Implant applicators and methods of administering implants
Embodiments described herein relate generally to medical implant delivery apparatuses and methods. In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a first cap, a needle hub at least partially disposed within the first cap, a pusher wire and a pusher wire connector disposed within the needle hub, a needle and a second cap. The first cap includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. The needle includes a first, beveled end configured to receive an implant, and a second end disposed within a hub pocket of the needle hub. The second cap is connected to the needle hub and disposed at a proximal end of the first cap. The pusher wire, the pusher wire connector, and the needle are substantially aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis of the first cap. In some embodiments, the pusher wire is sized to be received in the bore of the needle.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a first cap;
a second cap including a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis;
a needle hub connected to the second cap;
a pusher wire and a pusher wire connector disposed within the needle hub;
a needle including a first beveled end configured to receive an implant, and a second end disposed within a hub pocket of the needle hub, the first cap connected to the needle hub and disposed at a proximal end of the second cap, wherein the pusher wire, the pusher wire connector, and the needle are substantially aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis of the second cap; and
an applicator including a wheel axle and a wheel hub operably configured to move a shuttle using a thread connected to the wheel hub and the shuttle, wherein movement of the shuttle causes movement of the pusher wire.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pusher wire is dimensioned such that it can be received in the bore of the needle.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pusher wire is configured to engage, upon attachment to the applicator and during use, with an actuator the shuttle of the applicator.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one implant disposed within the needle, wherein the applicator is configured to advance, during use, a single implant through the beveled end of the needle upon a predetermined partial rotation of a wheel rim associated with the wheel axle and the wheel hub.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the implant is a medical implant.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the implant is an ocular implant.
7. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the implant is an intracameral implant.
8. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the implant is a biodegradable implant.
9. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the implant is a sterile implant.
10. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the implant includes travoprost.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second cap comprises a bristle retainer at least partially disposed therewithin at the distal end thereof, the bristle retainer having a bristle at least partially disposed therewithin;
wherein the needle hub is at least partially disposed within the second cap;
the apparatus further comprising at least one implant disposed within the needle.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the bristle retainer includes a bristle retainer hub having one or more ribs on an exterior surface thereof, the one or more ribs configured to interference fit with the second cap.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the needle hub includes one or more ribs on an exterior surface thereof, the one or more ribs configured for interference fit with the second cap.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the needle and the needle hub are connected to one another.
15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the needle and the needle hub are connected to one another with an adhesive.
16. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the bristle is partially fixed within the bristle retainer.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the bristle is partially fixed within the bristle retainer with an adhesive.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the second cap includes a bristle retainer at least partially disposed therewithin at the distal end thereof, the bristle retainer having a bristle at least partially disposed therewithin; and
at least one implant disposed within the needle, and the needle and the at least one implant are substantially aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis of the cap.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the applicator comprises a handle that is configured to actuate, and the pusher wire is configured such that, with each actuation of the applicator handle during use, a single implant disposed within the bore of the needle is linearly advanced.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein
the bristle retainer is at least partially disposed within at the distal end of the second cap;
the needle includes a bore that runs longitudinally from the first end to the second;
the second end of the needle is partially disposed within the hub pocket and is opposite to the connection of the applicator to the needle hub; and
wherein at least one implant is disposed longitudinally within the needle bore.
21. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the first cap includes a proximal end and a distal end;
the needle hub includes a distal end, a proximal end and a hub pocket contained within the needle hub;
such that:
(a) the second end of the needle is disposed within the hub pocket of the needle hub;
(b) the first cap is cooperatively engaged with the needle hub;
(c) the second end of the needle is partially disposed within the hub pocket;
(d) the second cap is reversibly connected to the needle hub and disposed at the distal end of the first cap such that when the proximal end of the second cap is reversibly connected to the needle hub, the beveled end of the needle is disposed within the second cap; and
(e) the pusher wire, the pusher wire connector, and the needle are substantially aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis of the second cap.