Patent ID: 6473633
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
A device for insertion into tissue comprising a helical element with an open central area and a water-soluble or water-dispersible cap for said helical element, the cap for said helical element having a surface shape in a cross-section in which surface variations are present in the cross-section which create a surface orientation where at least one radius comprising a line from a center of the cross-section intersects a surface of the cap at a point of intersection, and a line perpendicular to said at least one radius at the point of intersection with said surface forms four quadrants, three of said four quadrants containing water-soluble or water-dispersible cap material extending from the point of intersection, wherein said surface variations are located on the cap in a position such that, when the device is inserted into a body, said surface variations are only exposed to substances external to the cap to dissolve the cap, and wherein the surface variations increase a surface area of the cap as compared to a cap of the same maximum outside diameter of the cross-section without such surface variations for decreasing the time for dissolution of said cap in water.