METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING AND POSITIONING SHEET-LIKE MATERIALS

摘要

An implant delivery system for delivering a sheet-like implant is disclosed. The device includes an implant spreader assembly disposed proximate the distal end of a delivery shaft. The implant spreader assembly includes a first arm and a second arm. The arms are coupled to the delivery shaft such that the first arm and second arm are moveable between a closed position and an open position. When the first and second arms are in the closed position, the arms extend generally in the longitudinal direction. When pivoting to the open position the distal end of each arm travels in a generally transverse direction to spread a sheet-like implant.

主权项

1. An implant delivery system for delivering a sheet-like implant, the implant delivery system comprising:
a delivery shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the delivery shaft having a longitudinal axis;an implant retainer assembly at the distal end of the delivery shaft including a post, the post including a first finger and a second opposed finger extending distally from the delivery shaft;
wherein the first finger and the second opposed finger together define a slot therebetween dimensioned to receive and adapted to releasably hold a sheet-like implant between the first and second fingers; an implant spreader assembly proximate the distal end of the delivery shaft, the implant spreader assembly including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm being moveable between a closed position and an open position; wherein in the closed position distal ends of the first arm and the second arm are positioned at a first distance from the longitudinal axis; wherein in the open position the distal ends of the first and second arms are positioned at a second distance from the longitudinal axis greater than the first distance; and wherein the distal ends of the first and second arms are configured to diverge away from one another as the first and second arms move from the closed position to the open position to spread the sheet-like implant positioned in the slot into a planar configuration that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the delivery shaft.