Kit for and method of assembling an applicator for inserting an implant

1. A kit for assembling a disposable applicator for inserting an implant under the skin of a human or animal, the kit comprising: a first component comprising a main housing part, an actuator, a cannula, and a cannula holder, wherein the main housing part provides a handle for grasping and maneuvering the applicator, wherein the handle comprises a guiding means extending between the actuator and the main housing part, wherein the actuator is able to slide on the handle via the guiding means, wherein the cannula holder is slideably mounted in the main housing part and is fixed to the cannula and is designed to retract the cannula into the main housing part, wherein the main housing part has an opening at its proximal end which allows a user to insert the implant into a funnel-shaped entrance at a proximal end of the cannula holder located in the main housing part, the proximal end of the cannula holder being opposite to an insertion end of the cannula, and a second component separate from the first component for closing said opening, the second component comprising a second housing part and a rod, the second housing part at least partially complementary in shape to the main housing part and attachable thereto to form a single housing enclosing the cannula holder completely and so that the opening is thereby substantially completely closed, the rod being attached to or forming an integral whole with the second housing part, wherein the rod is mountable inside the cannula or the cannula holder, wherein the actuator is connected to the cannula holder so as to enable, once assembled, retracting the cannula and the cannula holder over the rod, wherein the implant is a non-biodegradable rod measuring 40 mm in length and 2 mm in diameter and containing etonogestrel.

2. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second components are provided with complementary features for irreversibly attaching the main housing part to the second housing part.

3. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein a distance between the opening and a proximal end of a lumen of the cannula or the cannula holder is less than 20 mm.

4. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of a lumen of the cannula is provided with a funnel-shaped entrance.

5. The kit according to claim 4 , wherein a diameter of a narrowest portion of the funnel-shaped entrance of the cannula or the cannula holder is equal to or smaller than an inner diameter of the cannula.

6. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises a mechanism having a lever extending along at least part of the cannula, wherein the lever is rotatable or slidable or flexible between a first position, wherein the implant is secured inside the cannula or the cannula holder, and a second position, wherein the implant is disengaged.

7. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein the second housing part is irreversibly mechanically attached to the main housing part.

8. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein the assembled kit is enclosed within a sterile package.

9. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein the opening in the main housing part for introduction of the implant is closed by attachment of the second component to the first component.

10. The kit according to claim 1 , wherein the second component is configured so that the rod is mounted in the cannula or cannula holder by attachment of the second component to the first component.