Implant introducer

1. A tool configured to deliver a radially compressible hydrogel implant at a surgical site, the tool comprising:

an introducer tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a sloped portion between the proximal end and the distal end, and an interior opening that extends from the proximal end to the distal end through the sloped portion, wherein the interior opening has a circular cross-section throughout its length, wherein diameter of the interior opening decreases through the sloped portion so that the diameter of the interior opening is larger at the proximal end than at the distal end;

a plunger provided inside the introducer tube and configured to travel from the proximal end of the introducer tube toward the distal end of the introducer tube, wherein when the hydrogel implant is positioned inside the introducer tube between the plunger and the distal end of the introducer tube, the hydrogel implant can be urged through the sloped portion and exit through the distal end of the introducer tube, whereby when the hydrogel implant is being urged through the sloped portion, the hydrogel implant is radially compressed;

a handle connected to the introducer tube and extending transversely from the introducer tube; and

a clamp hingeably connected to the handle to be movable between an open position and a closed position and configured to engage the plunger, whereby when the clamp is moved from the open position toward the closed position, the clamp urges the plunger to travel within the introducer tube toward the distal end of the introducer tube and, in turn, urge the hydrogel implant through the sloped portion and exit through the distal end of the introducer tube.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the sloped portion of the introducer tube has inside diameter that progressively reduces in a linear fashion from proximal to distal direction.

3. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the sloped portion of the introducer tube has inside diameter that progressively reduces in at least partially non-linear fashion from proximal to distal direction.

4. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the interior opening is constant between the sloped portion and the distal end of the introducer tube.

5. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the introducer tube comprises an externally threaded portion, and the handle comprises a generally circular internally threaded nut portion configured to receive and threadedly engage the introducer tube.

6. The tool of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the introducer tube near the proximal end includes two slits located opposite each other forming a channel through the introducer tube that receives the clamp and guides the clamp as the clamp moves from the open position toward the closed position.

7. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the introducer tube comprises a flange extending radially outwardly from the proximal end.

8. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the plunger is cylindrical in shape with an enlarged proximal head portion for engaging the clamp.

9. The tool of claim 8 , wherein the enlarged proximal head portion is dome shaped.

10. The tool of claim 8 , wherein the enlarged proximal head portion includes a motion limiter.

11. The tool of claim 10 , wherein the motion limiter comprises one or more knobs, protrusion members and/or other members or features that extend outwardly from the enlarged proximal head portion.

12. The tool of claim 6 , wherein the clamp comprises an elongate member having a proximal portion configured for a user to grip during use of the tool; and a distal portion that is configured to be moved within the channel, wherein the distal portion comprises a distal end that is hingeably connected to the handle.