Patent ID: 8066689
Filing Date: 2011-11-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of placing an implantable device within a submucosal layer, comprising: elevating a mucosal layer by injecting a fluid into the submucosal layer using a needle assembly; inserting a submucosal tunneling instrument into the elevated mucosal layer said submucosal tunneling instrument comprising an elongate tubular member having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough and an expandable member having proximal and distal ends wherein the proximal end of said expandable member is attached to the distal end of said tubular member and the distal end of said expandable member is everted and positioned within the lumen of said tubular member; operating said submucosal tunneling instrument to expand distally to create an elongate tunnel in the submucosal layer; removing the submucosal tunneling instrument from said elongate tunnel; positioning a submucosal dissecting instrument within the elongate tunnel formed by said tunneling instrument, said submucosal dissecting instrument discrete from said tunneling instrument such that said submucosal dissecting instrument is separately insertable from said submucosal tunneling instrument into said elongate tunnel; operating said submucosal dissecting instrument to expand radially, within the elongate tunnel to thereby dissect a large area having a diameter larger than the diameter of said elongate tunnel; and depositing a drug delivery device within the large area created by the submucosal dissecting instrument.