APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY INTRODUCING IMPLANTS INTO SOFT TISSUE WITH ADJUSTABLE SPACING

摘要

Apparatus (1, 27, 201, 301) and a method for depositing multiple implants (3) carrying radioactive isotopes, pharmacological agents or transgenes, in soft tissue (5) including tumors and organs with precise, selectable spacing between implants includes an introducer (23, 213, 303) in the form of a tube which is inserted into the soft tissue and an obturator (37, 217, 331) for pushing implants out of the introducer one at a time. An operating mechanism (39, 203, 307) incrementally withdraws the introducer while the obturator remains stationary thereby depositing a single implant. The obturator is then coupled to the introducer for the remainder of the stroke to provide the spacing. In a preferred embodiment, the introducer is resequenced to lay down parallel rows of implants. An indicator (113, 115) records the total number of implants deposited. The distal end (25) of the introducer is configured to retain the implants and allow them to be discharged into the soft tissue singly. The invention is particularly suited, but not limited, to depositing the implants using laparoscopic or thorascopic techniques.