Granted Patent B2

US 12,648,793 · App. 18/046,925 · Granted Jun 9, 2026

Inventors: Beth Fleming (Knoxville, TN); Kristopher C. Hall (Maryville, TN); Benjamin Nibali (Maryville, TN)

Assignee: Beth Fleming

A61B17/3468A61B17/32093A61B2017/00407A61B2017/320052

Abstract

Claims (32)

1 . A method of removing a subcutaneous implant, comprising:

locating an elongated subcutaneous implant below a skin of a patient;

providing an implant removal device, comprising:

a non-planar base having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end slopes upward at an angle of between 10 and 40 degrees, inclusive while the distal end slopes upward at an angle of between 5 and 15 degrees, inclusive and

a pinnacle extending upward from the non-planar base intermediate the proximal end and the distal end, with the pinnacle having a front face and a rear face; placing the non-planar base of the implant removal device onto the skin of the patient such that the proximal end of the non-planar base is proximate a leading end of the elongated subcutaneous implant;

making an incision through the skin of the patient above the leading end of the elongated subcutaneous implant, down to a depth of the leading end;

applying a downward force to the implant removal device while also applying a force against a trailing end of the elongated subcutaneous implant;

urging the leading end of the elongated subcutaneous implant through the incision and against the proximal end of the non-planar base; and

removing the elongated subcutaneous implant from the patient.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the elongated subcutaneous implant is a pharmaceutical delivery implant.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein

applying a downward force to the elongated implant removal device comprises a clinician pressing a thumb against the front face of the pinnacle.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein:

the implant removal device is fabricated from a polycarbonate material; and

the pharmaceutical delivery implant comprises a hormone suppression drug or a contraceptive.

5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein: the pinnacle further comprises:

a first arm on a first side of the non-planar base; inclusive, while the distal end of the base slopes downward at an angle of between 5 and 15 degrees, inclusive; and

the base is non-planar;

and wherein the pinnacle further comprises:

a first arm on a first side of the non-planar base;

a second arm on a second side of the non-planar base opposite the first arm; and

a bridge connecting the first arm, the second arm, and the non-planar base.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein:

the distal end of the non-planar base defines a concave intersection between the bridge and the non-planar base, forming an obtuse angle; and

the proximal end of the non-planar base defines a concave intersection between the front face and the non-planar base, forming an acute angle.

7 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the subcutaneous implant is placed within an upper arm of the patient.

8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

imaging the upper arm of the patient before making the incision in order to verify a subcutaneous location of the subcutaneous implant.

9 . The method of claim 3 , wherein:

the subcutaneous implant defines an elongated cylindrical body;

the distal end of the non-planar base comprises an indentation dimensioned to receive the leading end of the subcutaneous implant; and

the non-planar base is between 3 cm and 6 cm in length.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (18)