the implant holder assembly from the workspace; and

securing the implant to body tissue within the workspace.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first leg and second leg comprise a superelastic material biased to the open position, such that the legs may be forced in apposition to each other to fit into the cannula and thereafter superelastically open upon exit from a distal end of the cannula.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first leg and second leg comprise a resilient material biased to the open position, such that the legs may be forced in apposition to each other to fit into the cannula and thereafter resiliently open upon exit from a distal end of the cannula.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the joint is a shoulder.

5. A method of delivering a sheet-like implant to a treatment site within the body of a patient, said method comprising:

creating a workspace around the treatment site and inserting a cannula through the skin of the patient proximate the workspace;

providing a sheet-like implant;

providing an implant delivery system, said implant delivery system comprising an elongate insertion portion, said implant delivery system further comprising a first leg and a second leg, said legs operably connected to hold the sheet-like implant, said legs pivotably attached to a distal end of the elongate insertion portion, said legs movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the first and second legs form an open-ended implant holder in the open position, and wherein each leg is configured with a slot for grasping the implant;

moving the legs into a closed position with the sheet-like implant engaged such that the legs and implant fit, in the closed position, through the cannula;

inserting the legs and implant, in the closed position, through the cannula and into the workspace;

moving the legs and implant into the open position within the workspace, wherein in the open position, the implant has a generally planar configuration that is substantially parallel to the legs, and positioning the sheet proximate an intended site of implantation;

releasing the implant from the legs;

moving the legs into the closed position;

removing the implant delivery system from the workspace;

securing the implant to body tissue within the workspace.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the first leg and second leg comprise a superelastic material biased to the open position, such that the legs may be forced in apposition to each other to fit into the cannula and thereafter superelastically open upon exit from a distal end of the cannula.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the first leg and second leg comprise a resilient material biased to the open position, such that the legs may be forced in apposition to each other to fit into the cannula and thereafter resiliently open upon exit from a distal end of the cannula.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the joint is a shoulder.

9. A method for delivering a sheet-like implant to a target site, the method comprising:

positioning a sheet-like implant retained on an implant delivery device proximate the target site, the implant delivery device comprising:

a delivery shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis;

an implant holder assembly proximate the distal end of the delivery shaft, the implant holder assembly including a first leg and a second leg, the first leg and the second leg moveable between a closed position and an open position, a first slot disposed in the distal end of the first leg and a second slot disposed in the distal end of the second leg, wherein the first and second legs form an open-ended implant holder assembly in the open position;

wherein, in the closed position, distal ends of the first leg and the second leg are positioned at a first distance from the longitudinal axis;

wherein, in the open position, the distal ends of the first and second legs are positioned at a second distance from the longitudinal axis greater than the first distance with the sheet-like implant releasably attached to the first slot and second slot; and

wherein the distal ends of the first and second legs are configured to diverge away from one another as the first and second legs move from the closed position to the open position to spread the sheet-like implant into a planar configuration that is substantially parallel to the first and second legs;

moving the first leg and the second leg from the closed position to the open position to spread the sheet-like implant into the planar configuration; and

separating the sheet-like implant from the implant delivery device.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising attaching the sheet-like implant to the target site.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising moving the first leg and the second leg from the open position to the closed position and withdrawing the implant delivery device from the implant site.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the joint is a shoulder.