Instrument for implanting sensors and solid materials in a subcutaneous location and method thereof

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides an implantation instrument and method of use for implanting sensors and other solid materials in a subcutaneous or other site.
As used herein, "subcutaneous" refers generally to those implantation sites located within a body below the skin.
The implantation instrument consists of an incising shaft attached to a syringe body.
The syringe body and incising shaft both define a substantially non-circular hollow bore for accommodating the sensor or solid material.
The subcutaneous site is formed by a cutting edge on the distal end of the incising shaft.
The subcutaneous site can be cleared using a clearing trocar slidably received within the hollow bore.
The sensor or solid material is advanced through the hollow bore and delivered into the subcutaneous site.
The depth of the subcutaneous site can be limited using a penetration limiting mechanism.
An embodiment of the present invention is an implantation instrument for implanting a substantially solid material in a subcutaneous body location.
An incising shaft defines a substantially non-circular hollow bore extending continuously along a longitudinal axis.
The incising shaft has a beveled tip forming a cutting edge on a distal end thereof and is sized to receive a substantially solid material for implant.
The solid material, which can include a sensor, is preferably protected against damage by encasement within, for example, a mannitol pellet or similar carrier.
The solid material can also be encased in titanium, silicone, epoxy, or other similar, functionally inert protective material.
A delivery mechanism receives the incising shaft and includes a pushing device facilitating deployment of the substantially solid material through the incising shaft bore and into an implantation site.
A further embodiment of the present invention is a subcutaneous implantation instrument for implanting a substantially solid material.
An incising body includes a syringe body and an incising shaft.
The syringe body and the incising shaft each define a substantially non-circular hollow bore extending continuously along a shared longitudinal axis